CYBERHOBBY
6335, Pz.Kpfw.VI Ausf.E Sd.Kfz.181 Gruppe Fehrmann Tiger I. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 809 styrene parts (including 20 clear), four etched brass frets, two DS-100 track lengths, five stamped/etched brass parts, five turned metal parts, one turned aluminum gun tube, one metal spring, two pieces of pre-formed wire, eight metal parts, two pieces of braided metal wire, one water-slide decal marking scheme and eight pages of instructions in 19 steps.
An angled view from the rear shows the exhaust pipe and hull rear plate configuration of this unique schwere Panzer.
Introduction.
With the Soviets closing in from the east and the Allies closing in from the west in early 1945, Hitler’s dying Third Reich formed many ad-hoc military units in a vain attempt to stem the tide. One of these was Gruppe Fehrmann, composed of six Panther mittlerer Panzer and five Tiger I schwere Panzer. Photographs of some of the Tiger Is from this unit have survived and have been published (see references, below), so the appearance of some of these unique vehicles is relatively well-documented. Essentially, these were earlier production Tiger Is (with drum cupolas) that were retro-fitted with Gummigefederten Stahllaufrollen (rubber-cushioned steel-tired road-wheels), while having some redundant fittings, such as the Feifel air filter pre-cleaners removed.
Specifically, Tiger I, tactical number F13, has been chosen as the latest limited-release item from DML’s subsidiary, Cyberhobby.
Note the mantle style as well as the combination of styrene and turned metal parts for the 8.8cm KwK main armament. The astute reader will notice many gaps here and there; this is because most of the assemblies are NOT glued in place. The gaps will disappear during final assembly.
Tracks.
The first things the modeler will note are the two lengths of tracks made from DS100 flexible styrene material. These are packed in a separate channel-shaped card, so the guide horns are not distorted. One advantage of this material is that it can be pulled from a multi-part (slide) mold with no loss of detail on any face of the part. In this case, that advantage has been used to mold guide horns with the proper openings and to have very fine detail on the edges of each link, particularly the connecting pins. Overall, the detail is very crisp, and the lengths can be joined together with standard styrene cement. This last attribute will also allow the modeler to glue the tracks down on top of the road-wheels so that sag can be easily introduced. With relatively little effort on the part of the modeler, the finished tracks will rival many individual-link after-market tracks (as well as DML’s own Magic Tracks) in overall appearance.
The tracks are provided in DS100 soft styrene material, which can be glued together with styrene cements; they are protected from damage by a cardboard channel.
Suspension System.
This variant mounted the so-called Gummigefederten Stahllaufrollen (rubber-cushioned steel-tired road-wheels). There are two variations of these and the instructions say that either can be used. Likewise, the larger-diameter idler wheel is for use, while the smaller one is also included; there are also two variations of drive sprocket. These are all nicely represented with crisp details. All torsion bars are separate; they are designed to allow for movement similar to the prototype, so the modeler can make the suspension system conform to irregular terrain on a diorama base. The idler wheel has a cranked axle, which can be adjusted so that the track tension can be easily manipulated for the proper finished appearance. I strongly recommend that it is not fixed in place until the modeler is satisfied with the look of the tracks. The last items related to the suspension system are the separate, well-detailed final drive housings.
Hull.
The hull pan is from a slide mold; its sides feature molded-on details for some torsion bar bump-stops, as well as the holes to mount the swing arms. The flange seen between the hull sides and the pannier bottoms is also well-represented, while the step seen in that area is also properly depicted. The belly plate has panel details molded in place as well; this is one of the areas that have been improved compared to earlier releases. In particular, some of the round access plates that originally sat above the belly plate’s surface are now flush, with recessed separation lines. The final items on the hull sides are the separate inner sections of the final drives. There are three rear plates, each with a number of separate fittings such as multi-part exhaust stacks, mounts and heat shields, as well as starter crank cover plates.
A close-up of the rear plate shows the exhaust pipes and their armored guards; note that some filling was required after the lifting studs are attached, which accounts for the red putty. The etched brass shrouds around the radiator fans can be seen, as can the torsion bars inside the hull.
Other separate parts include rear mud-flaps and multi-part vehicle jack with separate mounts; C-shaped tow hooks and U-shaped tow clevises, and a tail-lamp. Everything else is molded in place including the idler wheel adjustment port covers and other small detail items. The bow plate is integral with the hull molding; it receives a pair of U-shaped tow clevises as a final touch. These tow clevises are provided as two styles in metal, with metal pins, or as conventional styrene parts in one style.
Superstructure.
Assembly of the superstructure begins with the placement of the side plates upon the hull molding. These are complete with weld bead detail where appropriate as well as mounting pads for the separate, one-piece side skirts. The latter can be damaged or cut apart by the modeler to depict a combat veteran. The glacis plate comes with nicely-rendered front mud-flaps attached; a second plate has no mud-flaps, so if the modeler wishes, after-market etched metal items can be easily adapted to the kit. The final detail for that item is a separate shell splash guard.
