Kit, Cyberhobby 6660, Tiger I Mid Command Version Winter 1943 Production

6660, Tiger I Mid Command Version Winter 1943 Production Smart Kit. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia construction kit. Contains 742 styrene parts (including 19 clear), two DS100 track lengths, one etched brass fret, five stamped etched brass parts, one piece of pre-formed metal wire, one metal spring, two pieces of braided metal wire, five water-slide decal/markings schemes, one bonus single-page 2011 calendar with art-work by Ron Volstad and eight pages of instructions in 20 steps.

Introduction.

DML, through its Cyberhobby subsidiary, has just released a variation of the so-called Mid-Production Tiger I. This oft-requested subject is most readily, and broadly, identified by the combination of the later cast commanders cupola on the turret, with the earlier rubber-tired road-wheels. In this case, Cyberhobby has also provided the parts to create a command tank.

Tracks.

The first things the modeler will note are the two lengths of tracks made from DS100 flexible styrene material. These are packed in a separate channel-shaped card, so the guide horns are not distorted. One advantage of this material is that it can be pulled from a multi-part (slide) mold with no loss of detail on any face of the part. In this case, that advantage has been used to mold guide horns with the proper openings and to have very fine detail on the edges of each link, particularly the connecting pins. Overall, the detail is very crisp, and the lengths can be joined together with standard styrene cement. This last attribute will also allow the modeler to glue the tracks down on top of the road-wheels so that sag can be easily introduced. Finally, with very little effort from the modeler, the finished tracks will rival many individual-link after-market tracks (as well as DMLs own Magic Tracks) in overall appearance.

Suspension System.

This variant mounted road-wheels with rubber tires on their rims, as well as the larger-diameter idler wheel. They come on two brand-new sprues and each road-wheel has been completely re-tooled. These are nicely represented with crisp details and there are also now four separate hub caps for each side, so that the outer road-wheels can be removed, but the hubs will be properly represented. This will allow the modeler to easily depict a Tiger missing some outer road-wheels, or to have them altogether removed for rail transport. Likewise, there are also two variations of drive sprocket, but only one is for use. All torsion bars are separate; they are designed to allow for movement similar to the prototype, so the modeler can make the suspension system conform to irregular terrain on a diorama base. The idler wheel has a cranked axle, which can be adjusted so that the track tension can be easily manipulated for the proper finished appearance. I strongly recommend that it is not fixed in place until the modeler is satisfied with the look of the tracks. The last items related to the suspension system are the separate, well-detailed final drive housings.

Hull.

The hull pan is from a slide mold; its sides feature molded-on details for some torsion bar bump-stops, as well as the holes to mount the swing arms. The scalloped flange seen between the hull sides and the pannier bottoms is also well-represented, while the step seen in that area is also properly depicted. The belly plate has panel details molded in place as well; this is one of the areas that had been improved compared to earlier releases. In particular, some of the round access plates that originally sat proud of the belly plates surface are now flush, with recessed separation lines. The final items on the hull sides are the separate inner sections of the final drives, which are particular to this version.

The rear plate now has mounts for the gun tube travel lock placed on its top edge. The new travel lock is a multi-part assembly that can be shown opened or closed. Mounting pads for the exhaust stack heat shields are molded in place. There are a number of separate fittings such as multi-part exhaust stacks, mounts and heat shields to be fitted, as well as the large stowage tube for the Sternantenne. Other separate parts include rear mud-flaps and multi-part vehicle jack with separate mounts; one C-shaped tow hook and U-shaped clevises; a tubular tail-lamp and a starter crank cover plate. Everything else is molded in place including the idler wheel adjustment port covers and other small detail items. The stowage cylinder for the command antennae is provided for the rear plate. The separate bow plate is then put in place.

Superstructure.

Assembly of the superstructure begins with the placement of the side plates upon the hull molding. These are complete with mounting pads for the separate, one-piece side skirts. The latter can be damaged or cut apart by the modeler to depict a combat veteran. The port side mounts a multi-part styrene, etched brass and metal wire track changing cable; it can also be replaced by a one-piece, all-styrene assembly. New for this kit is a multi-part etched brass boarding ladder, sometimes seen on a few Tigers. The glacis plate comes with nicely-rendered front mud-flaps attached. The final details are a separate shell splash guard in front of the drivers vision port and the large, square shovel sometimes seen mounted cross-wise on the glacis plate.

Working aft, the next item is the separate superstructure front plate; it mounts a multi-part Bosch head-lamp in the center, which is complimented by a pre-formed metal wire part to represent the electrical conduit. A multi-part, slide-molded, movable MG34 and ball mount is fitted on the starboard side; it includes a pre-bored muzzle. On the opposite side is the armored view-port flap; this comes in two versions, one of which is completely opened, while the other is a multi-part item that can have the flap in any position from fully opened to fully closed. There is also a clear part for the internal vision block.

