Post by Ian H. on Dec 6, 2023 19:34:52 GMT
I had been wanting to do a model refurb, after seeing Steve's recent excellent motorcycle rejuvenation project. I decided to pull a Dragon 1/35th Tiger II out of storage and give it a new lease on life. This is Dragon's original #6232 Tiger II Ardennes '44 release which features the later production track and the 18-tooth sprocket. I probably built this twenty years ago with an expectedly poor result. 
This is a pretty nice kit from Dragon and the #6232 version is not that common anymore, so I thought it would be a good candidate to save. The plan is to still depict a a Tiger II from the Ardennes battle, from Panzerabteilung 506. Apparently for the Ardennes campaign, s.Pz.Abt.506 fielded a small number of Tiger IIs that were veteran chassis' that still had Zimmerit but were equipped with the new late-model, single length track and the associated 18-tooth sprocket. Apparently this was a field test for the new track, which surfaced again in the Spring of '45 on some late build Tiger IIs. The original tracks on the model were beyond help so I removed them and they will be replaced by a set of the HobbyBoss late-model single link variety. Eduard PE Zimmerit will also be used
First step was to remove my rather questionable, early 21st Century dust, mud and weathering so the whole tank was submerged in the former Thanksgiving Day Turkey Pan. The bath consisted of hot water, laundry detergent, baking soda and vinegar. After the Tiger of the Lake soaked in this luscious nectar for 48 hours, it was removed and all the mud and pigment residue was rinsed off. After it dried, I went over the whole vehicle with the Dremel and a wire brush head attachment and this knocked off any of the remaining slop, along with my rather, atrocious hand-made snow, circa 2004.
The great thing about Dragon kits is lots of leftover parts, so I went through the spares box and dug out anything Tiger II related in case I have to replace anything. Stay tuned.
This is a pretty nice kit from Dragon and the #6232 version is not that common anymore, so I thought it would be a good candidate to save. The plan is to still depict a a Tiger II from the Ardennes battle, from Panzerabteilung 506. Apparently for the Ardennes campaign, s.Pz.Abt.506 fielded a small number of Tiger IIs that were veteran chassis' that still had Zimmerit but were equipped with the new late-model, single length track and the associated 18-tooth sprocket. Apparently this was a field test for the new track, which surfaced again in the Spring of '45 on some late build Tiger IIs. The original tracks on the model were beyond help so I removed them and they will be replaced by a set of the HobbyBoss late-model single link variety. Eduard PE Zimmerit will also be usedFirst step was to remove my rather questionable, early 21st Century dust, mud and weathering so the whole tank was submerged in the former Thanksgiving Day Turkey Pan. The bath consisted of hot water, laundry detergent, baking soda and vinegar. After the Tiger of the Lake soaked in this luscious nectar for 48 hours, it was removed and all the mud and pigment residue was rinsed off. After it dried, I went over the whole vehicle with the Dremel and a wire brush head attachment and this knocked off any of the remaining slop, along with my rather, atrocious hand-made snow, circa 2004.
The great thing about Dragon kits is lots of leftover parts, so I went through the spares box and dug out anything Tiger II related in case I have to replace anything. Stay tuned.
Seems you took notes though since you remembered 
