1/30 Tiger I Comparison (1 Viewer)

[katana]

I have been evaluating three 1/30 Scale Tiger I tanks by well known manufacturers for Scale accuracy. detail accuracy and paint quality.
All three models evaluated are accurate 1/30 scale models. All three models have minor errors in detail; but no major errors. Two of the models have superior execution of track and suspension details. Model A has superior painting quality. Model B has more correct feature placement and Model C is offered in the earliest iterations of the three models. All three models are popular and attractive display pieces; but differ widely in price.
Given the above information can you identify the manufacturers of models A, B and C?

 

[DMNamiot]

I am sure that someone can guess which is which. However I bet some photos of the vehicles and a detailed discussion of what or how you measured various parts etc would be interesting. For instance did you break out the calipers and measure various parts? Price point is also a way to measure for some collectors since there are folks unwilling to spend X while others will spend it times 10 to get whatever they want. So lets cut to the chase and actually discuss this topic.

Dave

 

[Mitch]

Multiple choice!!!! Don't you love them? I agree with Dave lets talk openly about the Tigers maturally and, everyone participating can leave brand loyalty outside
Mitch

 

[katana]

I am sure that someone can guess which is which. However I bet some photos of the vehicles and a detailed discussion of what or how you measured various parts etc would be interesting. For instance did you break out the calipers and measure various parts? Price point is also a way to measure for some collectors since there are folks unwilling to spend X while others will spend it times 10 to get whatever they want. So lets cut to the chase and actually discuss this topic.

Dave

Dave; Yes a Digital caliper was involved. A full scale Tiger I is in Millimeters:

Scale Height Width Length Hull Deck Height

1:1 2860 3730 6200 1800

1:30 95 124 206 60

Models A,B & C measure within +/- 3mm typically. Gun barrel length varied more. Forward slope of the turret varied greatly between samples. One samples turret was set slightly too far forward in the hull. Interesting?

 

[jazzeum]

Is this supposed to be some sort of a guessing game or what I'm not sure I see the point.

 

[katana]

Multiple choice!!!! Don't you love them? I agree with Dave lets talk openly about the Tigers maturally and, everyone participating can leave brand loyalty outside
Mitch

Mitch; Agreed a pure technical discussion would be best. Given the material these models are made from I was amazed at the degree of accuracy to scale achieved! The major errors were subtle and similar errors occur in Plastic scale models. I have a neat old Tamiya 1/25 scale Tiger I which has many errors but is still a very nice model with interior detail and working torsion bar suspension with articulated tracks. I think models A,B & C are all excellent efforts. I also agree given cost as a variable any level of precision is available for a price. For this exercise however let's focus on available !/30 Polystone models costing less than $400.00 excluding figures. Regards

 

[Mitch]

Katana...

A,B, and C?? If we are talking Tiger 1 then K&C have released or, are about to, two Tigers both are the same variants too me with different colour ways and unit markings and the other who has released one but, is now hard to get was CS Tiger 1.

I can't think of another true 1/30th Tiger 1 from another manufacturer to bring into the equation Figarti's was 1/32nd I think.

Which Tigers are the three you are talking about then we can discuss?
Mitch

 

[DMNamiot]

Very cool that you took the time to actually measure them with a set of calipers. Now if I was a guessing man I would say you measured a K&C Tiger 1 from the recent past, I dont follow K&C releases that closely but I do know they have done several Tigers and they are getting better with each release. I would be thrilled if you had an NMA Tiger in grey like I do and that it was dead on because I really like this model a lot and am looking forward to getting it out along with several others. I dont know if Honor Bound did a Tiger I know they did some great Panthers but its a Tiger question so I will leave them out for now. I would guess that the other one is either Figarti or Collectors Showcase. Hope I am close at least. Please do take some detailed photos if you can so we can see the differences and discuss them, I fall into the limited category of haveing a great interest in this Tank but not having the room in my collection display area to show off more then one of them so if I were to get one more I would certainly want it to be as accurate as possible. I am also not interested in anything more than a technical discussion of these models at this point the maker is not even a discussion point. So please post some photos and let chat!

Dave

 

[katana]

Katana...

A,B, and C?? If we are talking Tiger 1 then K&C have released or, are about to, two Tigers both are the same variants too me with different colour ways and unit markings and the other who has released one but, is now hard to get was CS Tiger 1.

I can't think of another true 1/30th Tiger 1 from another manufacturer to bring into the equation Figarti's was 1/32nd I think.

Which Tigers are the three you are talking about then we can discuss?
Mitch

The third Tiger I would be by Honor Bound. Both the CS and Honor Bound Tiger I's although not in current production are available frequently on Ebay and they both set new standards for Polystone AFV models.