The roof plate part has been re-tooled so it now has a properly detailed turret ring race, without the customary cut-outs to accept the turrets mounting lugs. All tools and fittings for the superstructure roof plate are separate parts. There are options as well. For example, there are two sets of tools; one has molded on clamps and brackets, while the other set is bare. The latter has etched brass clamps for the modeler who wishes to go that route. The tow cables are presented as one-piece all-styrene moldings, or multi-part etched brass, styrene and metal wire assemblies. The separate drivers and radio operators hatch lids have internal hinge detail, separate armored guards for the periscopes and clear styrene parts for the scope heads themselves. Between them is a separate dome-shaped cover for the fighting compartment vent fan.

The engine deck has a separate main access hatch lid, with a host of separate detail parts to include dome-shaped vent cover, lift handles, hold-open latches, etc. New for this release are separate filler caps for four points on the engine deck, which will allow for more candid poses. The forward-most engine air grills are molded with the roof plate; those towards the rear are separate and are two parts each, so as to properly render the angles of the cooling slots. Above them all are pre-shaped etched brass screens, while below the grills are multi-part fuel tank/radiator assemblies, which include etched brass parts. Other items for that area include a fire extinguisher, command antenna mount with multi-part styrene Sternantenne (star antenna), standard 2-meter Stabsantenne (rod antenna), rod antenna stowage tube, Sternantenne extension rod brackets and flap for the deep-wading port.

Turret.

This is based on a brand-new one-piece, slide-molded shell to which a new separate roof plate can be attached. This is the type that was 25mm-thick and it now has the mounts for the spare track links fitted around its rim in the proper locations. The base of the turret properly represents the actual item and is now devoid of the lugs that normally hold it in place to the roof plate. There is also new part to detail the inside of the ring. A slide-molded commanders cupola without rain gutters is given; it includes a multi-piece hatch lid and separate clear styrene periscope heads. The Fliegerbeschusgerat (anti-aircraft machine-gun mount) is still in the box but it is marked as not for use. Variations on the loaders hatch lid are given (with internal detail), while a separate cover and clear periscope head are provided for the loader. The roof vent has a standard armored cover or the cover for deep-wading as an option. A flexible base and a 1.4-meter rod antenna are provided for the roof-mounted command array.

The usual Gepackkasten (baggage bin) is provided for the rear face of the turret; it too uses slide mold technology for enhanced detail, while the lids for it are separate so it can be depicted opened or closed. Spare track links are provided for the turrets side. Each link is slide-molded so it has crisp connecting pin details; there are separate guide horns with the proper openings for a completely authentic appearance. The escape hatch lid behind the loader is separate and can be depicted opened or closed. It has also been revised so it sits at the correct angle when opened.

The 8.8cm KwK L/56 is based around an all-styrene assembly that includes a slide-molded three-part muzzle brake; there is also a steel spring included so the recoil of the gun can be mimicked. Internal detail is given to include the breech and seats, with that for the loader being new, six-part assembly. There are several gun mantlets in the box; the one called out for use has the TZF9b binocular sights and no opening for the deleted co-axial MG34.

Molding, Fit and Engineering.

DML has paid a great deal of attention to these kits so the fit is really very, very fine. There are no sink marks anywhere and ejector pins do not mar any visible or critical surfaces, except for the inner face of the engine deck access hatch lid. I have assembled enough of DML and Cyberhobbys Tiger I kits to be satisfied that this kit should not present any fit problems.

Accuracy.

Scale drawings in references 1 show the kit to be extremely accurate, with no major issues noted. In particular, the kit matches the drawings on pages 140 and 141 for a Panzerbefehlswagen Tiger Ausf.E built in January of 1944. The gun mantlet singled-out for use does not have an opening for a co-axial MG34, since these were not fitted in command Tigers. Doyles scale plans show a plug welded over the MG34 opening. Finally, any Tiger manufactured from about mid-August of 1943 until production ceased, should have a coating of Zimmerit anti-magnetic mine paste; this kit does not.

Instructions.

These are of the line-drawing style and are typically complex, due to the sheer number of parts and relatively few steps. There are also sub-steps and options spread throughout, so the modeler should study these things carefully, plan ahead, and test fit before the glue is used. As usual, colors are keyed to Gunze and Model Master paints.

Decals and Marking Information.

Water-slide decals by Italys Cartograf are included for five schwerer Panzer. The decals themselves are well-printed, with excellent registration, fine color saturation, and thin carrier film.

White A2, s.Pz.Abt.508, Italy 1944 (unconfirmed in photos).
White A, s.Pz.Abt.507, Soviet Union, 1944 (confirmed in photos).
White B, s.Pz.Abt.507, Soviet Union, 1944 (unconfirmed in photos, but probably correct).
White C, s.Pz.Abt.507, Soviet Union, 1944 (unconfirmed in photos, but probably correct).
Black 1, s.Pz.Abt.503, Soviet Union, 1944 (unconfirmed in photos).

All of these tanks are painted in a base color of Dunkelgelb RAL7028, with patterns in one or both supplementary colors, Olivgrun RAL6003 and Rotbraun RAL8017. Black 1 has a winter whitewash covering most of its surface.

Conclusion.

This latest release fills in a prominent gap in Tiger Ausf.E variations. It is basically accurate for the type it portrays, except that it lacks the required Zimmerit. It is a limited edition, since it is a Cyberhobby white box kit, so if this is the version you have been waiting for, now is probably the time to act.

- Frank V. De Sisto