Tamiya 35216 1/35 Ger. Tiger I Early Production Tank Plastic Model Kit for Unisex Adult

tl;dr version: If you have modest experience at building and you want a nice Tiger to build and enjoy, this kit is for you. However, if your AMS is flaring up, you may want to go with a Dragon.Abstract: In 1989, Tamiya released a new-tool, state of the art kit of a Late Tiger I. It was wonderful in every way. Then in 1997, they altered the molds to release an Early Tiger I. That is what this kit is. So yeah, the design is 20 years old now.I mentioned Advanced Modeling Syndrome and Dragons - if you're the type of modeler that needs every single detail to be perfect and you expect a box full of bells and whistles like aluminum barrels and lots of PE, then you may want a new Dragon kit.Yeah. In many ways, the Dragons are superior. So why did I give this one 5 stars? Because it's a nice intermediate kit. No fit issues. Parts go together nicely. Well-engineered. No shape issues. And no FLASH! That is a miracle considering the molds are 20 years old! Remember the old old tracks where you'd use your daddy's flat screwdriver over a flame to mely little tabs to hold the ends together? Not a problem any more - the plastic responds well to model cement so all you have to do is glue them now. No more buttchewings for carbonizing up Dad's screwdriver blades!And that's why I gave this kit 5 stars. It is fine for what it is. Buy it, build it, and have fun!

Tamiya kits are very accurate and always of excellent quality! Tamiya employees who sculpt the figures are some of the best in the industry!

This early German Panzerkampfwagon V1 Tiger 1 tank is well made 1/35 scale kit by Tamiya. This was the most powerful tank when it entered service in August of 1942 during World War 2 with its vaunted 88 mm gun, and 4 inch frontal armour. This model comes molded in medium gray, and is has movable turrent positions, as well as being able elevate the main gun. Hatches can be open or closed. This kit has basic tracks, so you can add linked tracks, if you like, for the advanced modeler. Shown are paint schemes for different battles. Recommended for intermediate to advanced modeler. This kit is easy to assemble, and is a must have for the tank enthusiast.

Detailed plastic model however seems on high priced side.

As a model builder with over half a century of building behind me, I bought this kit as a way to get back to building after being away from the bench for far too long. I wanted a kit that was simple and fun to build. Having built this particular Tiger I by Tamiya (they make several variants) many, many years ago, I knew it was just the ticket.This kit is all plastic, meaning there are no fidgety photo-etched parts and no aluminum barrel. It has rubber band tracks, not individual link tracks that can drive a person crazy. The fit was Tamiya perfect, as always with their kits and it went together the way I knew it would. The kit was finished in a few days and did exactly what I wanted it to do; got me back to building again. Since then, I've been busy completing several more kits.So, if you're a modeler in a slump, or a beginner looking for a kit that's a bit more of a challenge than a Snap-Tite, then this is the kit for you. I highly recommend it for it's simplicity and the pure joy of building.

The fun quotient with this kit was extremely high. The historical research + build + painting + weathering = 5 Star Fun.The only difficulty I faced during the build was with the engine deck exhaust hoses which must be cut to length. Be sure to use a sharp hobby knife, versus scissors, to cut each of the hose lengths (4 in total). Moreover, be sure to place the connector parts in place first (do NOT glue until AFTER you've determined proper fit and hose length) so that you can properly gauge the length of each hose. Beyond this, the parts all fit perfectly and I would rate this kit as Moderate level in terms of difficulty - although Advanced builders will not be disappointed in my estimation.I went with a Panzer Grey base with dark yellow & khaki green camo patterns. This somewhat unique camo scheme occurred (for the most part) during the first half of 1943 as the Germans were moving from panzer grey only to camo, which means that tank crews in the field would simply apply their own patterns atop the panzer grey.I also cut the long single piece side mud guards into individual pieces along the recessed fault lines for added realism. I then applied my typical layered approach of artist oils for color modulation, enamel streaking grime & rust, light & dark dry brushing and a small amount of fine paint brush chipping (mostly around hatches and the engine compartment area). Note that I was able to save approx. $8.00/USD by not purchasing the photo etched engine deck screens, but instead using some random (and free) fine mesh screen which was leftover from some other model kit. You can simply cut this screen/mesh into shape and once painted over, you won't notice the difference.I envisioned this tank as one that would have appeared at the Battle of Kursk in July 1943.February 2020: Updated photos with additional weathering, shell impacts and tissue paper made tarps & covers. So much fun.