This is my first build using a number of different materials and spare parts off other kits. I did not build the model exactly as per the instructions, instead built it in parts based upon the time that I had.
To begin with I sprayed the wheels in primer and let them dry. They would be painted soon, separately from the rest of the model and then put on near the end.
I started with the front upper hull plate by scraping off the detail for the Bosch light fitting (TAM C17) and then filling in the gap. I soldered the Aber parts together and then left it to one side whilst I added the zimmerit. I used Tamiya Polyester putty with the Tamiya rakes, and I am happy with the result. Before it was dry I pressed the light holder into it then took it off. Just before the zimmerit dried I attacked it with a knife making some damage. When dried I added the light fitting to it and secured it with some CA glue.
I then went to the rear hull plate (TAM C5) and had some mind numbing fun. I began by scraping off the detail that I did not want and adding additional detail for the Befehlswagen. Using the plans from Jentz's book I marked the location points for the C-shaped towing hook (TAM C4) and drilled 4 holes. I then scraped the mounts for the spare aerial holder from Dragon's Late Tiger I kit (From DR D3). Again using Jentz's plans I glued those to the rear plate, although this did require some guess work as they are partly obscured. I taped off the area that would be covered by the exhausts and would therefore not be covered by zimmerit.
At this point I started making the three Aber clasps that would hold the tools on the rear plate. After spending 30 minutes on the first one I remembered reading somewhere that it was best to use some Blu-Tac to hold it all steady. The next two only took me 10 minutes each and within the hour I had three working clasps. I had never before been able to build these infernal things so I was very content when I finished that night. I also built the jack mounts using the Aber set.
I added some detail to the Tamiya jack (TAM A38, A39) using the Aber set, but not all. I test fitted the jack and found that I had to make some small adjustments. I did not use the Tamiya rear mudguards (TAM A32, A33), but used the spare ones from my AFV Club Tiger I (AFV C5, C6). They offered a small amount of extra detail than the Tamiya ones. I thinned the guards down and then test fitted them prior to adding the zimmerit.
The zimmerit went on easily, and whilst wet I added the Aber fittings, then removed them. Additional damage was added and then the fittings were added again once the zimmerit was dry and fixed in place using CA glue. At this stage I did not add the spare aerial holder or the jack, as the claps were working I could paint it separately and add it later.
I also added zimmerit to the front lower glacis plate and added some damage.
The turret was next to be fitted. Due to the inaccurracies of the Tamiya Tiger I turret (TAM C7, C13), I decided to use the spare turret roof from the Dragon Alfred Kurzmaul Tiger I (DR Y4). This was the 25mm version that would have been used on Tiger 'A'. The problem was that I could not get it to mate with the turret sides from the Tamiya kit. Rather than attempt an elaborate cutting job I ordered the Tiger Model Designs mid production turret. When the turret arrived it looked very impressive. However, I could not get the turret roof to sit correctly on the turret sides. After much debate about what to do I went back and compared the Dragon roof to the TMD. I found that they were pretty much the same. In some areas the Dragon roof was better detailed and in others the TMD was superior. What sealed it for me was when the Dragon roof sat perfectly on the TMD turret.
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