6312, Sd.Kfz.182 Kingtiger Porsche Turret Premium Edition. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 440 styrene parts (including 20 clear), two bags of styrene individual link "Magic Track", one turned aluminum gun tube, two etched brass frets, two lengths of braided metal wire, one length of chain, two stamped etched bras parts, three formed metal wire parts, four metal parts, five decal marking schemes and eight pages of instructions in 25 steps.

DML has chosen to upgrade some of its previously-released kits with a host of new styrene and multimedia parts, re-labeling the items as "Premium Editions". Aside from being able to market older items with a new twist, the kits I have seen thus far have been basically very good to begin with. New styrene and multimedia parts are not mere window-dressing to help sell kits that have seen better days; their inclusion makes these kits much better than what they originally were, and at a very reasonable price.

The Tiger II with the so-called "Porsche" turret (the turret was in reality a Krupp product) was fielded in limited quantities (only 50 were built), but it is a very sleek-looking beast, mainly due to the afore-mentioned turret. DML's latest effort in the Premium Edition series builds on the basically very sound earlier release.

From the bottom, up, we have new individual-link Magic Tracks. These represent the common type with a large link and smaller connecting link; they fit remarkably well to each other using friction. They come loosely packaged in two bags and can essentially be decanted and assembled. However, each link does have a few knock-out pin marks that the "more particular" modeler will wish to eliminate. They are all subtle and stand proud of the surface; a quick swipe with a knife blade or gentle use of a motor-tool will get rid of them. When satisfied with their position on the model, it would be best to glue them in place. The road-wheels are all very well-rendered and include such subtle details as the strips attached to each pair of bolts around the rims. These items are seen in photographs, but are often not present on scale drawings, including those by the renowned Hilary Doyle (see references, below). The often-maligned drawings by Waldemar Trojca, do show this feature. The same thing applies to the hub details on the kit's drive sprockets: they match photos and Trojca's drawings, but not the Doyle drawings. Go figure!

The hull features excellent details and separate torsion bar swing arms, as well as an adjustable axle for the idler wheel. I strongly recommend that the modeler leave this last item loose so that the tracks can be adjusted for fit. With this type of link, it is especially important not to come out either too long or too short, because we are talking two-part links. The belly plate detail matches Trojca's drawings quite well. Other add-ons to the hull are final drive housings and beautifully-rendered inner housing parts complete with properly-contoured tow hook attachment points and weld detail.

The rear plate features the more-or-less standard Tiger II style of exhaust pipes and cast shrouds. The former are pre-bored and feature the internal rod that kept the opening from being crushed, while the latter are all-new and have excellent cast texture as well as separate lifting lugs. An excellent new multi-part vehicle jack is provided, which can be mounted on styrene or etched brass brackets. New "C"-shaped tow hooks are provided along with etched brass mounting parts. The jack block is all styrene and there is no provision for the tube-shaped tail-lamp. The area is finished off with one-piece extended mud flaps and new metal "U'-shaped tow hooks.

The superstructure is one single piece with separate engine deck access hatch lid, as well as separate driver's and radio operator's hatch lids. The engine deck hatch lid hinges lack bolt details, and the two crewmen's hatch lids are taken direct from the manufacturer's Jagdtiger kit. Because of that, they have two sets of grab-handles each, when only one is needed. The instructions show where to put the ones that are used, but they don't tell the modeler to fill the extra holes; consider yourself warned! There is also a nice separate mounting plate for the driver's periscope housing; it and the radio operator's opening get new clear styrene periscope heads. Other new parts include a fully detailed radio operator's MG34 and mount, complete with cast "Kugelblend" (ball mount) and internal baffles. New metal "U'-shaped tow hooks are also provided.

Aside from a bunch of detail parts for the engine deck and various dome vents, there are a host of other items seen on the superstructure roof and side plates. The peculiar armored ring that protected the turret race is a separate part; the modeler needs to open up the small locater holes from inside the superstructure part. New etched brass screens are given for the engine deck grills as is the enlarged stamped/etched brass screen seen over the forward-most grill opening; these are mounted to a styrene frames. There are two sets of tools, one of which is new. The new set has no clamps molded on, since these are provided as etched brass parts. The modeler can use whichever set he is comfortable with. Likewise the two tow cables and the track changing cable are replaced by wound steel wire, styrene end loops and etched brass mounts. Or the modeler can avail himself of the simpler styrene offerings from the original kit's parts. The fenders are nicely done and include separate front ends with separate (and tiny!) styrene connecting strips. There is a small addendum to the instructions telling the modeler to remove the second skirt mounting strip from the bow, on the superstructure side. This is because there should only be one strip in that position.

