GERMAN HEAVY TANK KINGTIGER TIGER II HENSCHEL TURRET ZIMMERIT DRAGON 1/35

It is a Dragon King Tiger which Zimmerit coating is molded from the beginning. It was made in June 2015.

This is the King Tiger Henschel turret that had been touched a short time ago. It is a very high-quality kit with pre-molded Zimmerit coating same as Porsche turret before I made. I’m so sorry that recent Dragon Models kit price is becoming very expensive. Dragon released many superb kit the time of this kit released.
By the way, Zimmerit coating is a kind of putty covered on the tank body that the non-magnetic material in order to prevent sticking the magnetic mine. It’s preparing for Soviet soldiers close up attack with holding this mine in hand. In terms of result, Soviet did not have such weapons. However, Soviet solders might use the captured German magnetic mines.

Chassis was completed without any particular problem because I made similar underbody many times. Load wheels are very large and strongly presence.

Magic Truck caterpillar is easy to adjust gentle slack, which is one of the appeal points of King Tiger.

It is very fun to make detailed photo-etched parts, they are helpful rich and precise detail up.   I’m wondering what is the best camouflage pattern of this kit…
(14-May-2015)

There are not enough wire clamp thumbscrews photo-etched parts in this kit, I delivered from jack clamp to them. It’s impossible to make thumbscrews by myself.

When I built Porsche turret King Tiger, part of caterpillar fender was removed. This time I tried to show the rough atmosphere for all fender parts removed.

The rear hatch was closed. The round and square hatch on the turret top was opened for figure space.

I’m not sure after painting, but the mold of the Zimmerit coating is a very good feeling. Moderate random pattern is like handmade craft.

Attaching the metal wire was difficult. I could do it struggle with the instant adhesive sometimes sticking to my fingers. I needed to adjust the cleaning rod and metal wire balancing.

There is a wide space to show the camouflage pattern on the turret side as I didn’t equip any spare caterpillar tracks.
(26-May-2015)

I blew dark brown on the shadow area, I have painted some of the surfaces almost dark brown…..

I like the taste of dark yellow covered on the dark brown.

The camouflage pattern dark green was almost smoothly connected the turret and chassis.

The red brown area is almost same as dark green. Dark yellow is a little bit smaller than the other two colors, considering the last stage of WWII German tank pattern.

The marking of this tank is the 101 Panzer battalion of the 1st SS armored division in France 1944. National insignia and tank number is very simple. Yellow tank number is unnatural, but after the process of weathering, it’s matched with the armor surface.
(01-June-2015)

King Tiger was one of the compulsory subjects of the German tank fan, I suppose. It is Henschel turret this time. I have almost understood the production process because I produced the Porsche Turret with Zimmerit coating before.

Tiger II has many slant armor in contrast with Tiger I. It’s similar to Panther tank. The front armor on the turret is 180mm, the body is 150mm at the maximum. Main weapon is a 71-caliber 8.8cm gun, and the ammunition loaded were 84.

Tiger II were produced about 500 tanks. Then, there were not so many Allied and Soviet soldiers had encountered this special weapon in the battle field that considering the extension of all the front lines. Considering that the Sherman tanks were produced 50,000 in total, T-34 were 84,000, this might be the elite tanks, but 500 was too few for breakthrough the situation. I heard there was lack of gasoline, it’s one of the reason that King Tiger was not able to demonstrate 100% performance.

This time, I was careful not to become too dark in the washing process. Tank color becomes dark that more black paint was in the deep molds of Zimmerit coating.

Light does not reach and it is difficult to take a picture of the vehicle rear. The exhaust pipes were painted in two or more rust colors and became quite a good feeling.

Up of the muzzle of 8.8cm gun.

It is very welcome that there are engine cover mesh net in default. It was a nice point of Dragon Models kits being able to achieve such a detailed reproducibility without using other sales parts.

Caterpillar is noticeable because all the side fenders are removed. I did the washing in several colors on the caterpillar. I have shined the tracks on the metallic color for massive impression.

All reserve caterpillars were removed and the camouflage pattern on the turret side appears well. Some hooks of the tracks were painted as they had rubbed and shone.

Uh-oh , there’s a kind of rabbit hair at the shovel. I wonder it flew from the next room. I painted wires like rusty and shiny mixed.

It is easy to express such a gradual loosening as connected caterpillar. I have forgotten the sense of belt, which I’ve not assembled it recently. I would like the belt if it can express the natural feeling because the risk of failing is low. I wonder recent Tamiya kit? Will Tamiya German tank be only belts as usual?

I intended to considerably dirty the chassis and the wheels, but it’s not so much when I see it later. I painted the large wheels getting variation for using many colors. This will be moderate expression.

Because the molding of the Zimmerit was carved from the start, I can easily made coated tank. Maybe it’s better looking than my piling putty by myself…

This is the marking of the 101st Heavy Tank Battalion. Tanks marking decals were required a few, almost lots of decals are not used. The Cartograf decals are very nice quality, so I keep them in my hand.

Oh , this silhouette is great, I understand the reason of attracting. I thought that it was not so good to praise weapon, but Zero fighter, battleship Yamato and King tiger were popular plastic models in my childhood in Japan,(around 35 years ago). I have not yet made the Yamato and Zero fighter in my site, but want to make them soon.

I just completed the Tiger II of the powerful atmosphere and its high degree of satisfaction. The tank of the long gun barrel is cool when I turn to the gun turret aside.
I would like to make Tamiya’s Tiger II to compare with this one since Dragon kit is shortage stock these days. Of course after almost of my stocks are running out. Thank you!
(07-June-2015)