Tiger I Comparison Build in 1/72 Scale Part I – Vespid and Border Kits

The Tiger I is one of the more popular AFV modeling subjects and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. In 2023 both Vespid and Border released early production Tiger I kits which take advantage of the latest advances in kit manufacturing technology. These kits represent not only the same version of the same tank, but the individual vehicles are the same right down to the optional parts and markings. So how do they compare?

Starting with the Vespid sprues we find the main hull components are finely detailed, flash free, and crisply molded, everything you would expect from a 2023 tool. There are several optional parts apparent with even a casual scan of the sprues, including two sets of external air cleaners and options for the gun mantlet.

Tracks are link and length with a separate run for the spares typically carried on the front armor plate. There are options for the drive and return sprockets. The modeler must add the torsion arms to the hull. Vespid provides a two-piece turned Aluminum gun barrel along with a 3-D printed muzzle brake, a small fret of PE screens completes the package.

Border’s kit is molded in a slightly darker shade of gray. Parts breakdown is similar to Vespid’s with the modeler provided with several optional parts. Border’s lower hull already has the torsion arms molded in place which will help with alignment of the running gear.

Tracks are link and length again with a few spare links provided.

Border provides three different gun mantlets as well as the option to mount the short-lived external air cleaners. Like the Vespid kit there is also a small PE fret, metal barrel, and 3-D printed muzzle brake included.

The kits are very similar in design and execution, many of the differences come down to choices and priorities of the design teams. Border has incorporated a few choices which will make assembly and alignment of the running gear easier. One of these is molding the torsion arms to the lower hull, another is the joining of the road wheel runs with small arcs as seen here. These are invisible on the assembled model, but can be easily removed either before or after assembly if desired.

Here are the lower hulls with the road wheels in place, Vespid on top, Border on bottom. Vespid has included some interior detail and several internal parts with their Tiger, but not a complete interior. There is also not an easy way to see what is there, and there are several locating aids for interior parts which are not included. Perhaps they intend a future release with the missing components such as the radios, transmission, and engine?

This is the underside of the Border kit, both are nicely detailed on the underside. The Border kit’s alignment aids helped minimize the effort required to get everything straight here, something which I usually struggle with.

Both hulls with the tracks on, I weighted the hull of the Border kit but left the Vespid kit without as I wanted to build up the interior using the provided parts. I did run into some fit issues with the Vespid kit in the engine compartment, the interior parts interfered with the fit of the upper hull and had to be filed down. A shame to remove the detail in one sense, but it would be hidden in any case so it will not be apparent.

The Vespid turret is provided with several parts to build up the gun. I painted up the interior with an Ivory white and dark gray and gave it a wash to bring out the detail. I intend to build both kits with open hatches and crew figures, but I doubt much of this will be visible with the crew in the hatches.

Both models built up and ready for primer, Vespid on the left, Border on the right. The Vespid kit required a swipe of Perfect Plastic Putty around the turret roof plate and some filing of the internal engine compartment components but otherwise there were no fit issues with either kit.

Part II here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2025/02/07/tiger-i-comparison-build-in-1-72-scale-part-ii-vespid-and-border-kits/

Picture of the Week 57

A Boeing F4B-3 fighter from VF-1B “High Hats” caught in the moment before making an arrested landing. The aircraft carrier is most likely USS Saratoga (CV-3) sometime in 1932-33.

The French Cruiser Submarine FS Surcouf (NN-3) Part II – Besson MB.411 Floatplane and Other Details

The French Cruiser Submarine FS Surcouf (NN-3) was designed with a hanger to carry a single floatplane for scouting purposes. The design chosen was the Besson MB.411, only two of which were produced. Here we see the first production aircraft disassembled on the deck of Surcouf.

Another view of the MB.411 from the same series of photos, this time taken from Surcouf’s conning tower, showing the wing markings. In the foreground is one her three Canon de 37 mm Modèle 1925 anti-aircraft guns.

A final perspective from pierside. There was no catapult, the aircraft was hoisted to and from the water using the ship’s crane. The MB.411 could be assembled and ready for flight in 20 minutes.

An MB.411 without fuselage codes taxiing. The MB.411 was a two-place design with both the pilot and the observer provided with an open cockpit and their own windscreen. Note the generator on the aft fuselage to produce electrical power.

