Tiger II

Martyn Fox
I'm in Jan. I believe this is the Academy kit which I've got in my stash.

Jan Hazes
Yes it is Martyn. Eduard just added a few PE parts and boosted the price. You would expect their Tiger II upgrade set or maybe an octopus camo mask but this kit basically just has PE ventilation grilles what most brands already add to their kits. It doesn't really justifying the Profi label compared to their other kits. They also do a Weekend version which has NO extra's. I got mine at a bargain from a model show so I'm not complaining.

Martyn Fox
I paid £20 for mine. It is a basic kit compared to Dragon but sometimes it's nice to get a quicker build, so you can concentrate on the painting. I agree though a camo mask would be a good addition.

Jan Hazes
I had that tought too but the build is taking me longer than anticipated. The kit has plenty of parts. Link and length tracks and 7 part wheels.

Jan Hazes
Base color on. Had some issues with the tracks. They were either a link too long or too short. Got them to fit but not really content with the result. Would have probably been better to glue the tracks on before painting. So, a question for my mates. Do you assemble and glue the tracks before or after painting. And if before how do you go about painting the tracks and wheels without messing up? These issues make me feel like such a novice 🙂

Martyn Fox
I tend to put the tracks on after applying the basecoat/detail painting and initial filters. I basecoat the tracks and put them on. I then apply pin washs and various weathering processes.

Jan Hazes
@ Martyn: Thats what i also usually do Martyn. On hindsight I should have done the tracks before painting the wheels and such as I was a right PITA to get them done. Hope you fare better with yours m8.

@ James : thanks and yep its pretty big.

John Van Kooten
Great progress, Jan! Looking good! 👍

I always build the tracks before gluing & painting anything and add them back on when everything is painted. Generally, in a step-by-step, that would look something like this:

- Build lower hull + suspension system.
- Build wheels.
- Build track, using the lower hull and wheels in place (still NOT glued to the arms) - the track is seperated in multiple pieces, usually a break near the (top of the) sprocket and a break near the (bottom of the) idler. That way it is easy to take off.
- Remove track from wheels
- Remove wheels

When everything is built seperately I can start the usual painting process, which includes all painting steps up to and including filters and basic weathering:

- Paint tracks seperately.
- Paint wheels seperately.
- Paint lower hull + suspension system seperately + add basic weathering to the side of the hull if required (mud, oil spills, etc.)

Now build and glue everything in place and finish the weathering process, to make sure all components receive the same amount and type of weathering (merging everything together).

The steps involving tracks do depend on what type of tracks I'm using. Obviously I will not break the tracks into multiple pieces if I'm using Friuls or workable tracks.

Jan Hazes
Thanks John. I'll try that order next time. Thats where I messed up here. I usually use workable or DS type tracks which you can assemble and fit when the rest of the kit is done with no problems(before weathering of course).

John Van Kooten
You're very welcome 👍

Workable/DS tracks are indeed a tad easier to work with in that regard. I hope "my" method with the single link tracks works for you too 🙂

Holger Kranich
This is a promising start, Jan!

Jan Hazes
Low progress with this one. I solved the track issue by taking out a link and hiding the gap behind the rear fender which I didn't want to use at first. Also had a blotch of paint come out of the brush argh 🙁 Attaching the tools next then it's time for a bit of touch up and weathering. That should change the toy like look.

John Van Kooten
Sure thing! The weathering is going to change the appearance dramatically indeed 🙂 I think the colors are great for a base coat 👍

Rui S
Hey Jan, Can't wait to see this beast weathered. Looking good.

Jan Hazes
Status update. Not much time to work on this lately. Still needs work on the tracks and running gear, machine gun and some other minor details.

Rui S
Great weathering in that big big cat, Jan, well done.

Martyn Fox
Looking very nice Jan.Like the streaking and weathering🙂

Tiago Andrade
Wow!
Beautiful king tiger!

Jan Hazes
Finally found some time to weather tracks etc. Done now. Time for a new project....

Stefan Fraundorfer
A great king tiger with perfect weathering. No decals?

M.Julian Marles
Nice big Kitty!!

Jan Hazes
Thanks for the compliments. @ Stefan. The kit comes with decals but this is a version without markings.

Kim Branders
Eyecathing tiger.😉

Bart Goesaert
Nice build, paintjob and weathering so far...