By Shawn Merrell
Photographs by Shawn Merrell
Austin Armor Builders Society
May 17, 2005 

Big Cats are apparently all the rage among German armor fans, at least according to how many new Tiger I and Tiger II kits are popping out of the molds at Dragon, AFV Club and Tamiya. Dragon has decided that since there was such a “drought” of Tiger II’s that they must fill the void with no fewer than 4 versions, two of which supposedly played a role in the Battle of the Bulge, or did they? To perhaps settle some confusion about why Dragon has released a second King Tiger from the same offensive, I decided to dig deep into my credit card balance and purchase the latest kit. I bought the previous “King Tiger w/ New Pattern Track Ardennes 1944” (kit #6232) straight out of the shipping container before it reached the shelf, only to find out from a review on cybermodeler.com (now a “dead link”) that the tank represented by that kit was not actually issued to front line panzer divisions until March of 1945, thereby missing the Ardennes counter-offensive by three months. The distinguishing features of this post-Bulge King Tiger are a different track pattern and an 18-tooth drive sprocket with which to drive the new track. It was also reported in the review that the road wheels had been cleaned up, which I would guess means that there were mold release marks on the backs of them in the earlier King Tiger Henschel and King Tiger Porsche kits, and this has been corrected. Bonus features in this kit included options on the gun mantlet, a metal barrel ( more on this in a moment), three extremely impressive 88 mm rounds (likewise), as well as a photo-etched fret of rear engine deck grills, four lifting hooks, and a “jack-rack”. Four panzer grenadiers on foot are included, but no crew members. Finally, there is a length of braided metal wire for use as a tow cable, although a second tow cable is of styrene. These features, plus the price, would make even the most die-hard Tamiya fan take notice, except for the fact that Tamiya’s Ardennes King Tiger was an actual participant in the battle.

Ostensibly to address this historical faux pas, Dragon has decided to release its “King Tiger Henschel Turret Battle of the Bulge” (kit # 6254), to the dismay of those of us whom already owned the previous kit. This version drops the second gun mantlet, the 18 tooth drive sprockets, the new pattern track, and the panzer grenadiers, while adding a second metal tow cable and eight fallschirmjager figures, enough to represent the famous photo of them riding a Bulge King Tiger, reportedly taken on December 18, 1944.

Outside of the historical “fix”, there is one aspect of this second King Tiger kit that makes it stand head and shoulder above the previous release. Magic Track is Dragon’s latest bid to up the technological ante in armor models. These truly are individual track links, so individual that the modeler no longer has to cut them from the sprue. That’s 364 clips with sprue cutters that do not need to be made with Magic Tracks. Their fit is so precise, before being painted, that they almost snap together. This saves us about $35.00 in metal track links and the time it takes to pin them together. Unfortunately there are mold release marks that may need to be cleaned up a bit, although these are not prominent. In fact, it may be possible to link all the tracks before actually gluing them and mark just those sink holes that show in the completed track. To do this would require that a second distinguishing mark be placed at a key link, and that the links remain in the same order when disassembled, so that they can be reassembled in the same location. Perhaps too much trouble, but still possible. It should be noted that even the best sets of metal track links require cleaning and some filing to make them perfect.

Another great feature of this later kit is the inclusion of enough Cartograf decals to build any Tiger II from sPzAbt 501. There are turret numbers in four colors and a breakdown of 14 vehicle numbers per the three companies, plus three command vehicles. There is a color coded guide in the painting and markings section of the instructions telling us exactly which company used which color turret numbers in which range of numbers.

The earlier kit’s turned aluminum gun barrel has one hitch. In order to use it, the modeler must first assemble the included styrene barrel halves then cut off the muzzle which is in turn glued to the aluminum barrel. Did the newer kit address this rather half-hearted aftermarket dodge? Nope. Same thing, and although it is nice to have a barrel that does not need to be filled and sanded, the same does not hold true for the muzzle. Aber still has the edge, with its multi part muzzle break / flash suppressor. On so large a gun, this stuff matters.

