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Rob Anderson
202 articles

Vintage Tamiya 1/25 Tiger I finished!

December 24, 2023 · in Uncategorized · · 18 · 287

Not much to say about this kit, it is inaccurate in many ways, I won't go onto the list as it's extensive. It does however look the part when done and was a fun trip down memory lane to a Christmas 50. years ago when I unwrapped one. Back then it was state of the art, and still holds up well today for a fun build. I didn't try to improve much, added a few weld beads, drilled out the MG barrels things like that. There used to be aftermarket tracks and a PE set, but I didn't bother just had fun. I painted it. to match the box. art, again inaccurate, but still very cool!

Reader reactions:
11  Awesome

7 additional images. Click to enlarge.


18 responses

  1. Here there be Tigers...I remember my Brother doing one of these thousands of years ago. Sure looked like a Tiger then as well as now. I think the tracks impressed me the most. Way ahead of it's time.
    You have done a mahvelous job on the old gal. That paint job looks great. MCAHNY.

  2. Excellent job on this oldie, Rob!

  3. I know almost nothing about tanks but this kit looks like it would be a good first start if I ever decide to delve into "target" modeling! 🙂

    Great finish on the kit. I'm glad we have such a wide variety of models to view here on Imodeler.

  4. I did not think there were any of these left. Remeber the old "Complete Interior" brag from Tammy?

    A very sharp job done in the spirit of fun and enjoyment of the hobby; I love it

  5. Aesome job! I love it. This is what it all about FUN! It's definitely a Tiger. Sometimes I think we tend to get caught up in the rivet counting instead of just having fun.

  6. Looks like a creepy-crawly Tiger to me! 🙂

    That's because of all the good work you poured into the project.

  7. LOL I just had it pointed out to me on FB that I installed the loaders hatch backwards. After building so many Tigers over the years how did I miss that? I will try and fix it!

  8. Well done Rob! @robertandy. I say it looks like a Tiger to me, and I like the overall finish you accomplished. I think it looks great. I bet it is big in that scale.

  9. 🙂 ... Greetings ... 🙂 :
    I remember this kit very well and all the good hype involved as an extremely
    proper thought-out commercial plan, and a good one it was, it is still around.
    It looks like a Tiger tank, and way back then, it was in every modelers "want list".
    You have done a good job on this one, Rob.
    Will we see it one day taking part in a diorama?

  10. Having fun is the main thing in this hobby, and your fun produced a great model.

  11. Very nice work on this Tiger! @robertandy

  12. Loaders hatch installed correctly!

    1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

  13. Not an armor expert either, but to me this Tiger looks very nice, Rob @robertandy
    The weld beads do look very good, how do you create those on a plastic part?

    • Some were molded as part of the kit, but the ones I added were at the seams, where some of the add on parts would have been welded and then some missing ones on the turret sides. I use a couple of different techniques. I use thin evergreen strip that I glue on, then soften with Tamiya extra thin cement. As the strip softens I use the tip of an Xacto knife and start cutting it into tiny pieces, being careful to keep it in a straight line. I then apply more thin cement and start working it into a weld bead, applying cement and working until it looks good. The other way on smaller parts where I am not as concerned about a long straight line is, I use putty. I apply it, let it dry slightly then work the bead in with a toothpick. I like to use Vallejo water based putty for this as if I make a mistake I can wipe it off and not damage the plastic. The two different techniques can be seen here. The corner seam was done with evergreen strip, the beads around the grab handle are putty

      2 attached images. Click to enlarge.

  14. Very nice indeed, Rob @robertandy! Great looking Tiger! 👍

  15. Great job, Rob. That brings back memories. I received one for Christmas in ‘74 or ‘75.

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