Airfix / Academy 1/35 Tiger 1 Early 'Citadel', Full Build Review

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This is my full build review for the Airfix / Academy 1/35 Tiger 1 Early 'Citadel', this kit is challenging and I explain why and improve a few areas, we have a look at phot etch tool clamps, 3D printed tool clamps and tow cable clamps and improve the tow cables using copper wire.
Info for Tiger details:
tiger1.info/EN/Rear-deck-plate...
tiger1.info/EN/Radiator-duct.html
tiger1.info/
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[@haydenmcdaniels6284]

I have this exact model kit that I'm working on rn and its HEAVILY detailed to every detail and every thing

[@EMTBAFV]

I got the new non interior version of the new Tunisia Tiger from Bovington tank museum couple months ago! There Normally white boxes the non interior kit's but they do bring them out along side the full interior kit's! It's on ebay for £29.76 it's not an expensive kit and you get 3 D printed parts in the box! Even in Bovington it was only £45 but hope this helps you because you definitely get RFM tigers with no interiors aswell alot cheaper!

[@PeteCourtier]

Love those tool clamps and the weld seam tip. Cracking stuff👍

[@DiagolonRider]

academy has a brand new version of this tank that I'm doing now. it's the '70th anniversary mid Tiger I' and it's beautiful. everything fits perfect. the only problem i had so far (besides the zimmerit ;P) is those tiny exhaust covers. i lost 2 of those pins the instant i touched them with my tweezers they simply disappeared, then i broke 2 more, so I've got the top covers on with only 3 pins in each one lol. this is the first model I'm doing after about 30 years so it's a challenge, but I'm having a blast building again. Soooo much has changed since the 80's in modeling, and that's good change!!! love your videos and commentary and keep up the great work!

[@kenhanson1819]

I really enjoyed this video, even if I currently don't have plans to build the Airfix/Academy kit, it's great to know what to look out for. You explain everything so well and those PE tool clamps are a work of art!

[@joetanner7329]

Thank you so much for putting this series together! I've binged my way through most of the videos in this great playlist and have finally picked up a kit to get started with, a Tamiya Panzerkampfwagen V Panther (Sd.kfz. 171) Ausf. A. I haven't built a model for over 20 years and for various reasons those happy memories had turned to unhappy memories over time. However, you've inspired me to get back into it, so once again thank you for all the great videos :-)

[@TheRyatt]

Excellent tutorial. Loved the techniques you used to overcome the issues. The use of detailed up parts to liven up the model was brilliant

[@matthall143]

A great video. I learned a lot watching you make the corrections. Your pain was not in vain!!

[@themagnificentmackrel6505]

well done on making a kit that seems flawed into something good. Love the cocktail stick hull solution

[@glencwilson]

One of the first kits I did after starting model making again was a Tamiya Tiger which I was and still am happy with. Wanted to do another one and this was on my list but not now (though maybe worth getting just to test myself)! Though the kit itself looks awful the changes you made to make it work are impressive. Small details like the PE really make a huge difference. I really look forward to Thursdays for this series. Thank you.

[@jeffreywall8822]

I just bought one of these A1354 scale model kit and was not able to fit part B 10 on to the front sloping part B 2. The problem was when I put part B 19 in place it blocked out the viewing slit. I was able to get it right by removing the recess part on B 2 so as it was flush against part B 10. Now B 1 also is flush as before it would not sit in the recess on part B 10. Thank you for your excellent videos, look forward to seeing the others. I will drill a hole through the smoke canister brackets and through the turret to hold them in place, by placing a piece of sprue or evergreen rod through them as there are no pre sunken holes or anything to hold them on. And I have just completed that part by using 05 mm drill bit and dressmakers pins, I used superglue with the end with the ball on in side the turret. I then cut the end off with wire cutters and smooth with metal file, there was just still a small part sticking out but that was good for holding the other plate with the canisters on. And so thank you once again for giving me the inspiration to be able to do this. I am enjoying this build even more now I love these kits it is my 6th Airfix / Acadamy back to back build.

