Dragon 6253 1/35 Tiger I Late production Chapter 4: Applying ATAK Zimmerit

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Skipping ahead of fitting the few interior engine components, I mulled over how best to approach adding the hull zimmerit. The separately moulded side armour plates first require fixing to the hull tub sides. Spacing is dictated by some very chunky holes in the hull tub moulding and so they fit precisely, butting up perfectly to the rear plate. Test fitting the zimmerit sheets against these side plates found that they also attach to the side profile of the armoured front plate. This front plate is not added for a few more steps and is instructed to be attached to the top plate moulding. I didnt really want to add too many parts before having to handle the model, but ideally I need to add the armoured plate to the hull tub assembly instead. Checking that fixing it to the hull tub would not disturb the build sequencing or impede any other parts placement, it was possible to add it as long as the glacis plate was fixed in place at the same time. Two glacis plates are offered. One with moulded on front track guards and one without, so you can add the PE ones if you wish.  As the front armoured plate, glacis and bow plate also require zimmerit, I could now attach it all at the same time. The side zimmerit sheets have a myriad of small square witness holes to open up to fit around moulded on track guard mounting studs and cable fixings. Once these are opened up with a sharp blade the zimmerit fits really well. Likewise, both front and rear sheets also mated up nicely. There is the inevitable small amount of tidy up to do and a smidgen of putty will be required to mate all four sheets as they meet at each corner, but overall I'm happy with the way it's looking.

ATAK advise to sand down the back of the Zimmerit sheets to assist adhesion. I used Tamiya white top liquid cement. I applied it in small sections at a time and it gives plenty of time to adjust into position.

The exhaust shields are offered in both plastic and PE. The PE parts are preformed and look really tasty. There really is no contest here as to which option was going to get used. If annealed first, some realistic battle damage can be reproduced. These will not be fixed in place until later steps to allow for painting of the armoured covers and exhaust stacks.

 

The remaining rear plate zimmerit sheets were added and the PE shields test fitted to ensure no surprises come final fixing. I’m still in two minds as to whether to fit the rear mudguards. If left off, two shallow alignment grooves under the hinges will have to be filled. 3D convoy light and C-hook brackets will be added in later steps to avoid damage.

 

Top plate moulding dry fitted exposing the engine radiator, fans, and ducts. There is a lot of nicely rendered detail here and it all fits extremely well. 

 

Instruction steps 8 through 11 are busy, busy, busy, with all manner off components added to the hull top plate moulding. Whilst I'm on a roll I'm going to skip these steps and get the remaining Zimmerit fixed onto the turret. 

 

Before any components were added to the one-piece turret shell the ATAK Zimmerit was added. Two pattern types are available. One matches the hull pattern and there is a larger spaced pattern. Check which option to choose if representing an actual vehicle. I intended to use the more common larger type, but I had a really blond moment and added the smaller type to one side without noticing until too late😖  Again, the ATAK Zimmerit sheets fit really precisely to the turret contours, with every witness cut-out matching the kit detail contours. The ATAK set also includes the two circular vision slits, but you do have to chisel/sand down the moulded on slit detail first so they don't sit too proud.

 

 

Chapter 5