Wittman Tiger Diorama Pics (1 Viewer)

[PanzerAce1944]

Just received my Wittman Tiger today and thought I would post some pics of this new Collectors showcase Tank. A few things to keep in mind as far as Pro's and Con's. Upon removing the tank from its large box I noticed one dreadfull thing. Both rear mud flaps were broken off.During shipping the weight of the tank packed inside the foam simply took both rear flaps clean off. Out came some Super Glue and all is well. The next thing that caught my eye as seen in my pics is the 007 marking is a decal and shows up on the tank looking like "a decal" rather than having the painted on effect. Getting past this all the tank is very well detailed. The camouflage paint is Matte and does not give off any shine, as some previous CS camo vehicles have. So if your waiting on your "Wittman Tiger" be ready for some rear mud flaps needing re-attaching.Just a simple matter of all of the not so friendly handlers tossing the box around during transit. No problem as the glue attached both of them back on nicely. Overall happy to add this one to the "Panzer stable"





Tiger Ace Michael Wittman maneuvers his Tiger tank in for his next "Kill" !!!

 

[lancer]

That's a good looking tank. Sorry to hear about the mud flaps. Hope it is just an isolated case. I really am disappointed to hear about the decals and the problem is obvious from the photo you took. I thought CS was going to cure their decal problems but I guess they have not, yet. The decal problem won't stop me from purchasing, but I sure don't want to fool with replacing them or repainting them like I have on two other CS vehicles. -- Al

 

[PanzerAce1944]

That's a good looking tank. Sorry to hear about the mud flaps. Hope it is just an isolated case. I really am disappointed to hear about the decals and the problem is obvious from the photo you took. I thought CS was going to cure their decal problems but I guess they have not, yet. The decal problem won't stop me from purchasing, but I sure don't want to fool with replacing them or repainting them like I have on two other CS vehicles. -- Al

A friend of mine received his yesterday and had the exact same problem, only one flap was broken on his. Something to be ready for.Like I mentioned earlier it is a quick fix !

 

[Thompyt]

A friend of mine received his yesterday and had the exact same problem, only one flap was broken on his. Something to be ready for.Like I mentioned earlier it is a quick fix !

Seems to be a recurring issue.......

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Seems to be a recurring issue.......

I guess we will hear more on the rear "Mud Flap/ fender issue" from others {sm2}

 

[Mitch]

Thats such a shame. Perhaps Brian could send me all his tigers before going out and I can dry transfer them for him!! For a very small fee!!!

I am very dissapointed at the look to those decals as Al said we have discussed this before and, you just cannot place a waterslide etc decal over zimmeritt it just does not work. They have to be individual decals and positioned into the zim or, you get this. Its making me for the first time ever think about cancelling my order and just buying the troops. Sad
Mitch

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Thats such a shame. Perhaps Brian could send me all his tigers before going out and I can dry transfer them for him!! For a very small fee!!!

I am very dissapointed at the look to those decals as Al said we have discussed this before and, you just cannot place a waterslide etc decal over zimmeritt it just does not work. They have to be individual decals and positioned into the zim or, you get this. Its making me for the first time ever think about cancelling my order and just buying the troops. Sad
Mitch

It does seem like a step backwards with the decal issue. Also collectors having theirs shipped may encounter the same situation with the rear mud guards as myself and Thompyt. {sm2} Unless the hulls are strapped down and prevented from moving in the box during transit,I'm afraid more of this is going to occur ! {eek3}
That all being said.......It's still a great looking Tiger.Wouldn't give mine up.

 

[Mitch]

I have also noticed on your tank that the drive sprocket has no painting to give definition its just yellow yet, the promo pics clearly show that this was defined. I must say I am glad you are happy but, from your pics this has made me second think and cancel my pre order. I suppose, the saying never enough tigers really is not so true. There is always the LAH
Mitch

It does seem like a step backwards with the decal issue. Also collectors having theirs shipped may encounter the same situation with the rear mud guards as myself and Thompyt. {sm2} Unless the hulls are strapped down and prevented from moving in the box during transit,I'm afraid more of this is going to occur ! {eek3}
That all being said.......It's still a great looking Tiger.Wouldn't give mine up.

