Armortek

Hello all

Always fancied doing something in 1:6 scale so have ordered the Tiger 131 kit so with any luck will be able to make a start by Christmas.

I've always been fascinated with anything of a mechanical nature and building and modifying something and making it work properly can keep me occupied for many hours which probably explains my desire to build 1:6 tank. Anyway there seems to be plenty of info on this forum and experienced builders to glean information from although it'll be a while until I can contribute very much myself but I'll try and rectify that when I get my kit.

Have all the bits (including a frightening amount of PE brass) for a 1/16 early Tiger build which I think will now be done as 131 as it will make a good research project in preparation for the 1:6th although with being in the middle of getting a house ready to sell hobby time is going to be a bit limited for little while.

John

Hi John, and welcome to the forum

Tigers are a great way to start, being all slab sided and angular.

Oh, and make sure the new house has a decent sized workshop

Adrian.

Welcome John,

Enjoy your build and Best of Wishes

Robin H

You have started down a dangerous path. These kits are worse than crack!


Welcome!

Hi John, and welcome to the forum.

The early tiger one is one of the best kits to get started with and there is lots of help and old hands to advise you. don't be shy if you are stuck, someone will have the answer

Paul.

Has anyone found it useful to get a 1/35 kit for a little bit more detail or info on the Armortek tank that you will be building?

Dragon has just brought out a 1/35 kit for Tiger 131 that by all accounts is pretty accurate and well detailed so I've just ordered one and it should be here in a week or two.

John

no, just get on with it, if you get stuck, shout, its nicer to solve your own problems!!!!!! I now have 5 A.T. models so do know a little. all the best denny.

Hi John,

As Denny says, its easier to get on with it. If you want to add detail, get your self along to Bovington with a camera and take loads of photos. Or visit 131's restoration page on the museums web site http://www.tiger-tank.com/secure/journal.htm Or contact David Fletcher at the museums Archive & Reference Library, it has a large selection of plans and drawings packs suitable for model makers.

You will find these far better than an eye squinting 1/35th scale model

Paul.

Something to do while waiting for the Armortek kit to arrive and fits on a bookshelf better as well.

John

Definatly recommend using the real thing for reference. A couple of years ago at one of the Armourtek days, I went to get some detail photographs of some of the areas none of the books or pictures I had seen gave a clear picture of. Fortunately one of the museum staff was working on 131 at the time, kindly removed the part I was particularly interested in, took photo's of it and all the mountings with and without the part there. Because it is a early tiger this was one part you will only see on an early, and not one that any of the after market guys has ever made.

It's amazing what you see looking at the thing first hand, the nice thing with a 131 model, you don't have to imagine what was there. Also worth having a look at the restoration journal in the tank museum wib site.

I usually get a 1/35 version also just to try out paint schemes. Not a lot of use for reference though. Better to get some good books and if possible trips to the museum to see the real thing.

If nothing else it will remind me of what the Armortek will look like when it's finished. Not sure if you can ever use the term finished if regards to a tank build though.

Building up my reference library at the moment and searching out plans etc. for the various parts and details that will need properly doing. As I will be building it as just before being captured will have to avoid the trap of slavishly copying the tank as it is now due to the compromises they've had to make in the restoration.

Still researching the project is all part of the enjoyment of any model build. Visit to Bovington to come later on.

John

Despite the best efforts of the solicitors to drag things out for as long as possible have finally moved into the new house.

The Tiger 131 kit is arriving tomorrow so just have to clear some space for it. Won't be able to do much with it for for a while though untill I have somewhere to work on it properly. Still have to decide on a workshop/garden shed although have just ordered the conservatory which would make a rather nice tempoary workshop.

I'm going to build it as S21 instead of 131 so plenty of research to do in the meantime.

John

Hi John
Welcome and enjoy that looks a great kit.

Derek