Before I go on to describe some nice things common to both kits, I would mention that having a Battle of the Bulge King Tiger and a not-so-Battle of the Bulge King Tiger in the same collection might be redundant, but I have come up with a plan to fix that. Due to allied bombing and advances in the Ruhr, the RAL at some point in 1945 lost its supply of dark yellow paint, or at least enough of it that it could no longer ensure uniform use of it for the new panzers. The prescribed base coat at that point became the early war “panzer grey”. I can recall how the old Bandai 1:48th scale kit had box art depicting this scheme, and how I was advised by those more knowledgeable than myself that there were no panzer grey late war panzers, discouraging me from purchasing such an ‘inaccurate’ kit for $8.00 (!). Thus, I will now be building a Panzer Grey King Tiger ‘Ardennes 1944’ with 18 tooth sprockets, and sticking my tongue out at those ‘experten’ who say it wasn’t so. I may even be so ambitious as to build a section of factory works around my $37.95 late pattern track panzer grey King Tiger. The diorama will include grubby men in coveralls with welding torches, and a wench lowering the turret onto the hull for the first time. Through an open window peers a lone U.S. soldier, Thompson submachine gun at the ready to surprise the unsuspecting work crew. Well, at least I will think about it…. Sprues A, B, C, D, K, MA, MC, and N from both kits are identical. The turret is crisply molded, but there are alignment marks for the spare track mounts that might need to be sanded smooth, unless all the tracks are installed. The commander’s cupola has a separate ring of ‘mirrors’ for the inner periscopes. If only Dragon had produced this one part by itself on a clear sprue. This is another example of why I should learn to cast my own parts. The loader’s hatch includes parts for handles and locking wheel. Additionally, the rear turret shell ejection hatch is also detailed inside and out. The gun breech is represented in six parts which is a solid basis for much scratch building by those who want to show off open hatches. Tools are of the usual variety, with their mounting brackets molded in. If kit manufacturers would just make a deal with the aftermarket folks and start including tool tie downs in photo-etch format, this would go a long way towards convincing out of box builds. That being said, I would still probably opt to make my own tool handles anyway, and this obviates the need for the aftermarket tool brackets.

The road wheels in both kits are truly awesome, not a blemish on them. A little burnt umber wash on these will make the details really stand out. The side skirts are a little blocky and just a little too thick, but sturdy, and would look okay in representing a factory fresh vehicle. Unfortunately, most pictures of King Tigers in front line units show that panels are missing, and for the time and trouble it would take to cut missing panels out of the kit skirts, it would be easier to use one of the aftermarket thin metal skirt sets. Voyager makes a nice set which also includes extended panels for those who change their minds and want to use them on a Jagdtiger. I found this out after trying to put an Eduard “King Tiger / Jagdtiger” set of skirts on my Jagdtiger, which fall a couple of scale feet short of the rear of the vehicle. (I am so impressed with the Voyager detail sets; by the way, that I think I will review them once these two King Tigers are under way.)

The brass shells are outstanding, with separate bases and with primers and specs stamped into them. One of my kits will be using the brass from both of them, I think, whichever one winds up with a full interior represented. These shells alone would cost about $10.00 on the aftermarket, quite a bonus feature indeed. But I have to ask; would it have been too much of a stretch to have included a few more of them, and a rack or two to put them in? hmmmm????

The engine deck grills are finely etched, but it remains to be seen how well the forward grills will take the bending required to form them around their styrene frames. I may be using the Voyager grills instead. One thing that will always irk me about the whole gamut of armor kits is that they too rarely include even a simple engine plug, or at least SOMETHING to go under all this sophisticated grill work, even if it is just a cardboard cutout with a picture of an engine on it. I guess this is what keeps Verlinden and company in business.

The kit instructions are of the now standard Dragon full color type. They are very clear and well laid out. It is the instructions, more than anything, which make most obvious how similar these two kits are.

All in all, these kits will display nicely, even if built completely out of the box. It is hoped that the Magic Tracks and “extra” decal options are trends that will continue with other subjects, and that Dragon will stretch the aftermarket barrier just a bit further. I also hope that this latest slew of Big Cats is a craze that will blow over. We are still waiting for a decent rendering of some early war staples such as a Pzkpfw II. Any bets who will have one out first? DML? Tamiya (doubtful)? AFV Club? Tristar? And if it’s Tristar, will they put out the world’s first 1:35th scale interior for one? DML’s answer in the next round is to release; you guessed it, YET ANOTHER KING TIGER! This one will be a Last Production Model (we’ll see about that). With my luck the box art will show one being assembled in a factory, the extra figures being civilian welders and a squad of Americans about to overrun them. I think I will hold off building my two King Tigers until I know for certain!

Both of my DML King Tigers were purchased at King's Hobby. I was there when each came out of the shipping containers for the first time, and the fine folks there were kind enough to open them up so that I could have a look.

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