|
|
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 | 1893 |
| Messages | 8729 |
|
|
| Subject: | Re: Old Tiger II and Sherman |  |
| Date: | Jun 16, 2004 |
| From: | P. Campbell | |
Guys...
As one of those 'large-scalers' I have to say yes, the earlier kits did need a lot of help to come close to being decently detailed. For the King Tiger I measured the track guards, then bent soda cans (they were thicker then) and bolted 'em on with 00-80 brass bolts. They looked perfect, and even bent properly!
*engage lecture mode*
The Sherman was first issued in '74, quickly followed by the Leopard 1A4 in 77, Gepard in '78, and King Tiger in '81. Production was discontinued sometime in the mid 80's. The Sherman was prized for its twin-280 powered gearbox, which could be set with either both driving a clutched system, or the tracks being driven independantly. The other three had single 540 motors driving a clutched gearbox. Of them all, the Gepard had the most 'frills' as the turret had both traverse & elevation, and even the radar mount was powered. The KT only had traverse and a flash unit for the barrel, and the Leo & Sherman had nothing.
Then in mid-December '98, Tamiya re-released the Sherman, after revamping its gearboxes. Instead of the former gearboxes, they introduced a 380-size separated set, with an electronic microcontroller which used a mixing principle (an electro-clutch) The King Tiger was next (July '99), and a new turret was supplied, this being the rare Porsche variant. Two 'Grenadier' figures were also supplied, and as yet haven't been released separately. They next went whole hog (Oct 2000), releasing the Tiger 1E in its basic & multi-function variants. The 'MF' kits got a second microcontroller which added main gun sound, flash & recoil, MG sound & flash, plus traverse, elevation, and sound package, all operable on 2ch operation, but 4ch was preferred.
Then Tamiya botched it, releasing the poorly accepted Kubelwagen (Nov 2000) with its cheap toy-RC controller. Many have wondered why they did not use their 'TamTech' units, a piece of electronics gained from their alliance with Futaba.
They re-released the Sherman (2001) as a 'MF' kit, giving it most of the same features as the T1, but swapping recoil for lighting. They also vastly improved the suspension, upper turret (operable loader's hatch) and making a gorgeous Browning .50 cal. for it, as well as a tank commander. They also released a 'Tamiya Battle Unit' or TaBU as we call it, so that we can battle with what amounts to 'laser-tag' (even if its IR pulses like a TC/VCR remote uses) The Allies needed more power, and the Pershing hit the field (June 2002) as an MF kit, getting all the Sherman had, plus recoil as well. It also got photo-etch for the engine deck grilles, and for the first time, the hull hatches were operable (both crew & engine)
Now the Leopard has dashed our hopes (many wanted a Panther or T34) but it looks to be a gorgeous kit. It won't help the WW2 battlers though... (rumor says Tamiya is making a Panther for '06 or '07)
*end lecture* (sorry!)
For detailing... go check the German sites. These guys are making lots of stuff themselves, and now Backyard Armor is bringing a lot of it to North America. Kenny Kong's metal-cast tracks, bored metal barrels for the kits that dinna come with 'em, plus modification kits like the 'Easy Eight' set for the Sherman.
You want to blow people away... a 1/16 is the way to go. Vimy House (Ottawa) of the Canadian War Museum has a 1/16 Canadian Leo C1 (converted Leo 1A4) in a case, and I'm dying to see if its still got its gearboxes. I'd donate a radio to get her running, and a traverse unit too... even if I never got to run her.
WhiteWolf
- with a Sherman, KT w/ both turrets, & a T1. |
| |
|
|
 | Tamiya 1/16th scale Tiger 2 production turret, worth building? - Christophe Jacquemont - Jun 15, 2004 |
| . . . Re: Tamiya 1/16th scale Tiger 2 production turret, worth building? - Christophe Jacquemont - Jun 15, 2004 |
| . . . Re: Tamiya 1/16th scale Tiger 2 production turret, worth building? - David Nickels - Jun 15, 2004 |
| . . . . . . Re: Tamiya 1/16th scale Tiger 2 production turret, worth building? - Christophe Jacquemont - Jun 15, 2004 |
| . . . . . . . . . Re: 1/16th scale fever - Paul A. Owen - Jun 15, 2004 |
| . . . . . . . . . Old Tiger II and Sherman - David Nickels - Jun 16, 2004 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Old Tiger II and Sherman - P. Campbell - Jun 16, 2004 |
|
|