[@HvonC]

This is excellent stuff. A cheap kit that doesn’t need a lot of extras and involves a little skill. To be honest the negativity was a bit wearing at times. Just a suggestion but maybe just make your recommendation if you need to and then make the best of it without a lot more complaining. That aside, great stuff - thanks.

[@John_Sharrock]

Great job mate...You made a silk purse out of a pigs ear 👍

[@RimsModels]

Excellent build there my my friend love the tool clamps and tow cables great video stay safe 👍🙏

[@johntreloar8203]

I agree with you 100% this is not a kit for beginners, but you have worked some magic and it doesn't look too bad.

[@gjce1]

Great video, thanks for the heads-up about this kit. I'll buy the Tamiya early Tiger 👍

[@liamgray9805]

Great video sir, im currently building Tamiya 1/35 early Tiger 1 - very helpful, cheers.

[@allanrichards6448]

About 20 years ago I made the 1/6th scale Armotek radio control Tiger and super detailed it. Making 1/6th wing nuts and all those tool clamps was a real challenge. There are so many subtle changes that you have to be precise about the year of your model. I think those oval feifels came in in 1943 over the twin cylinder shape on 131. All in all with kits I have found the cost of upgrade parts to be significant so I think if a good quality accurate kit is available then its best to go for that if you really want an accurate model. Excellent video though.

[@johngoodman3506]

I had an Armortek Tiger too, most fun kit ever!

[@allanrichards6448]

@@johngoodman3506 Small world. Armortek are brilliant models and very well engineered. They are still being made but I think the original couple who started the company have sold it on. I sold my Tiger and Sherman because I didn't have anywhere to run them as they were heavy enough to chew up the garden and lawn when turning. With their weight I also didn't have anyway to transport them.

[@the-primered-thumb]

Chewing my way through a eduard rebox of an academy king tiger, shimming seems to be par for the course, great video's by the way 😁👌

[@foreverplastickits138]

*i can't wait for the paint, your improvements are very good! I don't think there is a Tiger plastic kit 100% satisfying on the market. Whatever, building it is always a pleasure!*

[@daveybyrden3936]

That's true. But some of them are 95% satisfying, some are 70% and some are 30%.

[@brianhurley6289]

Tiny phoo etch would drive me nuts. Fair dues to you!

[@daniel-m]

A very informative video, thank you for that. I have on hand a 1/35 scale tiger from Tamiya which also looks very good to me.

[@mrizaac2062]

This was my first build ever. Peril

[@richielamb2733]

I’ve just finished this kit ....it nearly sapped my mojo ,if it wasn’t the fact I broke my hand at work and had 4 weeks with no modelling think it would’ve ended back in the box and put in the corner of doom , it took a lot of work to make it a reasonable build .

[@clifftrimble2616]

Love your add-ons the tool clasps and all.. I have the Airfix Grant and I think its also a rebox of the Academy kit but I cant tell if they have added the correct suspension pieces or not. I do have the original Academy Grant and their extra suspension correction set but its buried in my stash some where.

[@jodyblackwell9012]

love your videos keep building brother

[@ruangkriya]

beautiful detailing

[@belgianmechanic3971]

The new 2021 Border Model kit is a must!

[@jeanmarcgalzy7747]

Bonjour mon ami 👍😀Hello my friend 👍I enjoy watching your job 💪great build 👍I like your channel buddy 😎congrats good morning of France 🇫🇷✌️😀

[@johntreloar8203]

This is why I've watched all the Adam Mann videos on tiger 1 kits, and there are plenty of them...

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Looks great!!!

[@huwtindall7096]

Been considering building my first Tiger recently so glad I watched this. Food for thought. May hold off and work my way through a few kits on the shelf (m4a3 to paint, a Grant, a Pak40, and a sd.kfz 232 8 rad) before getting a Tiger. Also, photo etch is the devil's spawn. Or maybe I've got fat fingers.

