Tiger 1 Late and Schwimmwagen Normandy June 1944

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:51 pm

Tiger 1 Late 1/s.Pz.Abt 101. Normandy June 1944

With the anticipated Allied invasion of Western Europe approaching, elements of the battalion in the East were ordered to the West in April 1944. On June 1, 1944, the battalion was located near Bauvaise, north-west of Paris. Of its 45 Tigers, 37 were operational and eight more were under repair. With the D-Day landings on June 6, it was ordered to Normandy where it arrived despite heavy aerial bombardment on June 12.

I will be joining this excellent GB with Dragon's 1/72 Tiger 1 Late.

This is the kit I will be using. Overall, in terms of quality, it is a bit of a disappointment, especially when compared with the same model company’s Tiger I, Initial Production. I have talked about this before - more details here…
http://intscalemodeller.com/viewtopic.php?f=167&t=6237

Nevertheless, I am sure it will look ok when done.

Box and Parts (the figures on the box lid will not be used as they are currently crewing another tank!)

I will spice up the build with these toys (cables, P/E, metal barrel)

The inspiration for my effort is this photo of a tank at rest (is that a Tiger 1 or 2?)

Which seems also to have inspired the model makers at Orion Figures. They turned out some nice but expensive resin models but then used the same moulds to issue this fantastic set of 52 figures (4 sprues of 13 poses) at the princely sum of £6, albeit in softish plastic….

If I get a chance (bench time is tight at present), I will have a go at making some trees

MrBildo · Post by **MrBildo** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:59 pm

Looking forward to seeing all the extras on this play out. Good luck!

--Bill

Willem · Post by **Willem** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:12 pm

Looks like a very interesting project Rob.

Good luck with your build.

UKguyInUSA · Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:14 pm

This'll be interesting to watch at that scale, to see how detailed those small figures become, along with how you make your trees and the scenery. I've never made a diorama, so, I have to learn quick!

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:31 pm

Thats gonna be an awesome little dio rob, look forward to that coming together.

Out of interest how much where those figures and where did you get them from

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 6:04 pm

Thanks all

Paul. The list price is £6 (I paid £8 inc postage from 'Drum & Flag' on ebay). I got them a couple of weeks ago but they weren't easy to track down. The only other ones I saw in the UK were here, but I know nothing about the company...

http://www.fandsscalemodels.co.uk/index ... &Itemid=26

Nige201980 · Post by **Nige201980** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 6:05 pm

This is going to be good Rob look forward to it.

MarkVerploeg · Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 6:28 pm

It looks like a nice kit
And about the photo it is a tiger 1 as there is a guy standing on the front
The tiger II has a angled front that is inpossible to stand on
The guy would slip and bury his head in the dirt if he tried
Good luck with the build
Cheers Mark

chief5437 · Post by **chief5437** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 6:51 pm

Can't wait for this one! I LOVED your last tiger! I'm waiting for the new 1/72 dragon churchill so I can have a go!

Best of luck (like you need it! Lol!)

fly1ngdutchm4n · Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:16 pm

Great entry!
Love those figures, they look great

Good luck mate!

Lego · Post by **Lego** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:42 pm

Will be watching this with interest

God bless your eyesight, wish I could do armour in 1/72 I can barely work with 1/35

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Wed Jun 11, 2014 11:09 am

Tiger 1 Late 1/s.Pz.Abt 101. Normandy June 1944

Tigers on their way to Normandy - taking cover in daylight to evade the eyes of the destructive ‘Jabo' squadrons

A start has been made - slow but sure!

Out of the box, this kit is a simple weekend build and a good looking tank would result. However, madness took over and I decided to add some extras to it, including this nice (but oh-so-small and fiddly) PE set from Voyager…

First up were the wheel sets. Reading on line, when first released in 2004 this kit had serious issues with the idler wheels. As can be seen on part B5 on Dragons instruction sheet (what were they thinking of?), one side of the set is way too think meaning that the track would not line up. This problem has been fixed with this issue of the kit and all parts are the right thickness.

