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.
WHENEVER ANY FORM OF GOVERNMENT BECOMES DESTRUCTIVE OF THESE ENDS (LIFE,LIBERTY,AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS) IT IS THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO ALTER OR ABOLISH IT, AND TO INSTITUTE A NEW GOVERNMENT― Thomas Jefferson
Inch High Guy 