Bergepanzer Tiger I

 

 

The kit comes with two complete sets of tools and lots of extras; one set has the clamps attached, the other allows you to use the provided Photo-etch ones. I chose the styrene for this project.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When painting I work in sub-assemblies, often 50 or more mounted to alligator clips; also the wheels are done separately. This allows me to weather more fully and easily although it adds double to the amount of time needed for completion.  

The kit comes with copper stranded cable but they don't tell you how long to cut it; I made these a bit too long obviously.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tracks are styrene and from the RFM kit, they are very beautifully detailed.  

The cable does not look as realistic to me; next time I'll try some rigging rope for ship models.  

I used Friul Tiger I tracks and the excellent Wheel Mask by Quickwheel for the RFM Tiger I it was a perfect fit.
I painted the entire wheel with rattle can black satin then, after dry, airbrushed two light coats of Tamiya Dark Yellow. When this was dry and before removing, I sponge brush weathered and added rust flakes to the metal.
A final coat of Humbrol spray matte acrylic to seal it and voila!  

This cable, seen attached to the side of nearly every Tiger I, was used to aid in changing from Transport to Normal tracks. The Tiger I was a little wide for the German railways and had to travel with a narrower track and the removal of the outer roadwheels to clear bridges and oncoming trains.  

 

The kit comes with numerous hatches for the loader but only one each for the driver and assistant driver/radio operator.  

 

 

I declined to beat up the sheet metal exhaust covers on this kit.  

The basket for the tool kit is Photo-etch and is a little tight on the tool kit so you'll need to scrape a little off the bottom rear corners.  

I weathered the Friuls after assembly by first soaking in Muriatic acid for 10 minutes then soaking in cold water to neutralize the acid. It leaves a very dull gray finish that is perfect for paints and stains.
One coat of AK Interactive Enamel Track Wash and a little AK dust pigment sprinkled on.