Brad; Think of this as an opinion survey on product quality rather than a guessing game. Products rated A,B, & C for accuracy exclusive of scale as they are all real close to 1/30. All have some errors in proportion or detail that can be usefully discussed as an aid to correcting future efforts by the various manufacturers. Regards

 

[Mitch]

I am grateful for the update I was mixed up with general releases and did not think about the special edition of HB as a general release if you get my meaning??

How are you wishing to progress your thread?
Mitch

 

[Phantom Warrior]

The third Tiger I would be by Honor Bound. Both the CS and Honor Bound Tiger I's although not in current production are available frequently on Ebay and they both set new standards for Polystone AFV models.

Brad; Think of this as an opinion survey on product quality rather than a guessing game. Products rated A,B, & C for accuracy exclusive of scale as they are all real close to 1/30. All have some errors in proportion or detail that can be usefully discussed as an aid to correcting future efforts by the various manufacturers. Regards

There are CS Tigers on ebay, but I don't remember seeing an HB Tiger other than the unpainted one that Nas bought from Rev.pete.

Terry

 

[jazzeum]

There have been HB Tigers on eBay. As a matter of fact, I purchased a Winter Tiger on eBay. It took awhile as the seller and I had to work out some logistics.

 

[Mitch]

Terry...

I don't think I have seen or heard anyone selling a HB Tiger on E-bay either seem CS and all the other makers but not HB. Anyway hopefully, Katana will put some pointers up for discussion and those who are interested can make comments and hopefully those who don't but want to do for other reasons may avert their gaze and post elsewhere
Mitch

 

[jazzeum]

Here are photos I took this morning of the HB Tiger I purchased on eBay

 

[Spitfrnd]

Here are photos I took this morning of the HB Tiger I purchased on eBay

That certainly is a fine looking model Brad and an excellent eBay score. I have to tell you when I first looked at these photos, I didn't notice the glass and with the angles I thought you have invented anti grav.

 

[jazzeum]

Thanks Bill. Yes, when I first saw the last photo I thought so myself

I know it's been often said here but it's a shame the economics didn't work out for HB to continue making vehicles.

 

[uksubs]

Thanks Bill. Yes, when I first saw the last photo I thought so myself

I know it's been often said here but it's a shame the economics didn't work out for HB to continue making vehicles.

That one great looking Tiger Brad , can I ask what you paid for it ?

 

[katana]

Terry...

I don't think I have seen or heard anyone selling a HB Tiger on E-bay either seem CS and all the other makers but not HB. Anyway hopefully, Katana will put some pointers up for discussion and those who are interested can make comments and hopefully those who don't but want to do for other reasons may avert their gaze and post elsewhere
Mitch

Mitch; Criteria for evaluation are simple. Accuracy of detail and proportion. Quality of finish i.e. paint color accuracy etc. Scale is not an issue as all three manufacturers have made models very close to 1/30 scale. Obvious errors i.e. The Honor Bound Tiger I has the turret set too far forward to where the mantlet blocks the hatches from opening. The K & C Tiger I has very little slope to the forward turret roof giving a boxy disproportionate appearance to the turret viewed in profile. The CS Tiger I has a problem with the front hull plate with the machine gun housing not meeting the side hull plates correctly. All three models have problems; the question is which is the best of the lot with the least errors Great photos of the Honor Bound Tiger Bill I only wish Honor Bound was still making these fine models

 

[Phantom Warrior]

The Honor Bound Tiger I has the turret set too far forward to where the mantlet blocks the hatches from opening. (

I think the problem is the gap between the mantlet and the turret is too big. A more realistic gap would move the mantlet back just far enough for the hatch to open. There was barely enough room on the actual Tiger for the hatch to clear the mantlet.

Terry

 

[katana]

I think the problem is the gap between the mantlet and the turret is too big. A more realistic gap would move the mantlet back just far enough for the hatch to open. There was barely enough room on the actual Tiger for the hatch to clear the mantlet.

Terry

Terry; the Osprey book Tiger I New Vanguard #5 has an excellent and rare overhead photo of a Tiger I captured in Tunisia on page #34; that shows the true relationship of the turret to the hull hatches as well as the gap between the mantlet and the turret. The Honor Bound model seems to be about correct with the gap. Two commercial finished models that have the proportions of the Tiger I right are the Minichamps and the Dragon both in 1/35 & 1/72. Have to give Dragon credit they do a very nice job on their products at a very fair price. I wish the Polystone models were as well done; as they should be for the prices. Gun length is another area of error in Polystone models; in 1/30 it should extend 72MM beyond the hull maximum!
Regards