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For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
Review
Meng: King Tiger Henschel Turret
barkingdigger
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
ARMORAMA
#013
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: June 20, 2008
KitMaker: 3,981 posts
Armorama: 3,403 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 11, 2017 - 09:00 PM UTC


Talal Mashtoub takes a look at Meng''s entry in the recent "King Tiger Wars".

Read the Review

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
PanzerKarl
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England - North West, United Kingdom
Joined: April 20, 2004
KitMaker: 2,439 posts
Armorama: 1,980 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 11, 2017 - 10:51 PM UTC
Dislikes:
Color of the plastic,hard to sand down and and looks awful.
Suspension swing arms are weak and as you already know makes the road wheels out of line.
Figures just need to be thrown in the bin.
Not enough decal options.
Link and length tracks.

Likes:
Easy to build.
Metal barrel.
Rolled steel texture.
Good fit to most parts.

Having built this kit and half way through the Takom kit I still think Dragon lead the way on Tigers.
bilbobee
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Minnesota, United States
Joined: February 28, 2015
KitMaker: 414 posts
Armorama: 406 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 11, 2017 - 10:58 PM UTC
Yes, I'am some people not liking the link and length tracks, plus no interior, I think you rated this kit to high! Disappointment with Meng Brands lack of continuity with their kits. I still have alot of fun with majority of meng kits. I noticed that Takom last two kits has link and length tracks as well.
metooshelah
#011
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Jerusalem, Israel
Joined: February 06, 2009
KitMaker: 1,507 posts
Armorama: 1,304 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 11, 2017 - 11:22 PM UTC
Thank you for the review.
I think I have become spoiled by all the interior kits, so I'll give this a miss and wait for them to produce one with interior
Cuny12
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Australia
Joined: April 04, 2010
KitMaker: 378 posts
Armorama: 348 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 12, 2017 - 07:20 AM UTC
I don't think this kit is bad at all, there's some minor issues here and there ie suspension toe in but if you remove part C3/4 and only use a portion for the idler it's no big deal and an easy fix.

Compared to dragon it's better and the same in some respects the cast texture is a bonus the MG mount better detailed and you get the cable in the kit for the headlight.

I believe there is nice detail on both Meng and dragon, on the track issue no big deal really as the workable set is offered separately which I would rather as I use fruils.

From a modellers perspective I think it's good.

it suits the beginner and passing builder, isn't that what we want not a heap of crap but a kit that's a solid base to either just build or go to town with Aftermarket to suit your taste.

But the best part is there now 4 brands offering the same kit with minor differences that everyone can build and for $52.00 compared to close to the 100 mark for the rest I feel there's no need to complain to much.

Just my thoughts cheers Ben.
Chuck4
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United States
Joined: November 13, 2013
KitMaker: 403 posts
Armorama: 401 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 12, 2017 - 07:44 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Dislikes:
Color of the plastic,hard to sand down and and looks awful.
Suspension swing arms are weak and as you already know makes the road wheels out of line.
Figures just need to be thrown in the bin.
Not enough decal options.
Link and length tracks.

Likes:
Easy to build.
Metal barrel.
Rolled steel texture.
Good fit to most parts.

Having built this kit and half way through the Takom kit I still think Dragon lead the way on Tigers.



In what way is dragon better?
WAYNEO
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Nelson, New Zealand
Joined: January 24, 2016
KitMaker: 42 posts
Armorama: 40 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 12, 2017 - 09:43 AM UTC
Whats wrong with link and length track ?easier to put together than indy ones and way better than that DS crap or rubberband ones. But each to his own .I personally like link and length as its better than the above and its saves buying aftermarket ones at a greater cost.
Chuck4
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United States
Joined: November 13, 2013
KitMaker: 403 posts
Armorama: 401 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 12, 2017 - 11:14 AM UTC
Well, on the tiger 2, because of the slack track design and the fact that the drive sprocket is at the front, the upper track run is actually under tension and taught when the vehicle is moving forwards, where as the lower section between the drive sprocket and the first road wheel is slack.

But when the vehicle is stopped, or moving backwards, the upper track run is slack, the the lower run between the drive sprocket and the first road wheel is taught.

With length and link, you are pretty much stuck with making the tiger as if it were stopped. You can't change the configuration of the tracks to create a diagram a showing the tank moving.

Also, on a brand new tiger 2 with well adjusted track tension, the upper track run doesn't just rest flaccidly on the road wheels over most of the its length even when the tank is stopped. It actually hangs between the drive sprocket and the idler wheel like a catenary cable, only touching the road wheels in the middle.

With link and length, you are struck depicting a vehicle with somewhat loose track tension.
Panzerdan412
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New York, United States
Joined: April 10, 2012
KitMaker: 48 posts
Armorama: 46 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 12, 2017 - 11:50 PM UTC
Im currently finishing Meng's King Tiger with the workable add-on pack .It does remove a lot of the inward slant to the wheels and lower the way the hull sits. But the sanding issues are annoying as are some of the sprue attachment points designed to make you hate people.
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