Then the turret top - completed, with the addition of RB’s gorgeous replacement barrel. I have added all the PE clips for spare track parts on the side of the turret, but the kit does not include any spare track links. Even if I do not find any to hang on the final kit, they still add a bit of interest. In any event, I will hang a steel helmet or two off the top ones.

While the kit part for the turret storage lockers is nicely done, I had a had a go at doing Voyager’s version and I think I will use it.

Now it was the turn of the rear of the hull to get some attention. Dragon supply some nice preformed brass shrouds for the mufflers but, again, I preferred to use Voyager’s versions. The PE is frustrating to use in that it is ridiculously small and flimsy but it does look good in the end e.g., the rear mud flaps look so much better than the kit parts.

That’s it for now - more on the build soon.

I have started to work on the figures too. The soft plastic used for the mouldings presents a few problems but I think they will turn out fine. I will do a full posting in due course describing the challenges and my approach but, to whet the appetite, here is a picture of the two Guinea Pigs picked out for experimentation….

Thank you for looking

Willem · Post by **Willem** » Wed Jun 11, 2014 11:57 am

That beautiful etch in 1/72! Very cool.

Crew figures look great too.

T3hGuppy · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:40 pm

Damn great job on the PE with this one.

SO small.

Those figures look great as always.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Wed Jun 11, 2014 8:13 pm

Willem wrote:That beautiful etch in 1/72! Very cool.

Crew figures look great too.

Thanks

The fret of etch is fantastic set of parts but incredibly fiddly!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Wed Jun 11, 2014 8:16 pm

T3hGuppy wrote:Damn great job on the PE with this one.

SO small.

Those figures look great as always.

Eyeball popping small! Thank goodness for Mr Optivisor.
The figures are brilliant especially at £5.99 for a set of 52 (13 different poses too). Clean-up is a bit of a struggle but they take paint well

MarkVerploeg · Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Wed Jun 11, 2014 8:17 pm

Rob wrote:
Willem wrote:That beautiful etch in 1/72! Very cool.

Crew figures look great too.

Thanks
The fret of etch is fantastic set of parts but incredibly fiddly!

Who would have tought

I was thinking 1:35 pe was small
But the tiger looks great
Cheers Mark

Nige201980 · Post by **Nige201980** » Wed Jun 11, 2014 8:44 pm

Brilliant work Rob think this going to be special.

wappynutter · Post by **wappynutter** » Wed Jun 11, 2014 8:54 pm

This is gonna KICK A** Rob mate.....
...with teeny photo etch too!!

Figures look excellent, if only they did WW2 Allied figures, but after scanning their kits I cant find a single one!!

I would wish you good luck, but I know for sure a talented guy like you wont need it.....

All the best, Happy Modelling my friend....

" Munch...munch...munch......" Popcorns out, so I'm here for the duration....

chief5437 · Post by **chief5437** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 8:04 pm

Your stuff just gets better and better! Some great work going on here, I'm a huge fan! Well done buddy

Nige99 · Post by **Nige99** » Sat Jun 14, 2014 12:45 pm

Amazing detail for something so small. Cracking effort Rob.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:58 pm

Thank you all for your comments and encouragement - it is hugely appreciated

Getting on top of it now.

The deck - lots of eye-straining detail to remove and PE to add!

The PE set is fantastic but I am not sure it was necessary to replace the small tools, but i fancied the challenge (and it all looks good)

Now track guards and track cable (the lower hull and wheels are dry fitted only at this stage)

That’s it for now on the tank but I have done a few more figures

That's it for now, thank you for stopping by. More soon - hopefully the paint will flow!

JohnP · Post by **JohnP** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 5:47 pm

INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!

