MFH Ultimate Tiger I Ausf E kit

MFH stands for Model Factory Hiro. A Japanese company that primarily create multimedia kit for cars. The Tiger I Ausf. E is their 2nd entry into the Military line called Ultimate Kit. The first is the Japanese battleship Yamato in 1/700 scale. The Tiger will be in 1/35 scale.

Looking at the Yamato Ultimate Kit page, this is really a limited edition kit. With 300 made in the first run and 50 on the 2nd run. The Tiger kit is currently in pre-order phase.

This kit is a multimedia kit, meaning it consists not only of plastic sprues, but also metal parts and magnets to achieve realistic impression. Kit details from the Tiger Ultimate Kit page lists:

• This kit is based on late production type in 1944, with the new type cupola and steel-made wheels. 

• This multi-material kit consists of parts that made of White Metal, Resin, Aluminium alloys, Photo etch sheets, Screen Printing Decal sheet, Magnets, and more. 

• This kit includes full detailed interior parts of Maybach HL230 Engine, the mission and radiator, fuel tank, internal structures of the turret and ammo.The upper part of the turret and the body is attached by magnet and can be attached and detached easily to show the interior parts. 

• The track can be assembled easily and making the model more realistic and to let you feel the weight. Also, it is totally movable. (For more information about the tracks please refer to this page) 

• The suspension is attached by magnets in order to let it move as the real tank does. 

• The muzzle brake is made of UV photopolymer using laser lithography, to reproduce the internal details and the rifling. The barrel is made of Aluminium alloy and the recoil action can be reproduced with the spring installed. 

• The taper-shape antenna is using fibre and bendable. (For more information about the antenna please refer to this page) 

• The Zimmerit Coating is using the new-developed 3D Decal sheet that included in the kit. The uneven surface can be easily done by using this sheet.

There is also a video on the MFH Tiger page showing the Tiger "in action". Also take note that it is still work in progress. And yes, it is very expensive at US$500 per piece, definitely not for everyone.

Currently there are a number of minor issues with some minor external detail inaccuracies but MHF have said they’re addressing these so please let’s all reserve judgement until the finished kit is available shall we? We all know Tiger I fans are a pretty difficult enough lot to please at the best of times so let’s at least give this one some positive feedback to make sure it is what it promises to be.

Source: Military Models

MFH make some of  the best models of performance race cars available so the quality I expect to be excellent. But expect a serious dent in your wallet, though personally if it offers up as good a kit as it sounds to be then I for one wouldn’t baulk at the price, and I suspect there will be plenty of others out there willing to pay the price too.

Source: WWII Modeller 

For a preview, I suggest you check The Modelling News coverage  More news from Model Factory Hero & their "Ultimate" Tiger which are quite comprehensive and also covers the painting scheme of the units that are provided with the kit.

Should you be interested in preorder, you can visit HLJ 1/35 Sd.Kfz.181 Tiger I Ultimate Kit by Model Factory Hiro , a direct importer with great reputation online.

Thanks to AFV News for pointing out this great kit.