Tamiya-Gaz

How do I know when/if to use zimmerit on my tank? I'm new to tank building and mainly build 1/24 cars and 1/12th bikes, but I'd like the chance to really use my weathering and dry brushing techniques so I picked up a Tamiya Tiger1 tank kit the other day, looks quite a nice kit to start with. I did build a Sherman when I was a kid but that doesn't really count.

The artwork on the box and the instructions make no reference to zimmerit, but having done a tiny bit of research, it seems most German armoured vehicles had this during WW2, is it worth trying to create this effect or leave it off?

PS I don't mind hard tedious graft, it's a good stress reliever I find!

Marius

Hi! I have encountered many Huge mistakes in artworks and even in instructions so DON't follow them at a glance. Study the problem! I surely know that in september '44 the Germans decided to stop using zimmerit on all vehicles. The Tigers from North Africa didn't have any zimmerit. It depends on the activity area of your model and the year. You can choose a tiger without any zimmerit, because there where many like this. I can give you many more informaion if you give me more details. I hope i didn't post too late.

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Tamiya-Gaz

Hi, thanks for the input.

You're not too late, I have only done some basic work to the tank so far, still painting the wheels at the moment, all 32 of them!

The Tamiya instructions give me 4 options of colour scheme for the tank depending on where and when it was used, I've gone for a tank used in the summer of '43 if my memory serves me correctly, dark yellow and green. S33 I think it has marked on the hull.

Please forgive my lack of knowledge in the subject, but I am new to military modelling, and there is so much to learn!

Marius

In an OKH order dated 1943-12-29, Zimmerit was to be applied on the

• Pz.Kpfw. III,
• Pz.Kpfw. IV (100 kg.),
• Pz.Kpfw. Panther (160 kg.),
• Pz.Kpfw. Tiger (200 kg.),
• Sturmgeschütze (70 kg.),
• Panzerjäger 38t and
• Panzerjäger Hornisse

So your tank has no zimmerit. Lucky you!
I know the "s33" from Tamyia, it's pretty common. You will surely find photos with the model already done on the net. I have seen many before.

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