Pz.kpfw VI ausf. K (mod.1949)

 

First attempt to make this 1947's tiger. It was at may 2022. I used an old and cheap kit from one sadly known company I wish I've never used, because there were any other 1/72 king tiger (I'll never buy that again). The major upgrades is additional armor, 10.5 gun (it was mde from one of segments of original barrel and sprue, but broke apart) and 3 NVDs (commanders NVD lost). Most of upgrades made out on sprues, 0.75mm PVC sheet and Tamiya's two component putty. 

Quick scetch of my ideas to do when I was planning the next attempt. I'd deciced to mount heavy machine gun with NVD (such as FG 1250), an infrared spotlight and another NVD near the sight. Also launchers for smoke genades at the side pannels. 

I've decided to mount the Mg 131 on the commanders cupola, but before I need to model it. 

I was inspired by something german with very complicated name - Fliegerbeschussgerät 42. It is a bracket to mount the Mg34 or Mg42 onto commander cupola of german tanks.  

 

This is the final result of my month work -- I haven't created a cool, long or complicated name, so lets just call it Mg 131 bracket with FG-1250.  

Luckily for me, there are a new kit from Hobby Boss - King Tiger with 10.5cm gun (Hobby Boss 84559). That means that I dont need to model and print a barrel and rangefinders ports on sides. Despite some relief, there's still a lot of work ahead. 

What is really disappointing, is that the part of sprocket has crosspiece inside, which is notoriously difficult to cut out carefully without damaging outer wall. Also crosspiece's connections to detail is thick, so it adds complexity. 

Fun fact about this kit - this kit is provided with spare parts for older modifications of King Tiger. Basically, nearly all sprueces is identicall to sprueces from other all 6 "King Tiger" kits from Hobby Boss. It seems to me, that it was easier for them to just put differing this especial kit from others.