9th SS Tiger started...
 

I have started tearing down and modifying the Tiger I purchased from Sownare. It runs great, so time for a bit of customization. I am modelling a Tiger of the 9th SS "Hohenstaufen" division, early 1943.

I opted to start with the turret. My research indicates a great variety of variation on how Tigers were equipped, included some without smoke dischargers. I opted to go without them on my tank and filled the mounting holes. I also rotated the commanders cupola to the proper position and added slits in the vision ports on the side of the turret. I also flipped the mantlet, removed the led lights and filled the extra hole. I decided not to lengthen the barrel as I dont want to lose the strength of the original peice, should I hit something during forays into the dirt. As long as I was on a roll, I fabricated conduits for the headlights out of brass....

In the background can be seen the painted and weathered tracks and tow cables.


I also moved the antenna mount and filled the original hole.


I am opting to model my tank with the tread cable (the one on the side of the hull) missing, so I patched the mounting holes for it and will fabricate new cable hangers from brass.

Having basically finished the modification to the turret, I decided to painted it with the base color of Tamiya xf-60 lightened with white to give it a slight sun bleached appearence and lay on my camo pattern. Better to decide I dont like it with only the turret painted, rather then the whole tank...

http://www.snarkalicious.net/photobl...aintedturr.JPG

I am content with the result and will post more and better pictures as I progress...

Arachna

RE: 9th SS Tiger started...
 

After alot of paint and some serious air brush clean up, I have a base coat on the tank and a reddish brown camo pattern laid down.
On the chassis below the skirts, I used the base Tamiya xf-60 darkened with some dark brown to add depth. The treads were weathered and installed after adding an extra link to each side for some sag and I am pleased to say everything still works..I was afraid I would break something with the full disassembly.


The rather obvious bulbs of the headlights bothered me. Rather then buy or fabricate slotted covers for them, I masked a very thin stripe in the middle of the bulbs and then handpainted them silver to block the lights. I then sprayed them with the rest of the tank, leaving a lit stripe when the tape was removed. Now time to paint details, put down markings and weather the beast..

RE: 9th SS Tiger started...
 

can not see the picture.

RE: 9th SS Tiger started...
 

Same here. Cannot see the pictures on my end...

[&o]

-Harq


EDIT: Nice work! Cannot wait to see further progress.

RE: 9th SS Tiger started...
 

Sorry guys, I think that should fix it...

RE: 9th SS Tiger started...
 

Looks good, very realistic.

RE: 9th SS Tiger started...
 

Sharp...

Dennis

RE: 9th SS Tiger started...
 

I like the way you 'repainted' the frontlight. Very innovative, and looks very realistic too. Good job! ;)

RE: 9th SS Tiger started...
 

Well gang, here is the completed tank, with markings and weathering.

I tend to, as I did in this case, use only dry transfers when I can. I like to avoid the decal sheen. Although the numbers are a tad small, I have seen examples (in pictures) of Tigers with smallish numerals, so I took a bit of artistic liberty.

For weathering, I do dry brushing and then darken recesses with pastel chalks. I also use chalks for general grime and dirt streaks, as I did here. Dullcoat the whole thing and it lasts as well as paint. Any feedback on how she looks is appreciated, love it, hate it or otherwise :)

RE: 9th SS Tiger started...
 

Very beautiful . . . especially the three-quarter view of the Tiger. Lot's of star power there!! I like the understated camo pattern. Frequently, camo can be a bit overdone and hide the overall lines of a tank. Perhaps, down the road, you may consider spraying the tracks with some brown paint and spray dark gray to the muzzel and exhausts. I love it!! Fee free to send it back you me whenever you want!!:D:D:D

RE: 9th SS Tiger started...
 

will copy your headlight stripped painting ,good idea !
[>:]

RE: 9th SS Tiger started...
 

By all means, help yourself. I am glad my little experiment with the lights worked and you guys like it.

My only advise would be use a heavy coat of silver or black after you mask it to block out the light. I had to go back and touch up a few thin spots, but it seems to work pretty well and looks good if I say so myself.