FishBowlMan · Post by **FishBowlMan** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 6:27 pm

Fantastic, Rob. Definitely a good choice to go for the PE tools - not so much for the tools themselves, but certainly the clamps. Your eyes must be

by now.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Jun 21, 2014 7:58 am

JohnP wrote:INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!

Me or the model? Probably both!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Jun 21, 2014 8:02 am

FishBowlMan wrote:Fantastic, Rob. Definitely a good choice to go for the PE tools - not so much for the tools themselves, but certainly the clamps. Your eyes must be by now.

Well, the Optivisor has been a permanent fixture, that's for sure!

Nige201980 · Post by **Nige201980** » Sat Jun 21, 2014 9:46 am

Stunning work on that PE Rob loving the work your doing buddy.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sat Jun 21, 2014 10:10 am

Fantastic work mate, this is going to be a stunning piece when complete

AchtungPanzer · Post by **AchtungPanzer** » Sat Jun 21, 2014 10:17 am

Incredible model Rob !

The Gem in the road - Work with the PE parts just perfect, figures too. I look forward to more .

fly1ngdutchm4n · Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sat Jun 21, 2014 3:48 pm

Really really good Rob!

Sorry for the late response, but a new puppy in our family and a old crappy laptop that crashes a lot (new one coming soon) gives some delay.

But wow... great work at the PE for such a small scale

Keep it up mate!

Nige99 · Post by **Nige99** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 8:57 am

Stunning work Rob!! That PE on such a little model is nuts. I'm in bits with 1/35 so doing that on such small scale is incredible

wappynutter · Post by **wappynutter** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:58 am

Just realised that i have looked in a few times and enjoyed the thread but NEVER posted a comment??

Sorry Rob.... I'm guessing somebody on the Forum may have a random post on their thread from me!

Anyways.... an absolute gem of a build going on here with PE and everything!!

Tow cables, tools and storage boxes a plenty! Fantastic work bud.....

Keep at it Sir, shes gonna look awesome when finished..
Love the figures too, how do you do such a job with nothing but artists oil colours?? Going for another watch of your figure painting YouTube video...

Good luck, Godspeed, stay well and Model Happy....

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 11:46 am

Thank you all - your nice comments spur me on!

Andy, no oil paint was harmed in the painting of these figures: 100% acrylics, as indeed are most of my small scale jobs

wappynutter · Post by **wappynutter** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 7:56 pm

Rob wrote:Thank you all - your nice comments spur me on!

Andy, no oil paint was harmed in the painting of these figures: 100% acrylics, as indeed are most of my small scale jobs

Cheers Rob, never realised..... then recalled the Model Colour used to paint the small scale figures on the 18pdr gun..

Silly me!....

Even bigger well done then matey, love the finish on them..

Excellent...

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 8:40 pm

Tank built and a few more figures painted…

The tank is ready for painting (minus aerial, turret MG mount and commanders hatch lid, which will be added later). The turret and upper lower hulls have not been glued and will be painted as sub-assemblies.

Four more figures have been completed. This was my first go at 44 dot camo. They have turned out OK(ish), but look a bit muddy. I will take a simpler approach next time.

More soon - maybe with added Swimmwagen!

Thanks for popping in

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 8:46 pm

Awesome work rob your posts are making want to build one of these more and more

DBMiller · Post by **DBMiller** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 9:05 pm

Damn, that thing looks gold plated! Almost a shame to cover it all up with paint!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 8:27 am

Paul wrote:Awesome work rob your posts are making want to build one of these more and more

Thanks Paul.
Have a go, it's the one true scale!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 8:29 am

DBMiller wrote:Damn, that thing looks gold plated! Almost a shame to cover it all up with paint!

I know what you mean - it looks fine as it is! Still, where's the fun in that

alextheblue · Post by **alextheblue** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 9:31 am

Rob, that is ridiculously good - so ridiculously good in fact that it got me to thinking (steady!). I think that you're actually a mad scientist that has invented a machine that can enlarge and the shrink objects at a molecular level - I believe they are called an Atomic Reactor Size Exchanger. This then enables you to build in a large scale and then shrink it down to 1/72 - it all makes sense now, it's the only answer!!!

