Assembly of the MENG King Tiger is very close to completion now. In this latest series of steps, I managed to finish assembling the hull and partially complete the turret. That leaves just the main gun barrel, a few more turret parts and the figures to work on before the German heavy tank is ready to receive a coat of primer. So here then is the penultimate post on the King Tiger assembly process.
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| MENG King Tiger work-in-progress: Partially completed turret with spare tracks |
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| MENG King Tiger work-in-progress: Assembling and attaching the headlight on the front glacis |
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| MENG King Tiger work-in-progress: Assembling and adding a lifting jack to the rear hull |
Assembly of the King Tiger hull is now complete with the assembly/addition of the following: a lifting jack and its supporting brackets as well as tow hooks on the rear hull; a front headlight; and the left front fender. Both side skirts and the front right fender were not utilized in this build version so as to stay true to
Tank 124 of Pz.Abt. 505 found in Poland sometime in late 1944. Actually, my version isn't 100% accurate as the historical version is missing its headlights. It was an error on my part so I might still remove the headlights. But I'll leave it where it is for now and only decide later.
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| Step 21: Assembly and attachment of the lifting jack (rear fenders were excluded from this build version) |
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| Step 22: Assembly and attachment of the headlights on the front glacis |
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| Step 23: Attachment of the front fenders, side skirts (excluded in this build) and rear tow hooks |
Subsequently, more details were added to the King Tiger turret such as hooks for the spare tracks; covers for the viewports and other miscellaneous parts. This leaves only the gun barrel and main hatches left unattached to the turret. So the German heavy tank is essentially 98% assembled.
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| Step 29 and 30: Attaching turret parts such as hooks for spare tracks, viewport covers, etc. |
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| Step 31: Adding more hooks for spare tracks and other miscellaneous turret parts |
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| Step 32: Assembling and attaching spare tracks on the hooks, gun mantlet and miscellaneous parts |
A pair of crewmen is included in the kit and that together with the rest of the King Tiger should be assembled by the next post. Until then, I'll hold off on sharing my thoughts regarding how the MENG model kit compares to Tamiya kits. Soon the iconic WW2 tank will be ready for its coat of primer. And only then will the hard work of painting begin. Now though, it's back to the assembly process.
Looking awesome! Waiting for more!
ReplyDeleteNot much more left to assemble!
DeleteI continue to be impressed by this build.
ReplyDeleteMeng Model kits are pretty impressive although the amount of tiny parts to be assembled can be a nightmare.
DeleteThe dedication you are putting on this model is incredible. I simply lack your perseverance and endurance. My admiration, sir!
ReplyDeleteImho, you sir do not lack perseverance and endurance at all ... look at your fantastic conversions :)
DeleteReally looks like quite a detailed kit.
ReplyDeleteIt is, at least for a straight-out-of-the-box built with admittedly one external addition i.e. the zimmerit decals.
DeleteLooking great , looking forward to see more progress.
ReplyDeleteGreetings
By the next post the Meng King Tiger's assembly should be complete!
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