the "big three" I decided to drag them out for a group shot. There is so much work to be done on the two semi-basket cases to bring them to the level my scratch built is on the end it makes me tired thinking about it. But it will be fun. I'm rapidly reaching a point where I need to take a break from my Panzer III project. Once I finish the return rollers, track tension gear and fix the upper hulls to stay put better I will put them aside for a while. The way I work is one project gets most of my effort but I still will do the odd little thing here and there to break up the monotony. I'd be lying like a bug in a rug if I didn't fess
up that many tasks in tank building are boring in repetition... Doing 5 at once showed me that for certain.

From left to right looking at the fronts.

Tiger II far left- possibly original Veroma model? Hull 'bones are" ok. Very heavy lower, beefy, thin upper deck, it's usable. Turret, beefy casting with molded details which I will remove in favor of self made detail parts, gun mantlet to be replaced, same with rear engine deck, all plastic, to be replaced. Rear of tank, exhaust pipes, to be replaced. Road wheels appear salvageable however sprockets, idlers to be replaced. Torsion system possible to see reuse. Tracks- plus here, it is a set similar to Geisswerk's bronze set, very nice and the selling point for me to buy this. No drive system, may install Maier 3 speed. I already made a repair to the front lower hull plate to replace sections cut out by some previous owner, awful. Contour of lower hull ends need attention.

Tiger II center- also possibly original Veroma model? Never have seen one I'm only speculating. I knew they were typical 1970s beefy, poorly detailed
sorts. I looked for the quality of the 'bones' sparing me from making the big stuff. Very heavy lower hull, upper hull using Maier- like casting, turret ( not shown) also heavy casting but this the model I want to use pre-prod turret on. Track is very nicely cast aluminum but very much not to scale, pitch too course- to be replaced. Road wheels/ suspension likely to be reused but sprockets and idler to be replaced. Engine deck rear plate - plastic- details to be replaced. Has electric drive, untested. Contour of lower hull ends need attention.

Tiger II right side - my scratch build. Years in the making, too many years. I need to finish this. Fully functional, runs with Maier 3 speed transmission. Needs details and fender side / front fenders, paint. I'll likely replace main gun tube as it's far too heavy.

There it is.


Jerry