On a serious note, this is incredible work Rob. I've long admired your skills with brush and paint and I would even go as far to say that you are one of the best out there. But, boy-o-boy, your building skills are equally as outstanding - fantastic stuff!!

Now forgive me, I'm off to see if I can get myself an A.R.S.E.!!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 1:06 pm

alextheblue wrote:Rob, that is ridiculously good - so ridiculously good in fact that it got me to thinking (steady!). I think that you're actually a mad scientist that has invented a machine that can enlarge and the shrink objects at a molecular level - I believe they are called an Atomic Reactor Size Exchanger. This then enables you to build in a large scale and then shrink it down to 1/72 - it all makes sense now, it's the only answer!!!

On a serious note, this is incredible work Rob. I've long admired your skills with brush and paint and I would even go as far to say that you are one of the best out there. But, boy-o-boy, your building skills are equally as outstanding - fantastic stuff!!

Now forgive me, I'm off to see if I can get myself an A.R.S.E.!!

I've been rumbled!

Many's the time Mrs Bob has told me to get off the sofa and get my Fluctuating Accuumalative Transforming Atomic Reactor Size Exchanger in gear!

Your words are most kind, and not at all deserved! Please consider the cockles of my heart to be suitably warmed

Nige201980 · Post by **Nige201980** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 5:34 pm

enough said

AchtungPanzer · Post by **AchtungPanzer** » Sat Jun 28, 2014 6:21 pm

The best scale

and master "craftsman" on the work

- Its a pity that tracks in this great model are rubber , but ...

fly1ngdutchm4n · Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sun Jun 29, 2014 6:52 pm

I love it, love it, love it!

Very nice, and perfect execution!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Tue Jul 01, 2014 5:45 pm

Thanks again for the comments

Schwimmwagen and Tiger built and primed

I decided to add a Schwimmwagen to my build. Tigers and Schwimmwagens look good together!

This 1/72 model is made by Academy and comes from a larger set which contains other vehicles but is being sold on its own by Creative Models for the grand sum of £3.99. It comes with instructions but no decals or clear parts - I do not see this being a problem.

The kit itself has quite a good level of detail, is nicely moulded and it is an easy, quick build. I found an Eduard PE set for it but, at more than twice the cost of the kit including postage I decided to pass on it.

The Kit

Sub-assemblies for priming

The model dry fitted together for illustration

Tiger and Schwimmwagen primed with Tamiya fine grey rattle can primer

Next up - painting!

UKguyInUSA · Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Tue Jul 01, 2014 5:49 pm

Wow! Awesome work, mate!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 5:06 pm

Schwimmwagen - first stab at painting the camo

This is my first ever go at a German three colour camouflage scheme. Rather than risk it on the Tiger, I have used the Schwimmwagen as a test piece. I used an airbrush for all steps. The outcome is OK but it will need tidying up with a brush. All paints are Tamiya XF

First step, a bit of pre-shading with Hull Red

Then, base coat of Dark Yellow lightened with a bit of Deck Tan

Green lines and patches with Olive Green (Dark Green might have been better) mixed with a tad of the base colour

Brown lines and patches with Red Brown, again with a smidge of base colour

Next up, Ill do the same with the tank and have a go at the detail work

Cheers for now, more soon

Nige201980 · Post by **Nige201980** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 5:43 pm

OMG Rob stunning work.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 5:57 pm

I just caught up on this thread Rob.
I gotta say.. I'm totally amazed buddy. Those figures all by themselves would be awesome, but a schwimmwagen and a tiger I??!!
Madness. This will be another show stealing piece buddy.

Willem · Post by **Willem** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 6:26 pm

Looks great Rob. I'm no expert but I think (in my humble etc....) that for 1/72, and scale effect, the camo colours are bang on.