The same aircraft being hoisted out of the water. The airframe was a mix of wood and metal with canvas.

The first production aircraft coded “HS-73” was delivered to Surcouf in June 1935 and was aboard for sea trials in the Caribbean in September. The photo shows the second production aircraft which replaced the first in July 1938 and was coded “7S4-8”.

The second aircraft was put ashore in the Summer of 1940 when Surcouf departed England for convoy escort duties in the Caribbean. The Royal Navy took over the MB.411 and assigned the name Petrel. Here is the second production aircraft in Royal Navy colors being operated by 765 NAS. She eventually became unserviceable due to lack of parts. The first aircraft was in France at the time of the surrender and was written off.

Advocates of The One True Scale often point out that “everything” has been kitted in one medium or another, at least as far as aircraft go. While not absolutely true, you cannot disprove the statement using the MB.411. Despite there being only two operational examples of the type, Fly released a new tool kit this year, and is the second manufacturer to produce a kit after a company named Dujin.

A pair of photographs showing Sucouf’s crew lounging in the sun wearing pith helmets. Note the outline in the deck casing where the crewmen are laying on the main deck. These deckplates are removable, revealing stowage for a 4.5-meter whaleboat intended for boarding actions. This allowed the submarine to evaluate the nationality and cargo of merchant ships which she encountered. Surcouf had space to carry up to 40 prisoners or survivors, a unique capability.

Another view looking forward. Note the lookout in the extendable crow’s nest, another unusual feature for a submarine. Her designers appear to have had few reservations when it came to incorporating novel capabilities.

Surcouf Part III here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2025/02/05/the-french-cruiser-submarine-fs-surcouf-nn-3-part-iii-portsmouth-navy-yard-overhaul/

Vespid Models Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer Ambush Scheme in 1/72 Scale

The model represents one of several Hetzers operating in the Czech Republic in the last weeks of the war. It was produced by BMM in the Autumn of 1944 and wears the Hinterhalt-Tarnung or ambush camouflage scheme, here applied in the factory as a series of dots.

Construction here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2025/01/17/vespid-models-jagdpanzer-38t-hetzer-build-in-1-72-scale/

British Naval Weapons of WWII Book Review

British Naval Weapons of World War Two, Volume I: Destroyer Weapons (The John Lambert Collection)

By Norman Friedman, Drawings by John Lambert

Hardcover in dustjacket, 240 pages, index

Published by Seaforth Publishing, January 2019

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1-5267-47677

ISBN-13: 978-1-5267-4767-9

Dimensions: 10.0 x 11.5 x 1.0 inches

John Lambert is well known to naval enthusiasts for his comprehensive and detailed technical drawings of Roya Navy weapons and warships. Working from primary sources, he produced more than 850 drawings over his lifetime. His work is extremely detailed and thoroughly annotated, a true testament to the draftsman’s art. One wonders how he found the time to produce such a body of work. If you are a collector of the Anatomy of the Ship series or titles in the Seaforth Publishing range you will have encountered his work. Mr. Lambert passed away in 2016 and Seaforth acquired publishing rights to his drawings, the result is this 3-volume series.

Norman Polmer needs no introduction to the warship fan, his technical design histories are unsurpassed and are considered the definitive works on their respective topics. Polmer has edited the British Naval Weapons of WWII series and has written a 53-page introduction to this installment. This is not a typical introduction by any measure, it is a technical history of the development of the ships’ armaments covered by the title, heavily illustrated with clear photographs which are well produced. Polmar’s introduction alone is worth the price of the book.

There are three volumes within this series. Volume I: Destroyer Weapons, Volume II: Escort and Minesweeper Weapons, and Volume III: Coastal Forces Weapons. The first two volumes have recently appeared on the overstock book market and can be had for a fraction of their original publisher’s prices. For those interested, the best place to pick them up is currently Hamilton Books here: https://www.hamiltonbook.com/

I can’t recommend these books highly enough, especially at the current prices. For those detailing large scale ship models or 3-D print files they are an invaluable reference. In addition, several of the weapons systems were fitted as secondary or tertiary armament on larger combatants or auxiliaries, so they have value even beyond their stated topics. Get them while you can!