Tiger I Early Production Pz.Kpfw.VI Tiger I on the East-Front
 

Reviewed by Frank De Sisto

Summary

FirstLook

Although these days I am not a small-scale modeler (too tiny for these old eyes!), I cut my modeling teeth on Airfix kits well over 40 years ago. So I appreciate what a joy it must be for you Braille-scalers to be immersed in what is nothing less than a “Renaissance”. The kit manufacturers are on the band wagon as are many astute after-market companies, such as Bison.

This 3.75 x 5-inch sheet (as well as a teensy ½-inch square sheet) provides markings for a total of 23 complete individual Tiger Is of the so-called “Early Production” variety. The units represented are:

• H.s.Pz.Abt.502
• H.s.Pz.Abt.503
• H.s.Pz.Abt.505
• s.SS Pz.Kp. “Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler”
• s.SS Pz.Kp. “Das Reich”
• s.SS Pz.Kp. “Totenkopf”
• Panzergrenadier Division “Grossdeutschland”

Each unit is represented by several vehicles and there is an enormous amount of variety to be seen in camouflage schemes and markings, especially the Tac numbers and unit insignia. Colors of the Tac numbers vary from standard black/white, red/white, solid black and solid white to yellow/black and double-outline black/white. The famous “Tiki” is included as is the so-called “Chinese” Tiger.

The decals are beautifully printed by Microscale and feature extraordinarily fine details and excellent color saturation, while being in perfect registration. This is important since there are several items that are not only multi-colored, but are surrounded by fine borders; and this is a 1/72nd-scale sheet! The instructions consist of two full, single-sided A4 sheets, which include multiple views of all Tigers complimented by numbered call-outs that match a “map”, which in turn covers the particular designs needed for a given scheme. In all cases color information is given as well.

This is a very well-researched sheet with enough markings to satisfy any fan of this type of Tiger I. Excellent stuff!

Highly Recommended

Bison products are available at retail and mail order shops and directly from the manufacturer at: http://www.angelfire.com/pro/bison . Visit their web site for images of reviewed items.