Pz.Kfpw. VI, Tiger I
1/15th Scale
Kit contents
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Bandai Pz.Kfpw. VI, Tiger I 1/15th Scale Kit contents |
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Bandai's
Pz.Kfpw. VI, Tiger I, is a really well executed, multi-media
kit. It far out-classes the other kits in their 1/15th scale lineup The Tiger comes complete and ready to assemble as a Remote Control kit. This is not to be confused with Radio Control, or R/C. Remote Control is acheived with a hand held box that has a wire which runs from the controller to the model. You must follow the tank closely behind. However, Bandai provides complete instructions |
and templates for servos to convert it to R/C operation. As of this writing, HobbyLinc Japan is the only company who has the the Bandai Tiger 1 kit, and they are listed at ¥ 24000 each, or about $200. Shipping on this model runs about $80, but it is well worth it. My order took two weeks to arrive. The kit comes neatly packed with suspension and gear boxes mounted on bubble packs. The first impression is very good.
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| What's in the box? | ||
| Track Links | Polystyrene with separate links. They seem to be pretty sturdy since the load is spread out in the hinge points. The links are secured with a long thin nail--exactly as Tamiya's King Tiger. I'm not sure if they are suitable for extensive outdoor play. The links themselves are a tiny-bit heavy handed in detail. However, I can overlook that. |
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| Bogeys | Plastic with separate rubber tire. The instructions show the Idler bogey being mounted on each side with a machine screw. This is rather dubious as the idler bogey takes most of the forward motion force. | |
| Sprockets | Die cast metal (steel? pewter?). They are secured to the output shaft of the gear box with a screw and are heavy duty. |
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| Suspension |
Die cast metal arms with simulated torsion bar suspension.
Unlike Tamiya's King Tiger, which
uses true torsion bars, Bandai uses a spring clip. This is okay,
I suppose. It saves space inside the model. It would be nice if there were bushing inserts into the hull to prevent wear where the suspension arm turns in it's mounting. |
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| Chassis | Plastic. |
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| Turret |
Bandai made this a late model E type, which comes with triple smoke
grenade launcher on each side of the turret. Details are excellent. Both commander's and loader's hatches are authentically hinged and openable. The cannon even comes with a detailed breech. |
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| Hull |
Upper hull is two pieces which are glued together during assembly.
The Hull attaches to chassis with screws through the chassis into
clips which are cemented to the hull. Details are crisp and excellent. A mesh screen is provided for the radiator openings and soft neoprene tubing is provided to connect the air-breathers to the caburetor inlet manifold. Driver and bow-gunner's hatches are hinged. This model is meant to be played with. Tow cables are actual wire, beating Tamiya's vinyl ones. |
 
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| Gear Boxes |
Twin, separate gear drives with motors, unlike the Panzer IV
series. The twin gearboxes are stamped 3/32" aluminum. They come with black nylon gears and are fully bushed with brass. I think they stack up well against the new twin gearboxes Tamiya uses in their Sherman and King Tiger. In addition Bandai provides an extra gear for each which (looks like) you can change ratios. |
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| Decals | Individual numbers and letter are provided, as well as unit markings for Das Reich (Kursk and later), and LAH (Leibstandarte). |
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| Motor Controller |
This kit comes as a Remote Controlled kit, with a small hand
held control box that connects to the rear of the tank with a cable.
The batteries are carried onboard. Bandai provides all the parts neeeded, plus instructions to make an analog motor controller for this kit, but obviously an electronic speed controller (ESC) like Tamiya's DMD would be nice. In fact, you could use Tamiya's DMD with this model since it also uses RS-380 motors. The alternative is to use two ESCs, but that could be expensive. I'm sticking with the Bandai motor controller, at least for now. |
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| Instructions |
The instructions are 100% in Japanese with no English translation.
This is somewhat of a drawback, but the illustrations are well done
so an average modeller shouldn't have too hard of a time getting it
built.
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| Summary | ||
| This is an great model for the indoor AFV enthusiast! The details are crisp and the running gear is nicely done. At about $290.00 (includes shipping from Japan), this is an great value and will add an important AFV to you large scale tank colledtion. | ||
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