 

[maddadicus]

If I remember correctly, Figarti used to put a screw up from a grommet in the foam into the vehicle to keep it from moving. F.O.V. or one of the diecast mfg. did this also. Might be a solution..Michael

 

[lancer]

I have also noticed on your tank that the drive sprocket has no painting to give definition its just yellow yet, the promo pics clearly show that this was defined. I must say I am glad you are happy but, from your pics this has made me second think and cancel my pre order. I suppose, the saying never enough tigers really is not so true. There is always the LAH
Mitch

Good catch on that, Mitch. It is most curious too, because it appears that the REAR sprocket has been painted with black to provide that very highlight. Of the two, the rear one is the harder to paint, so I wonder why CS didn't do the front one. CS did highlight with black paint the front sprocket on their first issue Tiger I's, some years back. Oh well, I guess I can provide a little black paint, as I've done to some of the other Tigers I've bought:wink2: -- Al

 

[cnq]

Going to receive my Tiger next week and the news are not very encouraging {eek3}.....I agree the decals look terrible. It reminded me of how bad it was when I built my first 1/72 model plane and did not apply the decals properly.

 

[The Collectors Showcase]

Going to receive my Tiger next week and the news are not very encouraging {eek3}.....I agree the decals look terrible. It reminded me of how bad it was when I built my first 1/72 model plane and did not apply the decals properly.

Firstly the Tigers are sold out in our warehouse: gone. Probably the most popular item we've done. That's right we have NONE left.

But to the decaling: Very hard to hear about the those that don't like the decaling. But how pray tell are we going to pay a worker to apply a four hour custom decal paint job for each and every unit on both sides of the turret laid on top of Zimmerit perfectly and still bring this beautiful beast to market for $179.00? ( run on sentence I know, never good at grammer ) Any ideas? My goodness gracious fellas we even took time to overspray the decal with dust!

"Uhhhg such is the life of a miniature guy" ^&grin "sung to the tune of Rolling Stones " Paint It Black "

Tally Hooo!

regards,

Brian

 

[lancer]

Firstly the Tigers are sold out in our warehouse: gone. Probably the most popular item we've done. That's right we have NONE left.

But to the decaling: Very hard to hear about the those that don't like the decaling. But how pray tell are we going to pay a worker to apply a four hour custom decal paint job for each and every unit on both sides of the turret laid on top of Zimmerit perfectly and still bring this beautiful beast to market for $179.00? ( run on sentence I know, never good at grammer ) Any ideas? My goodness gracious fellas we even took time to overspray the decal with dust!

"Uhhhg such is the life of a miniature guy" ^&grin "sung to the tune of Rolling Stones " Paint It Black "

Tally Hooo!

regards,

Brian

Thanks for posting, Brian. Some of us can be hard to please, myself included, and in the case of the decals, it really is somewhat minor when compared to the outstanding price point CS has managed to maintain. This is obviously one of those cost vs. quality issues that always spring up in the different threads on this forum. While I would like better decals, I much prefer CS's lower price structure. I can always solve the perceived problem of the decals for the large savings in the base price that CS offers over other manufacturers. Just keep turning out the excellent products at the good prices. JMO. -- Al

 

[maddadicus]

It is a good question for those members that say " for the price these things cost us, we should not have to do anything ". Would we pay $225 to get perfect? What is the reasonable price tag for near perfect? As to the broken stuff, no excuses and mfg. should be able to figure it out without the customer doing hoops to resolve it..Is there a softener out there to be able to rework the decal into the zimmerit? Michael

 

[Mitch]

Brian...

I think with the amount of stuff I have of yours and the fact I have been buying since you released the first LAH figures shows I am not just having a go for goes sake in any way shape or form. I agree that the price point is as always excellent and, I was all up for getting these. Indeed a winter version is still swinging its way to me from the rels in the US.

