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I intend to make some changes to my King Tiger. Mainly the Paint work which is fair but certainly not better than my other KT's and so must be changed to achieve the best possible finish.

So it begins,the game is a foot as my favorite detective might say. Jeremy Brett would not stand for this King Tiger being less than perfect nor shall I.

The disassembly is first,as I like to paint things right. More to follow guys I am just getting started.

As PRELUDE i did not like the TORRO light colored pine or the fact that it is not sealed or stained. I used a clear polyurethane sealer and simply brushed it on,the stynciled lettering was aslo in need of some fine touch up but is a quality applied paint which never tried to smear or run when brushed over.

Now the fun begins mate.............

Guys I am involved with another project,this build/detail improvement will have to wait.

I have taken the nice copper tow cables and used them as lid supports for the crate.I think it is a nice touch and if the lid if opened to far will stress the hinges requiring something to control the movement.

I asked for and recieved information about the recoil unit that seems to be faulty.Today after much searching I found a replacement limit switch from the newer type Airsoft guns which appears to be the same switch used on the recoil unit.

I will replace it tonight and try to shot the Video of this tank tomorrow if the rain stops.More to follow,I have decided to install the Waltersons Gearbox,with the multiple pinions,and to repair the paintwork on this fine Henschel King Tiger.

And so it begins,this tank has several issues with the appearance. This is the"Best Torro Pro Edition Henschel King Tiger" they had to offer.Seems the paintwork could be imporved on.

TORRO has been informed of the defects,and certainly it is up to them to address the issues.Perhaps they will seek to change the painting methods and paint type.The main issue being the amount of paint to thinner,and no primer was used anywhere on this tank. Torro has done much for our Hobby,they are certain to continue improving the products,it certainly has been eveident in the last few years.

I had intended to just "FIX" some of the scratches,but this cannot be done without removing the tools,cables and other Hull mounted equipment.

Also the vent covers are in the wrong place to allow Turret rotation. This will not do! The Hull cables are plastic which is a bit disappointing.Although all the tools,pry bar,fire extinguisher are metal. All were glued into place using stand off pegs and holes in the hull.

I used a round drum sanding bit and my dremel to sand down the inside standoff pegs flush,then a center punch and a screw driver Handel were used to tap not force these through the hull.The hull being laid on a piece of foam to support and protect.

The spare track sections mentioned in the Show off post were removed by a single strike from the inner side of the Turret gun house with a punch,they popped right out allowing the tracks to be removed.Recall the pins which are glued into these sections and pass through a hole in the single lower track hanger preventing removal.

This method did not damage the tracks or hangers which even though metal would of certainly broke off long before the pins could be driven out.

All together this has taken 2 hours to disassemble,the recoil is still not working and will require further time to check with a meter and determine the cause. Well I did not want to go through this,but it is a fine tank and deserves to be of fine paint quality if I have the skill.

I shall clean and paint the hull and turret back to this original paint scheme,yet using methods I know to produce a fine result.

We have evolved on this forum,together all of us to a point where the culture IS EXCELLENT and fun being the focus.

I am certainly happy about this fine group of Hobbyist and how far we have all come together in helping one another,demonstrating our individual ideas and skills and enjoying tanks.

Few disputes not resolved like adults,very few complaints and some really fine work. The Henschel King Tiger deserves a fine paint scheme and quality paint.I shall do my best to accomplish this.

But allow me to be clear,TORRO is Hobby minded.And considering the products they continue to bring to us I am not disappointed much at all.To be fair I have painted every tank I own,and even if this were a Tamiya Henschel King Tiger painting would be required and the finshed product would not be as solid or fine a peice of equipmentas this Henschel King Tiger.

I have many pictures to share with everyone,and hopethey may be useful. cheers Blake

Looking forward to seeing how this goes mate.........

I will follow this thread very closely Blake! after having finished my Tiki project, it's the turn of my KöTi (the same model you have)

please, could you explain a bit this sentence?

"Also the vent covers are in the wrong place to allow Turret rotation. This will not do!"

my turret can turn freely the whole 360º (i moved the turn engine in order to be able to install a visaton FRS7 speaker with the biggest wooden box possible). The only issue i can see is that these grills do not let the gun barrel to be completely depressed...


best regards

Notice the vent visible under the cover at the point where the cover starts to curve,the same curvature as the turret circumference.

Now notice in the second picture the outline left by the removed cover.the back edge of the cover should be flush with the back edge of the vent opening.

If moved into the correct position the bottom of the turret drags on the grill.One possible solution is to lower the cover.Another is to raise slightly the turret s rotation does not effect the cover.

That is my meaning by the sentence you posted,also note Kens Tamiya Porsche have the correct covers that extend under the turret bottom.Maybe Ken could post a picture?

Well I have the paint mixed,the Johnson's Floor shine with Tamiya X21 Flat base mixture ready and have cleaned the Turret and lower hull of all oil and dirt.

Then the oversight,the rear panel must be painted as well to ensure the appearance is uniformed and consistent.

So one more bit of dis-assembly,and some prep work and tomorrow I will start painting and post some pictures tomorrow,this was a gift.And one I considered selling at first?.Yet it is a fine tank,solid and hopefully I can do justice to the paintwork and create a fine example of the Henschel King Tiger.

One other point,the lack of Turret Zimmerit.What do you guys think? I have only used the Tamiya film type before and the milliput method seems a bit overwhelming.Any suggestions on this issue and one that can be done quickly and without to much cost?

Thanks gang,cheers Blake

Squadron Green putty, and patience!