The Tiger tank is one of the icons of the Second World War. As such, it has been very well served by several model makers
in a variety of scales, most notably in 1/35th scale. Accordingly, the list of aftermarket items is very long indeed. A
welcome addition to this list is the recently issued “SS Tiger Tank Commander, 1944-45” from Ultracast
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The figure comes in the now-standard clear plastic bag and reinforcing card backing. A colour image gives an idea of one of the temperate colour patterns worn, but the modeller will have a choice of several others. The uniform is not for winter use: check your references. The figure is molded in the standard Ultracast light cream resin, and is designed to fit neatly into the cupola of a Tiger. I noted no deformities or bubbles in my sample. The castings are beautifully done, with very fine attachment joints to the pour blocks, making for quick and easy separation and cleanup. The single-piece body is augmented with two heads, two left arms and three right arms, giving up to twelve variations (if my high school math is still workable). The heads include one with a headset on and in a “yelling” mode. The neck joint is rounded so that the modeller can position the head as he/she wishes. Other features include the keying of the arms with square pegs, thus simplifying the arm/body join. The overall casting is excellent, with the pistol holster and the separated thumbs on each hand being especially noteworthy. Of course, the parts not used can easily be used to augment other suitable figures. |
Although the noted colour image gives one version of the uniform’s disruptive pattern, I’d suggest that the inclusion of a short
painting instruction, either by a colour diagram or a paint callout list, would be useful.
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Images courtesy of Kevin McLaughlin at Ultracast
This figure is the latest of four German subjects from Ultracast. Overall it is an exceptionally well-produced figure and, at $12.95, it provides very good value for money. Expect to see these in increasing numbers in future. I’ll be using mine with a Tamiya late production Tiger I.
Highly recommended!
Gary Barling, C#0014 IPMS Ottawa