The turret is very well done and comes from a multi-part, or "slide mold". This is necessary due to its complex shape and the nature of some of the details. At the front are openings for the co-axial MG34 as well as binocular TZF9b/1 sight. The latter can have the hole closer to the gun mantlet plugged to represent the more widely seen TZF9d monocular sight. The rest of the turret features weld beads and interlocking plate details. All detail parts are separate and include new parts for the loader's hatch lid, two types of fan vent covers and shell ejector port hatch lid. A new "Nahverteidigungswaffe" (close defense weapon) with internal details and closed or open port is provided. The rear escape hatch is very completely detailed inside and out. It features a new removable "MP Stopfen" (pistol port plug) that can be shown opened and hanging on its retaining chain. Etched brass parts are also given for the plate seen over the inner mechanism. The star of the show here is the new commander's cupola. There are actually two of them; one has rain channels cut into it, the other does not. Each uses slide molds to correctly render the opened periscope covers and also includes a new hatch lid, with internal details, as well as clear periscope heads. There is an extra head, designated as not for use in the instructions. The modeler can use it in place of the separate solid styrene head for the loader's periscope mount. There is also a "Fliegerbeschusgerat" (anti-aircraft mount for an MG34) for the cupola ring; however no MG34 is provided for it. While one MP Stopfen is molded on to the starboard side of the turret, the one on the port side comes attached to a separate plate. When attached, the seam needs to be smoothed away. The modeler might not have to bother, since these tanks had Zimmerit, which will cover the seam nicely. There are extra hooks given to hang spare tracks on the turret sides, which was a late modification seen on some of these Tiger IIs, especially the featured "Anneliese". There are also three tiny and separate Pilze mounts for the turret roof-mounted 2-ton Kran. These are shown in place in the instructions, but their positions are to be determined by very fine marks on the roof plate. Make sure to find them as they are a bit difficult to see.

The main gun has some internal breech detail. There are two styrene 8.8cm L/71 gun tubes; one is the early monoblock type, while the other is the later sectional type. The monoblock type is repeated as a turned aluminum part with a new slide-molded muzzle brake; this also features internal locking collar detail. The cast "Topfblende" (pot mantlet) for the main gun has subtle details molded onto it. These represent machining or casting marks; leave them on.

Overall, the kit matches the drawings in the cited references very, very well. The kit is typical for an April 1944 production model, but as always, no two of these were alike. The modeler should closely scrutinize references prior to committing to the particular vehicle he wishes to construct.

The instructions are presented in the less-popular photographic style, with annotations in the form of small windows with line drawings. I really have no problem with them and neither should the average modeler. I guess they are different enough from what we have had for decades to put some off. Don't let it bother you. Detail and molding is excellent, while parts fit overall is also excellent. Where it counts there are no visible knock-out pin marks, except for one surface of the separate tow points that cover the final drive housings, parts D1 and D2. They will be easy to eliminate and no detail will be compromised during the process.

The decals are printed by Cartograf and are crisp, thin, and have excellent color saturation. All multi-color designs are in perfect register. Markings and color scheme information is provided for five schwere Panzer:

" "Anneleise, black 314", 3.Kp. s.Pz.Abt.503, Hungary 1945.
" "White 13", s.Pz.Kp.(Fkl)316, France 1944.
" S.Pz.Abt,506, Arnhem 1944,
" "Red/white 332", unidentified unit, 1944.
" "Black/white 113", 1.Kp. s.Pz.Abt.503, Normandy 1944.

All of the schemes are accurate according to cited references. Photos of other Tiger IIs from s.Pz.Kp.(Fkl)316 show a Balkenkreuz national insignia in a position on the superstructure side plate, partially covered by the first fender/side skirt section. The modeler may wish to add this, although it is not shown in the instructions. In addition, all of these Tiger IIs had Zimmerit, whose placement is shown in the color guide.

So, there we have it. Another fine kit has received an excellent package of upgrades, all for a very reasonable price. This "out-of-the-box" build will certainly redefine the term as it is used today!

Highly recommended.

- Frank De Sisto