[@joebringas4807]

Get the Dragon 131 initial. You can usually find it for about $60. Way superior

[@huwtindall7096]

@@joebringas4807 just checked and in the UK can get that Dragon kit for about £55 so not cheap! Tamiya Tiger 1 for £25 or Italieri for £30. Could spend the difference on some nice upgrades like metal barrel, workable tracks etc.

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

Huw, firstly thanks for the pint! Secondly you have found the trouble with Dragon in UK, it also only has DS tracks I believe. For an initial (which I don’t think anyone actually wanted) RFM is bringing out an updated version of their earlier initial and that, finally seems to be accurate in all the obvious areas oob. There is another Tiger which is great and cheap and that is Zvezda but they have two out with the same box number, one has upgraded and correct tracks and has fixed a load of issues, the other still has bad tracks and all the issues, the only way to be sure is to either see the kit (it will have link and length tracks) or buy the Italeri rebox. It still has incorrect schemes in the italeri box but the kit is accurate for specific Tigers. Tamiya with upgrades remains the easiest entry point and Border/RFM will be changing the game in 2021 so plenty of options. Ammo have both for preorder at a good price, this was all pre Dec 31st though.

[@huwtindall7096]

@@ChampionScaleModelling my word those Border and RFM models look good. €42 for the RFM model is very tempting. All those accessories on the Border one too look awesome. Along with figures having the accessories really brings a build to life IMO. Given the plastic backlog I think I'll hold off and wait for these new kits to come along and reassess.

[@federicocourrech3970]

EXCELENTE KiT Y GRAN TRABAJO DE ARMADO. SALUDOS

[@johnblessing2642]

Nice job, excellent build and information. This one will definitely NOT go my kits to buy list.

[@Frakfayt]

Really a interesting series of videos...

[@MrBMBuilder]

Nice vid, lots of work/detailing going on here :)

[@jurgen6768]

Well I won't be purchasing this model. However I went onto the Historex site and purchased some clamps and rifle slings so bit of a bonus. I have Tamiyas' Tiger 1 early prod' with the full Aber set and Fruil tracks in my stash for a build sometime this year. Really enjoy watching your videos and look forward to the next one.

[@Frserthegreenengine]

I was thinking of getting the Academy/Airfix Tiger I 131. But now seeing this video, I think I'll skip it. Might get the Tamiya one or the Zvezda one and find aftermarket decals to make Tiger 131. Great video!

[@daveybyrden3936]

I would recommend Tamiya for that purpose, unless you want to splash out for Dragon's dedicated "131".

[@gordonlangdon780]

Hi. I’ve just subscribed and I’m really enjoying your videos. I’ve just bought this model….. before I watched your build. Oops. However your video is going to be invaluable to me! Just a quick question- did you ever finish building the Roden Heinkel 111 B Pedro. Just bought one on the cheap…. Really cheap.

[@dazza8798]

Nice academy kit

[@peterhorne6837]

Hi Kevin, thanks for the review, however this Tiger 1 kit produced by Academy is a very old kit, which started life without a full interior, and was later offered with an interior, which was the worst interior ever produced by a plastic manufacturer and completely inacurate and required the builder to fit the then available verlinden interior kit. I dont know why Academy persist in re-releasing this kit as it requires a tremendous amount of work just trying to accurize it and provide weld seams etc. The fact that Airfix has adopted it as a basis for their release is beyond understanding. There are far better kits of a Tiger 1 available by other manufacturers to choose from nowdays like DML Dragon, Border Models, Rye Field, Takom and Tamiya.

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

Fine points but who is Kevin?

[@memememe2674]

Airfix took it on because if was old crap and cheap, they will make losfs on this kit, like all their old crap kits n o w in new boxes to trick the buyers

[@bobbybates2614]

I remember the airfix tiger tank kit in a plastic bag with thd instructions with thd picture stapled to the bag

[@flitsertheo]

That is the 1/76th model, no connection with this 1/35th model.

