Panzer grey

I've built and now painted my Rubicon Tiger 1. Currently it's rather clean, but I'm going to (learn) whitewash it and add a little mud.

A good kit to work on.

I'll be off to read some tutorials on whitewash effects and see what I can come up with. There are some great tutorials out there but I've got to admit I'm quite nervous about trying it out.

Watch this space.

See you soon!

Making a monster! (well, a Tiger 1)

The Tiger 1 from Rubicon Models seems a decent kit, good and sturdy parts (for heavy handed wargamers) but still well detailed.

The mighty Tiger is something I've been wanting for a while, not really for use in a game as such (in Bolt Action it is hard work) but just to have the iconic tank!

Over compensate much?

The model itself was pretty easy to build with one piece tracks (very strong) and just a couple of parts to assemble all those wheels - the tank seems to have more wheels than it needs. Then the hull was two central parts, again very sturdy, with front, rear, side and top 'plates' glued onto the central box. this all went together pretty easily and looks like it will stand my using it in battle the test of time!

The profile of the beast

The turret was peculiarly in two halves (left & right) with the choice of three different turret tops to go on the top of these two, again a good solid fit. The main gun is hinged so it can be elevated and comes off the sprue in one part too.

"Aim here"

Along with the good quality and detail of the kit's structural offerings is the nice amount of options available - early, mid and late war options for wheel, turret, several ports & hatches and an optional air filtration system - all allowing you to build several different variants. The pintle mounted MG is also an option for those that want to mow down enemy infantry!

Next I need to get this thing painted!

Rubicon Tiger 1 unboxing

I have a Rubicon models Tiger 1 Ausf E kit here to build and paint, let's see what there is to see.

One of the first things I have noticed is the impressive amount of options allowing you to build early, mid or late war variants. This includes two entire sets of tracks and running gear! The tracks are single piece with the wheels, so you can select the set with steel or the set with rubber road wheels.

The options extend to most other parts too with three different turret tops, ventilation systems and a variety of accessories that may be selected and attached as desired.

Three different turret tops

Another nice feature of the kit is that each sprue is sealed in it's own plastic bag to help keep any bits that may come loose whilst the courier is launching it from orbit.

Two complete sets of wheels & tracks

The instruction leaflet is a very well laid out piece with all parts easily recognisable and clearly numbered (including all optional parts) as well as that is some rather cool historical notes, just telling you little bits of information about the vehicle during it's tenure as the beast of the battlefield.

"From Nov 42, for Tigers sent to regions like Tunisia, Sicily, Heeresgruppe Süd and Mitte in Russia, Feifel air pre-cleaners are installed.
After Aug 43, these were no longer fitted at the factory."

I'm thinking that I'm going to enjoy building this monster!

The instruction leaflet contains loads of detail

A quick count up reveals 68 parts (including various options) so it's quite detailed and sturdy at the same time. The main hull particularly looks hardy enough to deal with clumsy gamer hands (well, mine) and the front, top and rear hull facial glue onto the central lump.

The main options include:

• Steel or rubber road wheels.
• Early, mid or late production turret tops.
• Gun sight choices.
• Optional spare track sections.
• Three different headlight configurations.
• Pistol port.
• Optional Feifel filters.

A strong looking (half) hull.

So now we have seen all the bits and the great detail, I better get to building (my favourite bit) and then trying to figure out what colour scheme to go for.