"Tiger Tank diorama, need some advice..." Topic

Hello all,

So for a long time I've wanted to deviate from my usual fantasy and historical gaming and do a few dedicated historical model dioramas.

My budget can handle about $100 USD at this time.

I've decided on doing a pretty basic, straightforward Tiger Tank diorama.

I would also like to do some of the "upgrades" and historical improvements that are available, like the brass-etched stuff, replacing certain components (the gun barrel?), adding historically correct Zimmerit, etc.

I've heard many good things about Tamiya's Tiger Tank. I'm looking to do the Mid-Production version. I'm not looking to do any crew, this would be just the tank with the hatch closed on a scenic base.

Can you fine people steer me towards the best kit and upgrade components I could manage for $100 USD?

The last thing I need is (I don't have an airbrush) to do some kind of basecoat with an appropriate historical color of Testors model spray or something like it. What color spray should I go for with the basecoat?

I do own the Osprey book on modeling the Tiger Tank which seems to have pretty good information. IIRC the Tigers came out of the factory painted in I think something called "Dunkel"? A kind of yellowish color?

Thanks in advance!

P.S. Just wanted to add one additional detail. I've got about 20 years of modeling experience with both metal minis. and plastic minis, as well as assembling and painting resin buildings.

So I think at this point I could handle working with the brass etched stuff and other detailed components.

There are some really good Tiger kits out there.

Tamiya has some newly tooled Tiger I's which are quite good, but not perfect, their oldest Tiger dating from the 70's is poor at best.

Dragon has some really good Tiger I kits.

Meng, Takom and Rye Field models also make Tiger kits, some have a full interior, but they can be pricey.

For German tanks get the Army Painter German Yellow spray can, that should take care of that. Not all German camo was spraypainted, some was done with a brush or a mop, so you can easily do hand painted camo.

Unless you are doing a very early Tiger you will need zimmerit assuming that you are doing a Tiger 1

You can shave a few bucks and get any of the Tamiya Tigers in 1/48 and consider adding some Hauler PE. You can do a base in yellow gelb in a can, and then weather away … well under $100 USD US. If you can find the 1/48 Tiger from AFV Club, it comes with zimmermitt molded in

Thanks guys!

Tamiya TS-3 Dark Yellow in spray can is a very good Dunkelgelb. Works well over a dark brown or black primer coat which makes a nice pre-shade. Several thin coats works best.

About a hundred bucks for a model tank kit is about right.

It's a damned sin, the way models are so overpriced these days. When I was a kid, we all used to collect, assemble, and paint models. Nowadays, no kid can afford that. It's criminal.

Not sure prices are much different really allowing for inflation and every young person I encounter these days seems to have £800.00 GBP+ worth of phone about their person and have you paid to see a band recently? lol
Im constantly gob smacked when I go to a National Heritage site and they want me to pay £20.00 GBP entry……………
I remember when it was 1s 6d.
L