[@chriselmes6810]

The gun mantlet is also an issue. The first 100 inital/early production models has a cut out on the bottom corners of the mantlet as these were intended for the porsche entry, which had a slightly raised engine deck. This can clearly be seen on Tiger 131 of dritte truppe, 1kompanie 504 S.pz abt at Bovington !

[@EMTBAFV]

I use them albion alloys tubbing alot for my armour builds! Great for running wires on full interiors or what your doing here the cleaning rod's I do this actually done it the other day for my Dragon stug B with kit bashed half original plastic and cut to size 3D printed latch from the Tiger's cleaning rod's just to give it more 3D detail once drilled the housings out! I know you get PE ones for it but when you don't have it n need something now situation but it's looking great fornthe added detail! What was that about the tigers fifels? You get rfm tiger non interior! I've got RFM fifels spare here and S mine launchers! Got about 5 RFM tigers get them spare just throw them in a marked box Tiger spares! Getting ridiculous really lol mengs nuts and bolts are good for doing the threaded bolts onnthe clamps for the fifels! I tried it to see how it looked not thinking it would be noticeable really but it is! Once painted its a great bit of detailing the threaded long bolt coming through the nut like! I've spare mantlets and slide Moulded barrels there for the Tiger RFM aswell if the video was just going up as a started build I'd have said maybe you could have kit bashed it with some extras

[@Tankbrusher]

good video mate! By the time one of these lesser (no offence) Tiger Kits is fixed to the level you did on this one, I wonder if it would not be better to just recommend a proper kit to start with. I mean doing the math on the cables, ordering them, drilling holes in tracks I would have lost interest all together (looking back two years). Started RFMs new inital today and had a blast putting it together so far for example, decided to print my own tracks just to cut the 900+ parts down to a 1/3 and still have motivation left, might in the end be even cheaper cheaper than a updetailed Academy(?) kit. Looking forward to the next episode, keep the quality up - really enjoyed watching!

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

Thanks, yes hopefully that came across as it was the point of the video, looking forward to your updates too! 👍

[@mikegregory8353]

Great video. Just watching this whilst I wait for my Airfix late Tiger to turn up in the post. Beginning to wish I hadn’t bought it now. Looks like I should have gone for Tamiya instead. Any advice?🙏🏻

[@russouk]

good to see airfix do one..but better off getting the tamiya one and cheaper if you get cooker cable it has twisted copper in it I use...also the main cables are good for making handles as you can squash it where it bolts to tank,I then add sprue cut rivet heads...

[@flitsertheo]

Airfix ? Read "re-badged & reboxed Academy". Which brand I considered 20 30 years ago as bad copies of Tamiya kits.

[@tomtredgett1092]

I brought this kit and agree struggled with this kit and figuring out what bits to use and not.... gun barrel was best guess to get it as straight as possible. So yeah bit disappointed. Maybe will try a Tamiya kit next..... not sure what's best....

[@markbarratt1778]

You give hope to us mere mortals - love the video and as a Brit in the US I love your sense of humor!

[@epicforger12345]

Oh no as soon as I saw it was academy I knew this video was going to be interesting

[@Dontwlookatthis]

What was the thing that happened in the UK? Were Mr Wilson and Mr. Heath resurrected? By the way, reading the history of the 503 Tiger regiment (non-SS), their early Tigers had a tendency to lose the rubber tires and many a commander watched them roll away. It was so frequent they made up a song about it. If I am not mistaken it was the wheel that was was nearly on the drive sprocket. It be a point of contention when you see early Tigers with one of the front wheels just outside the drive sprocket where a lot of modelers have claimed that there was a mud accumulation between the front wheels so the outside wheel was removed.

