Takom 1/35 scale Tiger I Mid-Production with Zimmerit Otto Carius SdKfz 181 PzKpfw VI Ausf E plastic model kit review

Takom has now joined a wide field of manufacturers in producing a Tiger I kit. The Takom 1/35 scale Tiger I mid-production plastic model kit is a version specific to the tank ace Otto Carius. This initial release includes a nicely sculpted figure of him. Takom has done a beautiful job with the molded-on Zimmerit, and I didn’t need to use putty anywhere on the kit.

The assembly consists of 26 steps, starting with the interior compartments. Those, while visible, end up mostly hidden after the grilles and screens go on. The running gear, though daunting, is a straightforward process with clear instructions. The link-and-length tracks are molded with properly hollow, separate guide teeth. Takom provides a jig to help with track assembly. Patience will help with the delicate parts. Another jig helps replicate the proper track sag behind the drive sprocket. I normally leave the wheels and tracks off until the very end of the build to simplify the painting process, but this time I added them per the instructions to help ensure I got a good, aligned fit.

After the tracks, I deviated from the instructions by building the basic chassis structures and turret and then adding the details. This reduced the number of pieces broken off during the build. Then came the Zimmerit panels and detail parts.

Takom provides twisted copper wire for the two tow cables. The instructions indicate each should be 204mm, but that was too long on my kit, so I ended up trimming mine to 199mm. The tools have nicely sculpted clamps. The photo-etched metal screens for the engine-deck grilles are too large and hung over the frame edges. If I were to build the kit again, I would replace them with aftermarket versions.

The turret assembly starts with the roof details and then focuses on the gun and detailed breech. The gun comes with a metal barrel, but the muzzle brake is still a multipart plastic component. The instructions for the spare track link brackets are vague about where the top bracket should be located. There are no locator marks on the edge of the turret, either. I ended up looking at references to locate them properly. When adding the clear periscopes to the commander’s cupola, be careful. A helpful notch in their front that mates to the receiving location, but you want the taller end up; the shorter end won’t reach the periscope housing.

There are only five decals for each color option: a cross for each side of the chassis, and identification numbers for the sides and back of the turret. These went down nicely over the Zimmerit.

The Takom 1/35 scale Tiger I Mid-Production with Zimmerit Otto Carius SdKfz 181 PzKpfw VI Ausf E plastic model kit was an enjoyable kit that balances accuracy and buildability. The engineering is great and the chassis and turret build quickly. I spent 25 hours building and painting the kit, which is about average for a kit of this complexity. Because of the complicated running gear and tracks, I would recommend this for at least an intermediate modeler.