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Forums - Modelling / Construction |
The construction forum is for the discussion of techniques on the construction phase of AFV modelling and the tools and materials used. |
| Topics | 1894 |
| Messages | 8734 |
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| Subject: | Re: Zimmerite on Tiger: An Absolute? |  |
| Date: | Nov 26, 2003 |
| From: | Adam Lehmann | |
According to the book " TIGER I" by Feist and Culver, (Ryton Publications, 1992 collectors edition) Contains the following exert (verbatum)
please read it all, it might seem long winded, but there are several important points scattered throughout the text, and it makes more sense to read the lot than just points:
One improvement made to the Tiger in the summer of 1943, coincident with the introduction of the new cast cupola, was the application of "zimmerit", a textured paste coating to defeat Russian magnetic antitank mines. Used by rusian "tank killer" infantry teams, the mines were shaped charge devices which were thrown against the armour of a tank so that the magnets attached to the device would hold it in place. A number of German tanks including Tigers had been knocked out using these weapons. Robert Pertuss at Henschel was one of the first industry people involved in the search for a counter measure for magnetic weapons.
"One day herr Kniepkamp (of heereswaffenamt) showed up at Kassel and reported that the Russians had used magnetic mines, which the tank hunting teams attached to the rear and sides of our tanks. These mines were very effective and dangerous for our tanks, and could be made innefevtive by a thick grooved layer of some sort of cement applied to the surface of our vehicles. With this method, the magnets that held the charges against the steel armour would not be strong enough to keep the mines in place."
"Our purchasing department was able, in just one afternoon, to telephone the I.G.Farben chemical company to find out what material would be suitable, available and quickly obtainable. It had to be fast drying and had to be stone hard when dry. two days later, the firts drums of "Nitro-spachtel" arrived. Using improvised comb like tools made from sheet metal, we made a test application with excellent results. In only three hours the material was hard and could be painted. Tigers ready for delivery the day after the "Nitro-spachtel "arrived were coated and painted, and we delivered Tigers coated with the material until the very end of production."
The paste coating was called "zimmerit", and it was widely used on most German tanks and assault guns from 1943 until mid 1944. Some vehiclesused it long after mid 1944, but by 1945, its used was discontinued on many fighting vehicles. Different manufacturers made their own tools for zimmerit applications. Henschel's system was used for both Tiger I and Tiger II, which they designed and manufactured.
Here endeth the quote!!!!!!!!!!!!
Important points i see are that the stuff was applied until end of production, not 50 short, and therefore, although worn, would of definitely been on all vehicles, in one state of repair or another. But here in lies the mark of good refernce material, if you want to do a vehicle in say 1945, that was produced in 1943, then the zimmerit won't totally cover the vehicle would it ?, I would say it be realy noticeably worn and missing. A good attention to detail point ?
Hey applying zimmerit is fun and easy, with some inventiveness you can easy find the right paste, and for a tool, dont waste $$$ on a tamiya set , buy a head lice comb ( i know they may look at you wierd in the chemist) break it down into 15mm wide parts and use that to smear the paste. I used an epoxy putty once, called "knead it" by sellys. I made up ball about the size of a cherry, and using an old piece of pipe rolled it out on a board, much like a bperson rolls out dough for baking. I rolled it about 1-1.5 mm thick, and roughly cut the shape of the area i was going to apply it too, then just lay it across the surface. It adhered very well on its own, and i had about 5 - 10 mins working time with the comb. looked good ( or so i think)!
Happy modelling
Adam Lehmann |
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