The tracks
The kits tracks are cast in resin but the detailing is not crisp enough and the tracks feel not heavy enough. Therefore I began looking for metal tracks. Unfortunately the only really good metal tracks are of a type that was used starting from October 1943. At that time the tracks were provided with small bars in order to increase cross-country capability.
Because of this I have to assume that the original for my model must have survived until autumn 1943 to be equipped with new tracks by then.
The metal tracks look very convincing, however they have the disadvantage of being cast out of a zinc alloy and thus shine too much.
This
is a metal track in untreated condition (from a Panzer IV). Such a track mounted
on a model would shine too much. Thus I treated the track with "zinc and lead-black"
by the Fohrmann company, in order to
give it a metallic-grey look.
To
further increase the aged look the track was coated with a rust colored wash.
After
the wash had dried I mixed some brown and orange pastel chalks and spread them
onto the tracks with a soft brush.
Subsequently
the tracks were airbrushed with clear acrylics, the picture shows the final
result. During driving the track will be polished at the contact points as is
the case for the original and then the shining metal in these places will show
up again.
Transmission and suspension
In order to get the appearance more realistic, I equipped my Tiger with improvement parts from WECOHE. With these parts you get an improved transmission and suspension. The finish of the parts is very good and they can be installed problem-free with the clear instructions.
This
is the improved transmission. Some gear wheels are replaced, so the drive sprockets
run somewhat slower, however they have a higher torque as a result of the update.
The whole transmission gets reinforced additionally.
Here
the improved suspension can be seen. The normal suspension consists actually
only of distorting strips of metal. It has however too much play and is also
otherwise rather loose. The improved suspension works with genuine springs which
correspond much more with the original.
Others
Here are some more pictures of changes or added details:
The
new engine screen was cast in resin after making a mould from the left hand
side screen.
The
tools got handles made from walnut.
The
gun cleaning rods were also made from walnut and got brass ends.
The
barrel of the radio operator's MG was detailed on a lathe. Above is the original,
below it the improved barrel.
Splash
guards were added to the front of the turret roof.
The
stowage bin was detailed with small rivets.
The
antenna base is made out of steel turned into a spring to let the antenna swing
as the turret is turned.
Small
notches were added to the housings of the final reduction gear to clear the
swing arms.
The
mountings for the hoses of the Feifel-air cleaners were completely scratch-built.
