Michael Wittman Tiger 1

[Fatty]

Bit of a strange begining to this build as originally I was only building a resin bust of a German tank Commander.

I bought a bust not knowing who he was. A German tank comander who turned out to be one "Michael Wittman", one of the most successful tank commanders in German history.

He is famous for his June 13, 1944, ambush of elements of the British 7th Armoured Division at the Battle of Villers-Bocage in a Tiger tank. Wittman's crews (chiefly gunner Balthasar "Bobby" Woll, also a Knight's Cross holder) are known to have destroyed at least 138 tanks and 141 artillery pieces, along with an unknown number of other armoured vehicles. The circumstances leading to Wittman's death have also presented a mystery to historians, who have been unable to form a clear consensus on the matter.

So after discovering who he was I thought I would be differnet to paint this bust and mount it to a base with his Tiger Tank 007.

After looking around at many different makes of models I came across this 1/35 AFV Club kit of the Tiger Tank that had all the relevent decals etc for the 007 Numbered Tank.

This build Ive been looking forward to for some time as Im not normaly one for tracked vehicles.

Heres my progress so far.....











I do plan to add some more detail to the tank after collecting a couple of books show this perticular Tank....

watch this space....

[The Hooded Claw]

Villers Bocage is very well documented in a book from After The Battle in their Then and Now series. If you can get a copy it is an absolute must for Wittmans vehicle.

H

[Fatty]

Now for the teadious bit.....

Adding all those little marks and dinks to the armour and that groved pattern to the sides.....



Heat and melt, heat and melt, heat and melt....
Im sooooo borded and ive only done a 10 minutes worth LoL

Never mind, keep on going....

[spike]

Looking good so far. And I have read that putting the zimmeritt on is easiest by applying a thin layer of putty on the area and dabbing with a small piece of plastic or such item to create the look, may be quicker but correct if I'm wrong .

[Lonewolf]

We already did this Fatty...

Here mate.

[Fatty]

You could be right there spike......

After 1 hour of heating a blade over a candle thats the turret done......

[Fatty]

Well all the zimmeritt is now done (took a total of 4 hours and an 8" candle) also all the dents and scrapes have been added.....

Once the primer has dryed I shall attach the arials ect, and a cable for the head lamp.

Then the yellow/sand colour can be applied......

[Fatty]

Well today I managed to apply some paint.

I tried out them Vallejo Acrylic Paints.

The only thing I had a problem with was that I must of had a very faint trace of wax from the candle from when I last touched the model, as there is one little spot that hasnt taken.....

This I can sort as it is not a big issue....

[Lonewolf]

Superb zimmerit job mate. Did you see my earlier post on the history of the action? Dunno cos you posted at about the same time and might have missed it.

Wolfie.

[Fatty]

lonewolf said:

Superb zimmerit job mate. Did you see my earlier post on the history of the action? Dunno cos you posted at about the same time and might have missed it.

Wolfie.

Cheers Wolfe, where do I need to look?

[Lonewolf]

^^^ up there mate in this very thread LOL

[Fatty]

Doh!

;D

[Lonewolf]

One small observation Fatty, that aerial looks a tad thick.

Might I suggest a trip to your local music shop and buy a 0.08" or 0.09" gauge top E electric guitar string. Superb whip aerials!

Wolfie.

[Fatty]

Well after painting the camo it looked a little too bright, so out came the weathering powders and its looking better....

[fatfingers]

Very nice mate, Very nice indeed ;D

Cheers,
Steve