Metal Earth Tiger I Tank 3D Metal Model Kit Fascinations

I’m only starting to get into metal models, this will be my 5th kit. It’s is very well made, and I like the etched graphics on it as opposed to being plain metal.The tracks/wheels are very tricky- as multiple parts need to be managed at the same time. Set it down and walk away for a while, then come back to it and it goes by quickly. The finished model is one of my favorite additions to my desk, and Metal Earth continues to earn my business as a repeat customer with how well the instructions and kits themselves are made.

The end result was fantastic! The detail is amazing! It took about 8 hours to complete. It is essential to have the right tools (small needle nose pliers, tweezers, and I highly recommend a strong magnet for when/if you drop a small piece on a carpeted floor...makes life much easier to be able to grab it with the magnet). They are misleading only in the fact that these puzzles look easy and say "just put the pieces together and bend the tabs." It's a bit more complicated than that and in order to put them together in a way that will make them look good...it requires a lot of patience. At times the instructions aren't super clear and I have spent considerable time taking it apart some sections to make sure things align.Also...there are times when it instructs you to twist the tab vs. folding it. I recommend folding the tabs first. It is easier to take apart if you need to when the tab is folded. Once you are 100% sure the piece is set, then twist it.Don't be fooled by the 14+ age range. These are small metal models with sharp edges and require a lot of patience.My fiancé bought me a desk light with a magnifying glass, light, and small clamps to help hold pieces when I need more than 2 hands. It has helped immensely.I also recommend a metal file for the pieces that don't break off smoothly.With all of that said....I am completely addicted! I am working on my 10th one and I am constantly on the look-out for more. My Amazon wish-list is full of them.One last thing---it is inevitable that pieces are going to break off at times (I'm lucky it has only happened twice). Bending metal can lead to breakage if doing it repeatedly. If I find I need to bend a piece more than once...I give it a minute or two between bends to let the metal cool and make it less likely to break. Because of the breakage, it may be best to buy 2 of the same (in case you break/lose a piece) AND if you are a perfectionist the second one may turn out better because you have practiced. I will be buying duplicates of my favorites.These also make great gifts when they are completed.Anyway---I hope this info helps someone who is starting out.If anyone else has any other tips---I would love to hear them!Good luck and take your time!

I'm a modeler of scale wood ship models. I'm used to detailed work. This model challenged me in that department. Here are my "Pro" and "Con" comments -PRO1. Great kit - it's a photoetched kit and as such, is made of thin metal that is cut by laser. The parts are exact and fit well.2. Results are amazing - fantastic looking with the etched camouflage finish.3. Cost is ridiculously low. I am starting to work on photoetched pieces for two of my wood ship models. The photoetch pieces that came with the models were much more expensive than these kits.4. If you are wanting to practice on photoetch before you do a model (plastic / resin / wood) - buy one of these kits, you'll practice, you'll figure it out and you'll become proficient!5. Weekend kit - 8 to 10 hours to complete this kit. Spread out over a couple of days and you'll be tasked, relaxed, and rewarded. If you 'press on' and try and finish in a day or a single sitting, you'll feel frustration beginning to mount as you near completion - the wheel / axle assemblies are challenging to say the least.CONS1. Instructions - "follow the numbers" with no explanation. It'll take you a moment to figure it out and then you'll be on your way to completion.2. Tools required - instructions say 'Needle nose pliers'. Perhaps a more skilled modeler than me could do it with a pair of pliers. Recommend an X-Acto knife with some #10 blades to cut the pieces out on a piece of glass or hard wood. Anything else will almost guarantee bent parts. You'll also need something to 'roll' a lot of the pieces on to bend them without crimping the material. I used small file handles, x-acto knife handles etc. to get the required diameters to be smooth enough to press the parts into the small slots.3. Size - Hahahahaha - this is a SMALL kit!! I'm an old guy that models most of my spare time. I don't usually need a magnifying glass unless doing my 'detail' work. This entire model is 'detail' work. I spent the entire time cutting parts out, forming them, mounting them using a lighted magnifying light. If you're eyeballs aren't 20/20 - best get some magnifying glasses / unit with additional light...you're going to need it.4. Instructions (second time!) - the axle / wheel / track section of the instructions are ridiculously inadequate. I suppose if you know how it's supposed to go together, you can do it, but the instructions are non-verbal just showing which part fits into another part - but if you get the sequence of assembly wrong - you're going to have issues. I'm at that point right now - not sure if I'm going in the wrong direction or not, but will figure it out.5. Photo-Etch materials are precise - but you have almost ZERO opportunity to get a 'do over' - pieces that are bent incorrectly may break if you try to bend them in another direction, or if you try to 'undo' one of the assembly tabs..... check, double-check, trial fit, look ahead in your 'minds eye' before you do anything 'final' because you may not get a second chance. - If the instructions were better, it would make a WORLD of difference.SUMMARY - for a photo-etch kit that offers superlative results, this kit is AWESOME and at a ridiculously low price!! However, due to the stated requirements of only needing a pair of needle nose pliers to assemble, and the kit being appropriate for ages 14 and above, I find it to be a disappointment waiting to happen. I would recommend that anyone with any detailed assembly experience could do this kit. You will need more tools than what the kit states, and some modeling experience, or detailed assembly instruction experience. This is NOT a 'gift' idea for a kid that likes tanks. It's a gift idea for a modeler with some experience and some tools and patience. I'll echo the other comments about the safety issue of cutting yourself with the parts / frame pieces - they're razor sharp - be careful. It's challenging and if you're successful, you'll have a fine piece to display. At the low cost - I'd order two of the same kit and use the first to practice and learn from and the second to build and display. They're THAT inexpensive.......

The quality of the metal pieces are very good and while the pieces where a bit hard to put, you needed patience and taking your time to connect it to the holes. While the tracks and turret don't move, it is still an amazing piece. You have to take your time in building and putting the pieces together so you don't mess up. Overall, I loved the whole thing.