[@bluefoxanimations2600]

This kit was like, my fourth (?) Tank Kit. (Built planes and cars beforehand)Was fun, until I realized I got the road wheels backwards, and don't get me started on those multi link tracks

[@paulbryson1692]

also another difficult job made to look easy well done I've watch one think it was the worst icm kit ever you finished it i let mien fall of my table i was so angry with the instructions that were sabotaged a pieces that fell apart as i tried to fit them

[@berra1991]

Nice video as always! Speaking of Tigers, have you seen the new too from Border Model? It looks to be a great kit from the little knowledge I have! Cheers!

[@paulbryson1692]

Seen an NY model maker building it done I good Job if u Caught it what were the name of the tracks he used if u know please drop me a line

[@daveybyrden3936]

It's not a great kit. It's a second-rate kit, and some of it was copied from Dragon without Border understanding what they were doing. Therefore they introduced some weird mistakes.

[@bobbybates2614]

I remember the very first tiger king from airfix ig wax in a bag

[@RogerBlackwell19004]

Tigers a hefty boi

[@timsears7541]

How about gluing the bottom of the tool clamp to the tank first then you don't have to hold onto it while attaching the other pieces?

[@jabonorte]

Feel your pain. Nothing worse than getting a kit thinking it will be a quick build and then having a 'mare. Like the tool clamps and 3d printed stuff!

[@AdamMann3D]

The original Academy with interior was the only kit I ever threw away mid build. It's a pig. You did a nice job with all that after market.

[@garymurphy5133]

Well said

[@djcrazythomashulks]

how did you put the wheels on?

[@kilbar67]

How did you fix and put in the place the tracks on this model, nightmare? Please share your tips

[@travis_thompson]

Border models new Tiger is looking better and better.

[@daveybyrden3936]

Better than Academy, but not near as good as Rye Field.

[@charleypower6330]

I have the same kit but differently tracks 😂

[@masemodelassembling]

Nice video about this great kit in my opinion, i wonder if i buy this kit or from tamiya so i choose tamiya

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

Good choice can’t go wrong as a base and you can improve what you want to 👍

[@masemodelassembling]

@@ChampionScaleModelling yes, yes you have right :)

[@PeteCourtier]

I have just finished the Tamiya Tiger1 late. Went together really well. Track links had ejector pin marks (4 on each link) so took a while to remove. It’s my second tank build (aircraft is my thing) so I can’t say if it’s better than the academy Tiger. I’ve built academy aircraft which are good.

[@masemodelassembling]

@@PeteCourtier nice but i have early production of tiger

[@PeteCourtier]

@@masemodelassembling I need to an early Tiger. 131 will be.built😀👍

[@vincentrathbone26]

These "Airfix" 1/35 kits were marketed as "NEW", I'm very disappointed to find out they were re-issues.

[@flitsertheo]

These days there are more re-boxed, re-issued and/or re-badged kits around than really new ones. And there must be more model kit Tigers now than there ever were real ones roaming the WW2 battlefields.

[@BAGHEAD1995]

Great upgrade work of a not so good kit. Some may say “JuSt BuY TaMiya or RyE FielD”, but I see that’s clearly not the point of this video - it’s about the work involved. I think it’s great, and there is lots to learn here.

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

This means so much coming from yOu

[@keithyork7691]

Thankyou for reviewing this kit....quite disappointing given this kis being sold in Australia for $100.00 +. Tnere are better kits with more to offer in the shape of PE and metal barrels for cheaper.

[@James-pb1st]

And the chain?

[@tinfoilhatorchestra5214]

Beautiful work...I cannot recommend the Airfix GMC M-10 tank destroyer kit...horrible barrel,rubber band tracks,vague instructions...it builds into a nice looking destroyer,but you'll go grey making it all fit.