However, looking at PA1944 pics I was shocked a bit about the difference from your pics to what his looked like in the flesh. I have to say that it should take nowhere near four hours to decal the turret (or, the whole tank for that matter) and with dry transfers and a soft piece of either wood or plastic I could decal a tank in about ten minutes. I use a blunted down cocktail stick to get into the zimm and thats without using any of the products to flatten them and, the numbers are individual not linked. so, if your told its going to take four hours the factory I would have to ask if thats really how long they would actually take. I am also talking about the detail in the pics from the original pictures and the pics of PA1944 in terms of the drive sprocket as there is no definition at all and as Al has mentioned in the last Tigers they all had carved and painted definition. I am glad that they have all sold out but, in this case I just cannot delve into my pocket regardless of great price point with the issues noted.

Just my observations there are a few other things that contributed to deciding not to get this variant but, as I said this is not just about pulling the set apart and is just my own personal choice in this case

Best Wishes
Mitch

Firstly the Tigers are sold out in our warehouse: gone. Probably the most popular item we've done. That's right we have NONE left.

But to the decaling: Very hard to hear about the those that don't like the decaling. But how pray tell are we going to pay a worker to apply a four hour custom decal paint job for each and every unit on both sides of the turret laid on top of Zimmerit perfectly and still bring this beautiful beast to market for $179.00? ( run on sentence I know, never good at grammer ) Any ideas? My goodness gracious fellas we even took time to overspray the decal with dust!

"Uhhhg such is the life of a miniature guy" ^&grin "sung to the tune of Rolling Stones " Paint It Black "

Tally Hooo!

regards,

Brian

 

[Mitch]

Michael...

There are plenty of decal solutions on the market that assist placing the decals and, that allow one to loose the sheen and affix to AFV's This was mentioned a while back that long transfers like this with three numbers decaled as one will always cause problems when placed over a zimm surface unless they are single numbers dry adhered or,trimmed close to the number and solution adhered.
Mitch

It is a good question for those members that say " for the price these things cost us, we should not have to do anything ". Would we pay $225 to get perfect? What is the reasonable price tag for near perfect? As to the broken stuff, no excuses and mfg. should be able to figure it out without the customer doing hoops to resolve it..Is there a softener out there to be able to rework the decal into the zimmerit? Michael

 

[maddadicus]

Michael...

There are plenty of decal solutions on the market that assist placing the decals and, that allow one to loose the sheen and affix to AFV's This was mentioned a while back that long transfers like this with three numbers decaled as one will always cause problems when placed over a zimm surface unless they are single numbers dry adhered or,trimmed close to the number and solution adhered.
Mitch

I guess one could gently cut these apart while on the tank, soften the decal and rework into the crevices..Is this even possible? I know we should not have to, but if folks know that there might be an easy fix, CS might not suffer Tiger reluctance...Michael

 

[The Collectors Showcase]

I guess one could gently cut these apart while on the tank, soften the decal and rework into the crevices..Is this even possible? I know we should not have to, but if folks know that there might be an easy fix, CS might not suffer Tiger reluctance...Michael

I have one thing to say ( after un-boxing mine ):

 

[Mitch]

Michael...

It could be done but, what I would have had to do would have been remove them and replace with different numbers using the methods mentioned as, it would be easier than trying to cut the existing ones. I am sure regardless of these issues raised they won't be around for long

I would also like to say that the figures next to Brians Tiger look stunning
Mitch

I guess one could gently cut these apart while on the tank, soften the decal and rework into the crevices..Is this even possible? I know we should not have to, but if folks know that there might be an easy fix, CS might not suffer Tiger reluctance...Michael

 

[lancer]

I have one thing to say ( after un-boxing mine ):

OK. Did I miss a release somewhere, or are those new W-SS Grenadiers next to the Tiger? Excellent looking figures. And I DO like the Tiger, and have one coming. -- Al