Working aft, the next item is the separate superstructure front plate; a multi-part, slide-molded, movable MG34 and ball mount is fitted on the starboard side; a Gen2 item, it includes a pre-bored muzzle. An optional canvas cover is given as is the deep-wading seal, with the latter marked as not for use. On the opposite side is the armored view-port flap; this comes in two versions, one of which is completely opened, while the other is a multi-part item that can have the flap in any position from fully opened to fully closed. There is also a clear part for the internal vision block.
All tools and fittings for the (separate) superstructure roof plate are separate parts. There are options as well. Two sets of tools are given; one is all-styrene with molded-on clamps, while the second set has no clamps. These receive etched brass items with bending guides attached to one sprue. The tow cables are presented as one-piece all-styrene moldings, or multi-part etched brass, styrene and metal wire assemblies. The separate driver’s and radio operator’s hatch lids have internal hinge detail, separate armored guards for the periscopes and clear styrene parts for the ‘scope heads themselves. Between them is a separate dome-shaped cover for the fighting compartment vent fan.
Separate mounts and two-piece Bosch black-out driving head-lamps are provided for the front corners of the hull roof plate. These are complimented by pre-formed metal wire, which is to be used to represent the electrical power conduits. Etched brass S-mine mounts are provided for the superstructure roof’s rear corners, while the modeler is instructed to remove the mounts from the roof plate itself. The mounts and launchers themselves are all included but are not for use.
The engine deck has three different separate main access hatch lids, each with a host of separate detail parts to include dome-shaped vent cover, lift handles, hold-open latches, etc. The forward-most engine air intake grills are molded with the roof plate; those towards the rear are separate and are two parts each, so as to properly render the angles of the cooling slots. Above them all are pre-shaped etched brass screens, while below the grills are multi-part fuel tank/radiator assemblies, which include etched brass parts. The retro-fitted wood splinter shields for the radiator compartment are also provided as styrene and etched brass assemblies. Other separate items for that area include a fire extinguisher, flap (and a not-for-use telescoping snorkel pipe) for the deep-wading port and antenna mount; there is no rod antenna provided.
Turret.
Being a turret produced before July 1943, this one sports a slide-molded core for the so-called drum cupola. A multi-part hatch lid and separate rim tops it off, while clear parts are provided for the internal glass blocks. The roof plate replicates the type that was 25mm-thick. Variations on the loader’s hatch lid are given (with internal detail), while a separate cover in two variations with clear periscope head are provided for the loader. The opening for the periscope head is sealed on the outer surface and must be cut out from the inside.
With the turret roof plate removed, some of the internal detail can be seen. Note the interior of the escape hatch lid as well as the rudimentary gun breech. The pre-shaped etched brass screens for the engine deck air intake grills are also laid in place.
The basic turret walls are provided as a two-part assembly. The starboard side is provided with two different sections, one of which has the opening for an escape hatch lid. The other part mounts the original second MP-Stopfen (pistol port cover). The escape hatch lid behind the loader is separate and can be depicted opened or closed; it includes internal detail. It has also been revised so it sits at the correct angle when opened. On the opposite face of the turret is mounted the larger MP-Stopfen (pistol port cover)
The usual Gepäckkasten (baggage bin) is provided for the rear face of the turret; it too uses slide mold technology for enhanced detail and can be embellished with optional etched brass and styrene parts, while the lids for it are separate so it can be depicted opened or closed. Spare track links are provided for the turret’s side walls, as well as the bow plate and either side of the superstructure front plate. Each link is slide-molded so it has crisp connecting pin details; there are separate guide horns with the proper openings for a completely authentic appearance.
The 8.8cm KwK L/56 is based around an all-styrene assembly (or a turned aluminum gun tube) that includes a slide-molded multi-part muzzle brake; there is also a steel spring included so the recoil of the gun can be mimicked. Internal detail is given to include the gun’s breech and rudimentary seats. Three gun mantles are provided; the one with binocular gun sight openings (G-19) is to be used for this version.
Molding, Fit and Engineering.
DML has paid a great deal of attention to these kits so the fit is really very, very fine. However, when final-assembling the roof plate as well as the superstructure front plate, it is easy for things to go awry; the modeler must exercise care and patience. I found that it was better not to fit the two elbows (parts G13) to the radiators; this helped things fit better. The commander’s cupola needs to have its locating tabs, inside the rim, sanded down; otherwise there will be an unacceptable gap between it and the turret roof.
There are two slots on the hull side plates that should line-up with the tow cable holding racks on the roof plate, but they do not, probably because the part was originally designed for another version. They need to be filled.
