Now I know you are going to say "hey, didn't we just have a book on this subject?" Well yes and no. Yes, there was a modelling the Tiger book, but it was limited to 1/72 scale. This one covers the larger scales.

The first thing I noticed is that there is no longer a section on tools and how to use them. Frankly, this isn't really needed as the authors of the various articles cover what is needed. The one page introduction covers the history of Tiger models in 1/35 scale, which is exactly what needs to be there. If you want a history of the real vehicle, there are other places to get a lot more information.

Typical of these books, there are multiple build articles, all using a plethora of aftermarket, kit bashing and some scratchbuilding. These books have evolved to where they show advanced techniques and I have to say that they accomplish just that. This is done in part by the excellent write-ups for each build and by the copious use of superb color photography to help show what and how. Of course, the 'FSM' style of having an airbrush or paintbrush poignantly included in some photos is a bit much, but it does get the idea across.

OK, so what are the builds?

First is Steve vanBevern's initial production Tiger I in Tunisia during 1943. Probably the least complex of the builds.

Next, Gary Edmundson does a mid production vehicle from Normandy in 1944 that includes a zimmerit 'how to'.

Dinesh Med has a late production tank from Prussia in 1944. Though this and all the 1/35 builds are listed as 'intermediate', for this old aircraft builder, I'd put it at 'advanced'!

Gary Edmunson is back with another initial production tank from Kursk in 1943. I should mention that these builds are all based on various Dragon kits as they seem to have the edge.

For a Germany 1945 late production Tiger, Darren Thompson has included bits from at least three kits to  build his.

The final build is a 1/16th Tamiya kit by David Parker. This early production tank has a lot of additional work put into it and is listed as advanced.

These superb builds are followed by two appendices; one on available kits in 1/48, 1/35 and 1/16 along with a section on further reading or browsing.

This all results in another superlative book in the Osprey Modelling series and one can see why these books are so popular.

July 2007

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