Tiger I - Early production Schw. Pz Abt. 502 Russia
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 12:01 pm
Hi guys,
here are some pictures of the first RC tank I built. It is a Tamiya Tiger I with some upgrades and superdetailing.
I wanted to reproduce a Tiger I that fought on the eastern front and internet was very helpful to find some nice pictures and get inspired. I found Panzer 312, taht belonged to the Schwere Panzer Abteilung 502, in Russia (Leningrad). In particular,this tank that took part to the operations in sumer 1943 near Ladoga Lake.
After this short historical introduction, let's get into detail about construction: Aber Photo-etching sets were used to replace rear mudguards, fenders, tool clamps that looked really out of scale. I also added periscopes to driver's and radio operator's hatches. A separate electrical circuit (that cannot be controlled with the radio) was created in order to have working front lights. Rice bulb lamps are far better than LEDs, because their light is warmer and more realistic. Smoke grenade launchers were added to the hull.
Since I decided to use the metal tracks, I preferred to adopt Wecohe suspensions and a kit of ball bearings I found on Ebay instead of the brass bushings supplied with the kit.
I also added spare track link holders on the turret, as well as details to the hatches (cupola and loader's hatch) and to the smoke grenade launchers. To complete the turret a turned aluminium barrel replaced the kit's barrel to avoid seam lines.
The Tiger was painted with Tamiya acrylics, then some oil filters were added to give more depth to the paintwork. Chipping (moderate) was simulated with acrylics and it actually took a lot of time. Ageing and water streaks were realized with oil paints working on a single area at a time.
The identifiaction numbers were stencilled while the "Balkenkreuz" come from the decal set of the kit (I cannot really master decals as you can see from the pictures that they remain in relief).
I still have to learn how to apply pigments, in order to simulate dust and grime, but this will be the next step.
I hope you enjoy my work and I look forward to reading your comments. I would be very greateful if yuo could also send suggestions. All your comments, including negative ones, will be welcome in order to see things from a different point of view and possibly increase my skills!
Ciao
here are some pictures of the first RC tank I built. It is a Tamiya Tiger I with some upgrades and superdetailing.
I wanted to reproduce a Tiger I that fought on the eastern front and internet was very helpful to find some nice pictures and get inspired. I found Panzer 312, taht belonged to the Schwere Panzer Abteilung 502, in Russia (Leningrad). In particular,this tank that took part to the operations in sumer 1943 near Ladoga Lake.
After this short historical introduction, let's get into detail about construction: Aber Photo-etching sets were used to replace rear mudguards, fenders, tool clamps that looked really out of scale. I also added periscopes to driver's and radio operator's hatches. A separate electrical circuit (that cannot be controlled with the radio) was created in order to have working front lights. Rice bulb lamps are far better than LEDs, because their light is warmer and more realistic. Smoke grenade launchers were added to the hull.
Since I decided to use the metal tracks, I preferred to adopt Wecohe suspensions and a kit of ball bearings I found on Ebay instead of the brass bushings supplied with the kit.
I also added spare track link holders on the turret, as well as details to the hatches (cupola and loader's hatch) and to the smoke grenade launchers. To complete the turret a turned aluminium barrel replaced the kit's barrel to avoid seam lines.
The Tiger was painted with Tamiya acrylics, then some oil filters were added to give more depth to the paintwork. Chipping (moderate) was simulated with acrylics and it actually took a lot of time. Ageing and water streaks were realized with oil paints working on a single area at a time.
The identifiaction numbers were stencilled while the "Balkenkreuz" come from the decal set of the kit (I cannot really master decals as you can see from the pictures that they remain in relief).
I still have to learn how to apply pigments, in order to simulate dust and grime, but this will be the next step.
I hope you enjoy my work and I look forward to reading your comments. I would be very greateful if yuo could also send suggestions. All your comments, including negative ones, will be welcome in order to see things from a different point of view and possibly increase my skills!
Ciao
... I only got the one and still haven't 
... but can still be added. 