There are no sink marks anywhere and ejector pin marks do not mar any visible or critical surfaces, except for the inner face of the engine deck access hatch lid.
Accuracy.
Scale drawings in references 1 and 6 show the kit to be extremely accurate, with no major issues at all. The modeler is urged to check references, since photos show F13 without a Gepäckkasten (baggage bin), but the instructions say to add it. As the photos show the vehicle in a destroyed state, this item may have been lost as a result. Other photos show F02 with a Gepäckkasten installed, so I would tend to agree with the manufacturer on this one.
The lack of proper parts for a rod antenna is the only omission of note.
Instructions.
These are of the line-drawing style and are typically complex, due to the sheer number of parts and relatively few steps. There are also sub-steps and many extra, unused parts spread throughout, so the modeler should study these things carefully, plan ahead, and test fit before the glue is used. As usual, colors are keyed to Gunze and Model Master paints.
Decals and Marking Information.
Water-slide decals by Italy’s Cartograf are included for one tank, F13. While this is quite acceptable, photos also have appeared of F02, while references 4 and 21 (see below) state that the Tiger Is were numbered as F01, F02, F03, F04 and F13. In addition, a unit called Panzer-Kompanie Hummel was also apparently equipped with Tiger Is in this peculiar hybrid configuration. So including some of these additional markings would have been nice.
This image shows the remaining etched brass bits as well as various metal parts (tow clevises, spare antenna case, shovel mounting bracket, head-lamp conduits, two cables) and the modest decal sheet.
Modelers who want more variety in markings for the hybrid Tiger I fielded by Gruppe Fehrmann are encouraged to check out Echelon Fine Details’ sheet AXT351008, which has been reviewed here at ToT. It contains another interpretation of the numerals for F13, as well markings for F01 and very complete painting guides.
Conclusion.
So, now we have yet another Tiger I molded to the most current standards, which in and of itself, may not be something to get too excited about. However, the reason that these kits are released as limited-production items by Cyberhobby becomes obvious, once the modeler understands that the manufacturer believes there is limited sales potential for such an unusual (albeit German) subject. And, there is always a group of modelers who wish a certain unique subject is made available as a kit. This one’s for them!
Highly recommended.
Frank V. Curly Stooge De Sisto
References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to:
1. Schwere Panzerkampfwagen; Panzer Tracts No.6, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
2. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Revised Edition; by P. Chamberlain, H. Doyle & T. Jentz.
3. Tigers in Combat I; Fedorowicz, by W. Schnieder.
4. Tigers in Combat II; Fedorowicz, by W. Schnieder.
5. Tiger, The History of a Legendary Weapon 1942-45; Fedorowicz, by E. Kleine & V. Kühn.
6. Germany’s Tiger Tanks, D.W. to Tiger I; Schiffer, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
7. Germany’s Tiger Tanks, Tiger I & II Combat Tactics; Schiffer, by T. Jentz.
8. Tiger I; Squadron Armor In Action No.8, by U. Feist & N. Harms.
9. Tiger; Squadron Armor In Action No.27, by B. Culver.
10. The Tiger Tanks; Osprey Vanguard No.20, by B. Perrett.
11. Tiger I Heavy Tank 1942-1945; Osprey New Vanguard No.5, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
12. Panzerkampfwagen Tiger; Achtung Panzer No.6, by M. Bitoh, H. Kitamura & M. Udsuki.
13. Pz.Kpfw VI Tiger I and Tiger II (Kingtiger); AFV Profile No.48, by P. Chamberlain & C. Ellis.
14. Pz.Kpfw.VI Tiger, Vol.1; Tankpower No.13, AJ Press, by T. Melleman & W. Molski.
15. Pz.Kpfw.VI Tiger, Vol.2; Tankpower No.14, AJ Press, by T. Melleman & W. Molski.
16. Pz.Kpfw.VI Tiger, Vol.3; Tankpower No.15, AJ Press, by T. Melleman & W. Molski.
17. Tiger; Sturm & Drang No.1.
18. German Heavy Tanks; Decimus, by P. Chamberlain & C. Ellis.
19. Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger I and Königstiger Aero by W.Spielberger & U. Feist.
20. The Tiger Tanks; Aero-Armor No.1, by H. Nowarra, U. Feist & E. Maloney.
21. Tiger I on the Western Front; Histoire & Collections, by J. Restayn.
22. And, of course, David Byrden’s fine site, www.Tiger1.info.
Reviewer’s note: Since May of 2005, I have been working on books for Concord Publications, a sister company to Cyberhobby. The reader may wish to take this into consideration. For my part, I will attempt to maintain an objective viewpoint when writing these reviews.
Cyberhobby limited edition kits are available direct from the manufacturer. For details see their web site at: www.cyber-hobby.com.
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