RalphSarc Posted July 22 Posted July 22 Tamiya 1/35 King Tiger with Production Turret build thread (July 2025) After my Sherman E8 build follow along as I rebuild possibly my most favorite armor kit in an ambush scheme. In order to counter the increasing threat of Russian tanks during the latter part of the Second World War, Germany began development of a new heavy tank in February 1943. Officially designated the Panzerkampfwagen VI-B Tiger II, but better known as the King Tiger, it featured thick armor and a powerful main gun. Henschel and Porsche, who had prior experiences in the manufacturing of heavy tanks, came up with rival prototypes incorporating different turret configurations. After trials, the Henschel design was adopted for production. The King Tiger carried the Type 43 L71, 88mm high velocity main gun which was capable of penetrating 170mm thick armor plate at a distance of 1000 meters. Auxiliary armament included two 7.92mm machine guns mounted on the front hull section and on the turret. The extremely thick armor on the turret front measured 185mm and 88mm on the side panels. Power for this massive tank was supplied by a Maybach HL230 P30 V-12 cylinder, liquid cooled engine, producing 700 horsepower. The King Tiger went into mass production at the Henschel factory beginning August 1944, following the delivery of the last Tiger I tanks. Although the tank possessed advanced technology and sophistication, only 430 units incorporating the Henschel turret came off the factory line, and less than 500 total were ever available for combat. 4
RalphSarc Posted July 22 Author Posted July 22 After suffering through the build of that awful Monogram Me410B kit it’s nice to return to the perfect engineering of a Tamiya kit. Finished step one assembling the suspension parts to the lower hull. 6
BlrwestSiR Posted July 23 Posted July 23 You're off to a nice start. Are you planning any AM with go with the build? 1
RalphSarc Posted July 23 Author Posted July 23 1 hour ago, BlrwestSiR said: You're off to a nice start. Are you planning any AM with go with the build? I ordered a metal barrel, PE engine grille set, zimmerit decal set plus a tow cable set. 1
RalphSarc Posted August 10 Author Posted August 10 I really enjoyed building this ambush diorama which you can see on display in Cambridge Ontario at Forbes Hobbies. 1
RalphSarc Posted August 10 Author Posted August 10 Definitely a possibility! Love the weathered and distressed look of this build. 1
RalphSarc Posted August 11 Author Posted August 11 1 hour ago, BlrwestSiR said: Some nice builds there Ralph. Oh thanks. I really enjoyed doing the ambush diorama. It was great fun and I used a bunch of new techniques. 1
RalphSarc Posted August 13 Author Posted August 13 Back at the King this morning. In step 2 I built up the drive sprocket and idler wheel, leaving the road wheels for now, instead I hopped over to step 3 attaching the transmission/drive sprockets, idler arms. After that it was on to step 4 assembling the aft exhaust bulkhead and attaching the mud guards. 2
RalphSarc Posted August 23 Author Posted August 23 Hopped over to step 6 and installed the tracks and test fitted the upper hull! 4
RalphSarc Posted September 13 Author Posted September 13 Spent a few quiet Saturday morning hours competing part of step 8 installing and distressing side fenders/skirts. Plan is to add lots of distressed paint, rust, mud and even some battle damage. 3
RalphSarc Posted September 14 Author Posted September 14 Sunday morning bench time! Plus my stash and new display shelves. 3
RalphSarc Posted September 14 Author Posted September 14 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! 2
RalphSarc Posted Tuesday at 05:27 PM Author Posted Tuesday at 05:27 PM Completed steps 10 and 11 building up the turret floor, loading beech, ammunition racks, seats etc, plus the main gun barrel. 1
RalphSarc Posted Tuesday at 05:28 PM Author Posted Tuesday at 05:28 PM Continuing on with steps 12 and 13 building up the turret. An absolutely bad ass looking tank!!! 1
RalphSarc Posted Tuesday at 05:29 PM Author Posted Tuesday at 05:29 PM Just for fun…….two bad asses!!! 1
RalphSarc Posted Wednesday at 01:03 AM Author Posted Wednesday at 01:03 AM Fiddly fiddly fiddly steps 13 and 14 installing all the turret track brackets!!! Did I say they were fiddly?? 4
RalphSarc Posted Wednesday at 01:03 AM Author Posted Wednesday at 01:03 AM 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. 3
RalphSarc Posted Thursday at 06:48 AM Author Posted Thursday at 06:48 AM Ready for the paint shop crew!! 1
RalphSarc Posted Thursday at 07:49 PM Author Posted Thursday at 07:49 PM 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. 2
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