[@cygnusx10]

Looks like a pretty poor kit to be honest - made an outstanding job of it though. Those Aber clamps should come with a PTSD warning though. Where do/did you get your flexible lead wire from? The place where I used to get mine went out of business long ago and I've been hoarding... coming to the end of it though, and most places that do sell it want a kings ransom. Great job - lots of skills on this one - looking forward to seeing it painted.

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

www.super-hobby.com/manufacturers/Eureka-XXL.html Here you go, not sure the state of things currently but should all be there 👍

[@cygnusx10]

@@ChampionScaleModelling Thanks dude, much appreciated!

[@dwightgouin3889]

Holy crap now this model is terrible 🤨 so I'm going to buy the Tamiya cause at least their's no fit issues as far as I know.

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

Nope you’ll be fine with that, the mid and late has individual tracks, the early has band tracks

[@dwightgouin3889]

Thank you for the advice and your builds have been amazing and entertaining. I will be watching the next parts of this build! ✌️

[@willthorson4543]

It's an old Academy kit. Takes way too much work and has a ton of inaccuracies. Good luck. Lol oh and the reason things don't fit well is that it was designed to have an interior, everything that kept the shape right is missing.

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

Yeah, found that out the hard way! 👍

[@paulbryson1692]

until Airfix star to make their own new tool kits they are shutting a lot of old fans who wish them well and behaving like frauds and fans and many kits are bought for kids I will make sure I double-check in future

[@dominicpizzey1515]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you're making an early or initial Tiger I, your mantlet is wrong as well... Tbh, this is why I avoid airfix these days... They were ok 30 years ago, but since they left the UK and were sold on, they just haven't been the same sadly.

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

Thanks but it’s not an initial and this is the same mantlet as on the tank I’m depicting.

[@daveybyrden3936]

Mantlets with the "thick" bar at the eyeholes were introduced at about the 30th Tiger off the production line. Therefore, many Initial and most Early Tigers had them.

[@dotdashdotdash]

if it’s got “Airfix” on the box, it’s probably going to be disappointing

[@flitsertheo]

You buy Airfix kits for the often very original themes, not for any other qualities. Though this is not an "authentic" Airfix kit so even the originality is lacking.

[@boringbar5379]

Why didn't the Designer of the tiger think of modellers 80 years later why do you Design a a schaust that bad to modell

[@stephen-hc3qz]

all airfix 1:35 is from Academy moulder and it is no meaning to buy airfix model

[@memememe2674]

£30 for that old kit was bad choice, detail very soft, airfixs own kits in mist part are bad, plus they rebox others crap kits, only buy airfixs very latest own kits, detail good But full of warped parts and sink marks or orange peel texture plastic, or just stay away and buy more reliable brands,

[@fuckingchina884]

You have chosen the wrong turret.

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

How so?

[@coling3957]

long story short ; buy TAMIYA ..

[@lawrencereid9375]

I wish you had started ther video by SIMPLY saying, "I wouldn't recommend this kit for a number of reasons which I will enumerte if you'd care to watch for 50 minutes." Too much rambling and repetition IMHO.

[@ilovenitnat]

Nonsense, love the chat.

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

Yeah, thanks but I did say that at the start (ish), thanks for grinding through 👍

[@thatluckysnxiper7840]

Sorry but the talking is annoying

[@ohlsenjulian3288]

I hate airfix kits..some planes are okay but overall their products and manuals are crap. Thought they were made in China when I bought it.

[@Dontwlookatthis]

What saw were you using to cut your #1 tubing? By the way, Ryefield is a very nice company. When their first Tiger was announced, I wrote to them and suggested that any criticism that they read from model reviewers (like Terry Ashley) were not meant to just destroy their product but was helpful criticism that they should pay attention to. As a result of that letter, they wrote back to me asking a really simple question about distributors in the United States. And then, two days before Christmas, they sent me a copy of their newly released Tiger! I thought that was awesome and a rather expensive gift!

[@the-primered-thumb]

Chewing my way through a eduard rebox of an academy king tiger, shimming seems to be par for the course, great video's by the way 😁👌