Reviewing the K&C 40th Anniversary Special Edition Tiger I Model (1 Viewer)

[tmanthegreat]

Thought I’d post a little more detailed review on the new 40th Anniversary Special Edition diecast Tiger I model as well some pictures of my little setup. In short, this is a fantastic effort by K&C!

The tracks roll very smoothly, turret rotates and gun elevates easily without being too loose. Commander, loader, driver, and radio operator hatches open. Figures are well painted and fit securely in the hatches. I like the weathered whitewash paint. Lots of metal in the construction and the tank is very heavy.

Interestingly, the new K&C Tiger tank model is nearly identical in size to the War Park Tiger model, so either the K&C model is 1/30 scale or the War Park model is a tad larger. The K&C model is significantly heavier! I’ve included some comparison photos here of the new K&C Tiger next to the recent Michael Whitman Tiger tank model from War Park.

Overall the Special Edition Tiger I model is definitely a winner from K&C and I’m glad I got one

 

[villagehorse]

Well your review makes this Tiger sound perfect in every way, what’s not to like. Anyone who has this cat in their collection must be purring right at this moment and count themselves lucky to fortunate to own it. Expecting countless dioramas from now on showing the splendid iconic tank from every angle and then some. Congratulations to K&C for their achievements in bringing this successful project to culmination. Robin.

 

[Grey Heron]

Thank you for the review. Outstanding model from Andy at K&C. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Grey

 

[Louis Badolato]

I would like to add to the rave reviews. Mine (#250 out of 500) arrived today. It is as good a piece of armor as I have seen in the hobby. For comparison purposes, I put the K&C 40th Anniversary Tiger on a Ken Osen diorama with the best Figarti and Honour Bound winter armor. This is what I had hoped Andy would make when I complained about his venture into Polystone in 1999. As you can see, this Tiger looks every bit as good as the Figarti and Honour Bound armor, but has the additional excellence of moving tracks (not seen since Figarti's first Chi Ha or CJB Models Artillery Tractor, both in the 1990's/2000's), as well as hinged opening hatches like those on the best JJD armor. It is a masterpiece which is the suitable descendent of the magnificent mahogany Tanks K&C produced in the mid-1990's. Andy really out did himself!!:salute::

 

[villagehorse]

That’s a marvellous diorama all round Louis using the best of the best. Robin.

 

[tmanthegreat]

Louis, thanks for adding your review! Your display looks amazing and the K&C Tiger definitely fits in with those other quality models you have from HB and Figarti.

I almost have to wonder if the new Tiger with its working features is an attempt by K&C to address their competition since most of the other manufacturers seem to include a variety of working features on their armor that K&C typically has not. A part of me is hoping K&C continues with this functional diecast metal AFV trend

 

[JL01]

A lot of releases are over-hyped and sometimes can be disappointing. This one lives up to the hype.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Louis, thanks for adding your review! Your display looks amazing and the K&C Tiger definitely fits in with those other quality models you have from HB and Figarti.

I almost have to wonder if the new Tiger with its working features is an attempt by K&C to address their competition since most of the other manufacturers seem to include a variety of working features on their armor that K&C typically has not. A part of me is hoping K&C continues with this functional diecast metal AFV trend

Tman,

Andy was the original innovator for armor in the hobby. If you look at the mahogany Tigers, Shermans, Stug III and IV's K&C, the Vietnam M113 APC produced back in the mid-1990's, as well as some of the resin and metal armored vehicles (for example the German 8-wheeled armored car), they all had hinged opening hatches and excellent detailing. However, with the exception of the M113, they were not weathered like most of the best models are today. Below are some photos of some of my early K&C wood, metal and resin vehicles. I would be thrilled if Andy made more of these remarkable models, which have an excellent combination of detail features and realistic weathering. Maybe for the anniversary of the release of the first matt WWII Arnhem figures, Andy could do a similarly detailed 30 Corps. Sherman?

 

[Grey Heron]

Beautiful diorama Louis. Your collection is wonderful to look at.

Cheers,
Grey

 

[bridport]

I would like to add to the rave reviews. Mine (#250 out of 500) arrived today. It is as good a piece of armor as I have seen in the hobby. For comparison purposes, I put the K&C 40th Anniversary Tiger on a Ken Osen diorama with the best Figarti and Honour Bound winter armor. This is what I had hoped Andy would make when I complained about his venture into Polystone in 1999. As you can see, this Tiger looks every bit as good as the Figarti and Honour Bound armor, but has the additional excellence of moving tracks (not seen since Figarti's first Chi Ha or CJB Models Artillery Tractor, both in the 1990's/2000's), as well as hinged opening hatches like those on the best JJD armor. It is a masterpiece which is the suitable descendent of the magnificent mahogany Tanks K&C produced in the mid-1990's. Andy really out did himself!!:salute::

it looks superb!!

Having missed out on this, i look forward to the Normandy & North Africa variants.

 

[jason foote]

Great looking tank. Makes me want to collect WW2

 

[wwiibuff]

Great photos T & Louis. Thanks for the review.

 

[Rutledge]

Two other extraordinarily well done aspects of K&C's magnificent Tiger tank model are the box and the protective foam. The box is both top quality and beautiful to behold. (unlike John Jenkins). The protective foam padding is precisely cut, making it easy to remove or repack the model while still providing superb protection during transit.

Kudos, Andy!

 

[tmanthegreat]

Two other extraordinarily well done aspects of K&C's magnificent Tiger tank model are the box and the protective foam. The box is both top quality and beautiful to behold. (unlike John Jenkins). The protective foam padding is precisely cut, making it easy to remove or repack the model while still providing superb protection during transit.

Kudos, Andy!

The packing foam for the new Tiger - which is very similar to what other manufacturers like John Jenkins, First Legion, War Park, etc. use - is a vast improvement over the old styrofoam trays!