[Synthesis]

Hi. I'm new here, but I've relied on the 'Hangar on some advice in the past (buying a Revell F-14D, specifically). I was really happy with it, so I thought I'd seek some advice again. I'm interested in getting a die-cast Tiger I...at first, I thought of Dragon Armour's Tiger I 1/35, but they're prohibitedly expensive, much to my dismay. I noticed Forces of Valor makes a lot of different vehicles in 1/32--as well as a cheaper Tiger I. Does anyone have any review or recommendations on it? I noticed they also make a Jagdpanther and a very neat Flak-88 in the same scale, as well as a nice T-34. Would Forces of Valor be a good way to go if you wanted to get several things in the same scale?

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by Synthesis

Hi. I'm new here, but I've relied on the 'Hangar on some advice in the past (buying a Revell F-14D, specifically). I was really happy with it, so I thought I'd seek some advice again. I'm interested in getting a die-cast Tiger I...at first, I thought of Dragon Armour's Tiger I 1/35, but they're prohibitedly expensive, much to my dismay. I noticed Forces of Valor makes a lot of different vehicles in 1/32--as well as a cheaper Tiger I. Does anyone have any review or recommendations on it? I noticed they also make a Jagdpanther and a very neat Flak-88 in the same scale, as well as a nice T-34. Would Forces of Valor be a good way to go if you wanted to get several things in the same scale?

Welcome to the forum Synthesis!

In 1/32 scale FOV make an exceptionally nice King Tiger with lots of metal and an authentic 'rugged' look . I've heard that their Tiger I is also good but have not yet seen one in person.

[Berkut76]

If you don't mind your Tiger I being a composite of early, mid, and late production variants all in one, then go for it. In short, it woefully inaccurate for the time period it represents.

My opinion of FoV 1:32 scale models is low since they look nice in the box, but fit and finish is a lot to be desired (just try putting "skirts" on armored vehicles) and the materials used in production are of low quality. I would also shy away from Hobby Store enthusiast releases, which have vomit-like weathering and heavy panel lines.

All in all, smaller 1:72 scale Dragon and hopefully Admiral Toys models as well as late superlative 1:50 Corgi Armor and Hobby Master 1:56 and 1:48 releases present a far better value than Forces of Valor products.

If you are interested in early Tiger I, than 1:56 Hobby Master mold is the best on the market both, in terms of level of detail and fit and finish.

Regards,

Sergey

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by Berkut76

I would also shy away from Hobby Store enthusiast releases, which have vomit-like weathering and heavy panel lines.

I beg to differ on this .

Granted, the finish of the 1/32 King Tiger is somewhat 'over the top' but nevertheless bears a remarkable resemblance to that of those actual vehicles that saw active combat (as seen in archival footage) - they were not only weathered but also covered in various forms of dirt and grime and bore little resemblance to the pristine 'out of the box' factory workshop look that is so beloved by many die-cast collectors.

[Synthesis]

Thanks for the welcome, Cardinal.

I personally don't like the look of the King Tiger--plus, I guess I'm just a sucker for the Tiger I, from a historic aspect as well as it's somewhat antiquated but sturdy appearance. Still, it's good to know.

Berkut76--I understand the difference between production models, though I doubt I would have recognized it myself (I'm only vaguely familiar with some of the differences) without being pointed out.

I'm really most interested in it's "finish"--one of the reasons I wanted the Dragon Armor Tiger was it's abundance of openable hatches and distinctly metallic look. Plus, I generally aim for larger models--I was shooting for something in 1/32 or 1/35 scale (especially since smaller models rarely seem to have openable hatches).

Though I suppose the real thing going for FOV is that they have so much stuff available--I could get a Tiger I, a Panther, a T-34, whatever, fairly easily...I'm just concerned about the quality.

EDIT: In retrospect, I think I might be a sucker for the "factory machining finish" as well, but I'm not certain--that might only be for fighter aircraft.

[hworth18]

Synthesis,
I used to collect the FOV 1/32 armor and for the most part, it is great stuff.. The Tiger I is nice, but its main detraction for me was the Drivetrain and tracks which are incorrrect, specifically the drive sprocket and track alignment teeth.. The alignment teeth should be on the inside of the drive sproket NOT on the outside..

[Synthesis]

Originally Posted by hworth18

Synthesis,
I used to collect the FOV 1/32 armor and for the most part, it is great stuff.. The Tiger I is nice, but its main detraction for me was the Drivetrain and tracks which are incorrrect, specifically the drive sprocket and track alignment teeth.. The alignment teeth should be on the inside of the drive sproket NOT on the outside..

Well, I think I could overlook that..again, I'm more interested in the overall product and it's appearance. I know that the FOV pieces come with a crewman sticking out of the turret--not something I'd like (more used to crewless models), especially since that seems to be the only openable hatch, but I guess I could overlook it...

[tankguy]

I don't believe the Tiger one has opening hatches on the hull. You might try 21st Century's 32x diecast/plastic composite. A lot cheaper but with steel wheels and cast cupola making it a weird amalgamation of features. It does have a much neater, more "pristine" appearance. You should go call some hobby stores near you and see if any carry the models so you can look at them before ordering. Lots of good stuff available now in 1/32 scale.

[Cardinal]

Synthesis, you can't go wrong with the Dragon 1/35 Tiger I as it is an excellent model (which I initially hesitated buying for many months) that I'm extremely happy with - be aware though that it does have some plastic content.

The best 1/35 armour range as regards overall metal content and quality (not to mention pristine 'factory fresh' finish) is, in my opinion, that of Minichamps - my favourite piece of die-cast armour is the 'winter/snow' Leopard 2A4 which has considerable 'mojo' .

[Synthesis]

Originally Posted by Cardinal

Synthesis, you can't go wrong with the Dragon 1/35 Tiger I as it is an excellent model (which I initially hesitated buying for many months) that I'm extremely happy with - be aware though that it does have some plastic content.

The best 1/35 armour range as regards overall metal content and quality (not to mention pristine 'factory fresh' finish) is, in my opinion, that of Minichamps - my favourite piece of die-cast armour is the 'winter/snow' Leopard 2A4 which has considerable 'mojo' .

I did like the Dragon Armor Tiger I--the green Tunisia color isn't that ugly (but it reminds me a lot of an American tank's paintjob), and I've found a winter-camo Tiger I for $45 (not including shipping)--expensive, but it could be worse.

The problem is, there doesn't seem to be a lot else in Dragon Armor's 1/35 series....they've got a lot of 1/72 models, but those are kind of small (but a lot cheaper).

Minichamps seems to have some variety--and you're right, Cardinal, they do have a nice, solid metalic look about them, and the Tiger I's colors are much, much nicer. The Jadgpanther and Panther are both quite nice...I'm wondering if there's a Stug as well or a Panzer IV.

There were some very nice pictures of Minichamps here. Very, very nice.