Academy King Tiger Last Production Winter Camo

Full Photo Gallery Of Tiger Tank Scale Models

So a few years ago I picked up a couple of these King Tiger models for an absolute song. So I haven’t taken any pictures of the build as I didn’t know I would be blogging when I started it, but now it’s finished there are a few below. I did enjoy this build. A lot of complex parts, individual tracks which were a new thing for me. To be honest it is a very nice looking tank. I have gone for a distressed winter camo look with this one. The first time I really used an airbrush, I started to learn about the effects of air pressure and paint thinning. Also played around with some weathering. Only had to deal with a couple of pieces of photo-etch, which were grills for the engine. In the end, I went for a winter finish. Here are the results, let me know what you think.

So a few things I have picked up on this build. First I tried the hair spray technique for chipping. I started out using the Humbrol maskol to cover the insignia and the turret number. It smells like copydex so would be interested to see if that would do the same job. I went over with a thinned Humbrol white paint. Now I don’t know if it was my technique, the paint or I didn’t let it dry long enough, but I found the flakes came off quite big. I will have to do some research to see if a Tamiya paint has the same effect.

Also, I got to have a little play with washes. I wasn’t mad keen on the pin wash I used, it was an enamel AK Interactive OIF wash. However, I did like the AK Interactive grim streaks. I have also managed to amass 2 rust effect washes so guess I will be using them as much as possible. This is a Humbrol product. I have used it a little on a Submarine and like the effect. I used it sparingly and really liked it. Once I had gone over with the weathering, I just wasn’t happy with the depth. So digging into my paint box I found some Games Workshop Ink in Delvan Mud. I really do love the GW Washes and Inks, back from my days painting minis.

On another note, you can still pick up the paints from the mid-’90s under the brand name cote-d-arms. They are a lovely consistency, cover well and thin well. Excellent for brush painting and are also quick drying.

So going over some of the panel line and bolts the ink really made some of the details pop.

A couple of other things to note. I have cans of spray varnish from eBay, both a Matt and a gloss. In trials, the gloss works fine but going over with the Matt doesn’t dull the effect. So I have used a product that is new to me by Liquitex, their matt varnish. The problem I’m finding is the slightest drop of cellulose thinner reacts with the varnish and makes it congeal. Meaning it really clogged up my airbrush. I do have an older cheap airbrush that I think will be perfect for this. I just need to get a connector that converts the valve size so it will attach to my compressor. But that being said for under £20 for just under 1L it gives a great dull finish as you can see below.

The last thing to do was some mud flecks and mud stuck to the track, this was another new thing and I’m quite happy with the finished look, by the time I had got to the second side I was much more comfortable with it.

King Tiger Winter Camoflage 1/35th Scale Finished Model
King Tiger Winter Camouflage Completed With All Weathering Done.
King Tiger Model Front Tracks Detail Photo
King Tiger Model Front Tracks Detail Photo Showing Heavy Weathering And Mud.
1/35th King Tiger Tracks Insane Close Up Details Of Mud Splatter
1/35th King Tiger Academy Model Tracks Insane Close Up Details Of Mud Splatter On Wheels And Tank Body.
Detail Of The Front Of The King Tiger Tank Model
Academy King Tiger 1 35th Scale In Winter Camouflage Completed Model.
King Tiger Model Chipping Mud Splatter And Rust Effect Applied Over Winter Camouflage
Here Is The Right Side Of The Academy King Tiger With All The mud Splatter And Chipping Effect.
Turret Of King Tiger Model Chipped Paint Effect And Rust Effects Applied
Turret Of King Tiger Model Distressed Turret Number And Chipped Paint Work.
Close Up Of Details On The King Tiger Main Gun 1/35th Scale Model
Close Up Of Details On The King Tiger Main Gun And Front Of Tank Armour.
Rear Of King Tiger Tank Model With Mud Splatters And Chipping.
Here Is The Mud Splatters And Chipping On The Rear Of The Tank Including The Tracks And Exhausts.
King Tiger Model Rear Deck And Engine More Mud Splatter Streaking And Streaking.
Here Is The Rear Deck And Engine Area With Some More Streaking And Chipping As Well As A Little Mud Splatter.

All in all, there are some things I can take away from this project and some areas I still need to learn.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE ACADEMY KING TIGER LAST PRODUCTION

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