Robs King Tiger

[KTRob]

Hello,

I have been watching some of the amazing build threads on here recently and thought I would put up a few pictures of my build, which is still ongoing.

I had wanted a heng long Tiger for about 2 years, but had put it off for various reasons. Then I saw there was a King Tiger available, and decided to go for this instead. I know the KT was not the best tank of WW2, but its still an awesome machine.

So here is how it started, with a metal King Tiger, bought from howes models, my first upgrades were the 5:1 torro gearboxes, and photo etch grills:

[KTRob]

The first thing I did was to buy a second hand turret and upper hull so I could carry on using the tank while doing the zimmerit,

Having had a read of various techniques and materials, I started with milliput white,

DSC01827.JPG (88.57 KiB) Viewed 2908 times

I changed to the standard part way through, as I had to start again on one side of the turret as I hadn't mixed it right and it refused to set . I find the standard is easier to see as the colours of the two sticks are different.

DSC01926.JPG (79.93 KiB) Viewed 2908 times

I also decided to do weld lines, I see since doing the turret the cupola was bolted down, but I am sure I have seen a picture of a KT with a welded cupola, I am not too concerned though as I am not trying to do a perfectly accurate build.

[KTRob]

Zim on the hull:

DSC02068.JPG (79.88 KiB) Viewed 2908 times

Complete (Thank God for that )

DSC02066.JPG (95.57 KiB) Viewed 2908 times

Weld Lines and Back Plate, the back plate was cleaned up with a warding file around the various covers/exhausts

DSC02065.JPG (87.94 KiB) Viewed 2908 times

DSC02062.JPG (100.55 KiB) Viewed 2908 times

[KTRob]

Test fitting the metal wheels to the Torro Hull, I went for lots of metal parts so the tank would last and have some weight to it, most of the parts were bought from Steve at Welsh Dragon.

DSC02060.JPG (101.98 KiB) Viewed 2906 times

I then decided to check the tracks and sprockets all fit on the hull, and make sure the top would go on (that and I wanted a sneak peak at the whole tank )

DSC02087.JPG (92.04 KiB) Viewed 2906 times

DSC02094.JPG (86.62 KiB) Viewed 2906 times

[KTRob]

I drilled out the correct location for the aerial:

DSC02115.JPG (83.25 KiB) Viewed 2906 times

Next little job was to modify the turret rear hatch, I ground back the zim with a dremel, then made the pistol port out of a piece of swarf I found in a box of washers, then re-did the zim over the top.

DSC02118.JPG (81.08 KiB) Viewed 2906 times

DSC02121.JPG (81.47 KiB) Viewed 2906 times

More to follow later.......

Rob

[Red Devils]

Great looking build and tutorial...

Derek

[KTRob]

Thanks Derek, I haven't done any modelling since I was about 10 so its been a lot of fun learning new techniques etc.

Added some deck hooks to the front and rear, these came from welsh dragon:

DSC02152.JPG (83.51 KiB) Viewed 2871 times

DSC02154.JPG (90.08 KiB) Viewed 2871 times

The hatch handles were made from a paperclip bent to shape, I ground off the moulded ones and then drilled two small holes and superglued the handles on.

[KTRob]

The next job was wiring up a new gun and elevation motor, before assembling the turret:

DSC02182.JPG (95.09 KiB) Viewed 2871 times

DSC02183.JPG (81.54 KiB) Viewed 2871 times

I then sprayed the turret with Halfords Red Oxide -for plastic bumpers

DSC02184.JPG (88.36 KiB) Viewed 2871 times

DSC02192.JPG (70.53 KiB) Viewed 2871 times

[maxmekker]

smooth primer color

[dgsselkirk]

Nice work so far.... did you remember the loaders pistol port? Stupid porsche turret eh! Keep it up Rob. I like the idea that you have 2 bodies so well you are building you can still play.