ACADEMY [ MORE REVIEWS ] [ WEBSITE ] [ NEW STORIES ]

In-Box Review
135
Tiger Gruppe Fehrmann
Tiger 1 Gruppe Fehrmann
  • move

by: Jason [ CHAMPY ]

Introduction

First off it’s a Tiger 1 from Academy and more over it’s a popular type with limited reference and plenty of vagaries. I am not an expert, I do like Tigers and have built a few and researched a few, this review will be looking at the kit and testing its accuracy to a basic level so I will be aiming it more towards modellers who would like to build this from the box.

Contents

The kit includes:
10 x Beige plastic sprues
1 x Black sprue for the spare tracks
1 x Etched fret
1 x Decal Sheet
1 x Decal Zimmerit Sheet (from DEF MODEL)
1 x Sprue of Poly Caps
1 x Piece of String
1 x Instruction Book
1 x Black & white painting guide (Designed by DEF.MODEL) and photo etched instructions
1 x Hull tub
2 x One piece tracks

Review

There are four markings included which all have interesting changes, each one has information on the painting guide giving you pointers as to what things should be left off or added, for example zimmerit on the turret and not on the hull, spare track placement etc. If you are happy to depict one of these popular Tigers without worrying too much about total accuracy then this guide will help you to build a very good looking model. If you are looking to go down the route of researching the particular Tank and want to be totally accurate then these Tigers have a few discrepancies. For example all are depicted with steel wheels (and that is all that is included) however some had rubber wheels and 111 could have had either. I fall somewhere in between myself and I am quite happy to use info sourced from the internet and from what I can see in a picture to aid my modelling.

The markings

F01 Gruppe Fehrmann Essel, Germany, April 1945
F13 Gruppe Fehrmann Achum, Germany, April 1945
F111 Gruppe Fehrmann Achum, Germany, April 1945
411 Schwere Pazer Kompanie Hummel Belgium Ardennes December 1944

Looking over the sprues you can see that the kit is made up from lots of different Academy kits. Sprues D, Hull tub, E & C are from 1996 and include a turret and its fittings with the remainder being mainly hull fittings. Sprue L is from 1997 with a few interior parts and a figure. Sprue B is for the steel wheels, sprockets and idlers and is from 1990. Sprue R has a newly tooled turret which is asymmetrical and when compared to the 1996 offering it has vastly improved weld seems and looks more refined overall. Sprue P has a new 88mm gun, mantlet and engine deck, the gun and engine deck are similar to Dragon offerings and look very good, there is also a multi piece muzzle break. Sprue B (new) also contains an engine deck of an earlier type as well as the hull deck and glacis plate. The track cables have a lot of flash however I have not seen much flash anywhere else.

The one piece tracks are joined with melted pins and do not have open guide horns, the detail on these is quite poor overall and the model would benefit from after market replacements.

The
Photo etched fret is a welcome addition, it is quite thin and contains rear mudguards, mesh grills, tool clamps & exhaust shields.

The decal sheet is small and contains turret numbers and balkenkreuz plus insignia for the figure.

Now onto the decal zimmerit, this is produced by DEF.MODEL and it is the first time I have seen this in the flesh, I must say it looks very convincing, it’s an epoxy resin on a transparent film and is meant to behave like waterslide decals. Initially this looks like a brilliant reproduction of zimmerit and could be a great way to ease this notoriously problematic part of modelling German armour. I have added it to a couple parts which can be seen in the pictures and I found it to behave very well, much like heavier (older) decals and this is actually help in this instance.

Conclusion

I think this kit is a good choice for the beginner/intermediate as the fit is good, accuracy is good and everything is included in the box, if you are looking for a highly accurate model then you would need to add to this kit with some aftermarket upgrades with the tracks in particular needing improvement.
SUMMARY
Highs: Interesting subject, etched fret included, zimmerit included and relatively easy to apply, good level of accuracy.
Lows: One piece tracks.
Verdict: A good representation can be made form this kit straight out of the box, they succeed in overcoming many of the usual problems and headaches associated with post 1943 German armour (e.g. Zimmerit, etch parts) but the tracks do let this one down.
Percentage Rating
85%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 13299
  PUBLISHED: Aug 24, 2016
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 91.50%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 82.72%

Our Thanks to MRC!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

View Vendor Homepage  |  More Reviews  

About Jason (champy)
FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM

I run the IPMS Spanish Civil War SIG and I have been modelling on and off for 20 years starting off with WW2 planes then moving on to 1/35 German AFV's, I have recently started branching out and I'm quite happy making anything. I like using etched metal and resin to update a kit but also happy to ma...

Copyright ©2021 text by Jason [ CHAMPY ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

this kit is a combination of all in one kit.
AUG 24, 2016 - 02:12 AM
It has the wrong track-cable layout on the hull side. David
AUG 24, 2016 - 04:28 AM
Biggest issue I had with the kit was the front mudguards which are molded on, unlike the rear ones which are either separate parts or PE. The zimmerit looks intimidating in the instructions but went on really well, even on the turret and gun mantle. Its also very easy to battle damage. Overall I really enjoyed this kit and my F13 is just waiting for her paintjob.
AUG 24, 2016 - 06:24 AM
Thanks David - I wonder if you've written a book where you comment on every facet of a Tiger?
AUG 25, 2016 - 06:13 AM
I don't see the point of books when we have the Web? David
AUG 25, 2016 - 11:36 AM
I go to David's site constantly for build advice on Tigers (including this kit) If a kit has too many errors to overcome at my skill level I move on. I typically choose my kits based on David's reviews. Although a book would be nice I cannot see myself not referring to David's web site for reference. Gino aka "Heavy Arty" and Pavel on this forum are my go to Abrams guys I love this place Happy modelling
AUG 31, 2016 - 09:21 PM
   
ADVERTISEMENT


Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
ADVERTISEMENT