RalphSarc

This morning after my so/so attempt at painting the Commander figure I positioning him in his rightful place and gave the Tamiya 1/35 King Tiger (Production Turret) one final coat of XF-86 Flat Clear to complete the build. Super fun build plus those new AK markers are a true game changer when it comes to fine detailing. Both the kit and markers are highly recommended by the King of the Nerds, lol!!!

Oh boy do they ever!! I ordered two other sets today!

More nerd model building before tackling a few RV projects this afternoon. Added a bit of track sag that can be seen under this missing side skirts, assemble 16 spare track sections that will be mounted to the turret sides and finally primed the tank commander figure.

They are a mix of AK markers Gun Metal and Dark Aluminum.

These new AK markers are a definite game changer. I’ve never been able to achieve these cable and tool results like this before!! Also applied a dust coat of XF-57 and then sealed everything using Vallejo 69-703 Satin Varnish. Decal next and then the weathering can begin.

Thanks Kevin I’m pretty pleased with the results so far. The turret is the production turret which would have been rolled steel. However I got excited and reproduced casting marks using a mixture of Tamiya Putty and Extra Thin. Only the early Porsche turret were cast. My bad, lol!!

The paint shop crew was busy psinting the King Tiger this morning. Started with a base coat of XF-60 followed by a camouflage coat of XF-58 and XF-68 and finally added dots of all three colors using a pointed tip cotton swab!! Oh this is an ambush camouflage pattern used by the Germans in WWII.

It’s a good morning when I can enjoy a quiet morning coffee while preparing my King Tiger scale model build for paint by applying a shadow coat of black primer.

Road wheels and tracks test fitting!! Looking good!!

Yeah but I like the smell, lol!!!

I’ve really enjoy the technique of using a mixture of Tamiya Putty and Tamiya Extra Thin to apply casting marks to my armor builds!! I think it adds an extra level of realism to my builds.

Let’s return to step 1 and build 12 road wheels!! Each wheel has four parts, a front and rear wheel a poly cap and hub covers!!

Ready for the paint shop crew!!

While waiting for the glue to dry on one side of the track brackets I assembled the tanks commander and positioned his arms to grasp the machine gun traveler bracket.

Fiddly fiddly fiddly steps 13 and 14 installing all the turret track brackets!!! Did I say they were fiddly??

Since the road wheels are attached using poly caps I decided to attached the suspension arms separately using the keys making sure that every arm contacts the ground evenly as the little soldier guy said to do, lol!!! Other than the wheels I think that completes the lower hull suspension?

Just for fun…….two bad asses!!!

Continuing on with steps 12 and 13 building up the turret. An absolutely bad ass looking tank!!!

Completed steps 10 and 11 building up the turret floor, loading beech, ammunition racks, seats etc, plus the main gun barrel.

It’s a pretty fearsome looking tank for its age!! I certainly wouldn’t want to be in the gunners sights that for darn sure!!

Completed most of the upper hull assembly in steps 7 and 8 adding the hatches, fire extinguisher, track cables, handholds, engine access hatch but leaving off the tool which I’ll paint separately. I still have more distressing of the fender/skirts to do but I love the look! On to the turret!

Sunday morning bench time! Plus my stash and new display shelves.

From step 1 I assembled 2each drive sprockets plus 2each Adler wheel and attached them into position in step 3. Also assembled 4each support rollers and attached them into position along with support roller A44’s in step 3. Installed 12each part 46 suspension access covers plus parts B52 and B53 which completed the lower hull build in step 3.

Completed step 2 by cementing 6 each part 23’s firmly as the instruction say to do, lol!!!

Love the wrapping detail on the 120mm gun barrel.