Italeri 1/35 Tiger I, initial production

[Stikpusher]

Along with my Graf Spee, this kit is another of my pride and joy projects. It was built for a Group Build by our local AMPS Chapter of Tiger Tanks, all variants, that we put together for last year's IPMS/USA Nationals. All together we built around 50 various Tigers in 1/35 scale and our entry took first place in the group/chapter entry catagory, and we got this huge silver cup (for a year when it gets passed on to the next winner in that category) and bragging rights for our AMPS Chapter. How do you top that? Anyways, I used the Italeri Tiger I initial production kit, added in a bunch of detail, inside and out, created a base, (my first in over 30 years) did some of my best figure work ever, replaced the kit tracks with some AFV Club indy link tacks, and really pushed my skills to their limits with this. I researched the heck out of this build and replicated as much of the photos of this real tank as I could. I am quite happy with my finished results.

[LyleW]

Congrats on the win! If the others were half as nice as yours, I am not surprised. Dude, you have some serious talent.

[Stikpusher]

Than you Lyle. Lets just say that I had to push my own skills to get up to the level of some of the guys there. There are some incredibly great modelers in that club- Joe Bevins, Jim Stelik, Jim Wechsler, Mark Glidden, Leigh Eaton.... And really fun to hang out with too. I know that I am leaving names out but it is first thing in my morning here. Anyways I will rate myself as average, I dont mess with some of the stuff that they do such as Fruils, metal barrels, workable PE tool clamps... I am content with my own modified kits rather than going heavy AM like many do, and try to focus more on technique over content. But yes, the others were better than half as nice than mine, I will say as nice or better.

[BGB]

Hello,

Fantastic !

Cheers
Boris

[Stikpusher]

Thank you Boris. I am glad that you like it.

[Thomas_M]

Never wrong doing a Tiger I! We Germans designed those vehicles so you others would have plenty of decades and fun buildings models of them! Who won the war? Muhahaha...

Wonderful job, Stik! The Italeri kit is not THE kit on the market, the more respectable is your result!

[Stikpusher]

yes indeed Thomas. As a matter of fact, I think that is what those three guys are discussing. How will some modeler in the future recreate that moment in time on otheir legendary mount? Thank you for the kind words on my build. Yes, the Italeri kit has a few rough edges, but it is no dog by any means, and with a little work can really shine. And of course when I bought it, it was far more affordable than either the Dragon, Tamiya or Academy kits.

[Thomas_M]

Isn´t Tiger 131 the one that was captured intact in North Africa?

[Stikpusher]

That was 131 from schwere panzer abteilung 504. That is the Bovington Tiger I believe. Mine is from schwere panzer abtuilung 501.

[AIRFIXER]

[...]this kit is another of my pride and joy projects.[...]

And deservedly so!