Tamiya 35167 - 1:35 King Tiger - Grille Set

Tamiya photo-etched grille set for King Tiger kits (35164 and 35169) in 1:35 scale

Tamiya 35167 is a photo-etched sheet designed for the Tamiya King Tiger heavy tank kits in 1:35 scale — both the Henschel turret version (35164) and the Porsche turret version (35169). The set focuses on the parts that always come out too thick in injection moulding: engine air intake grilles, meshes and sights.

Replacing the moulded plastic grilles with photo-etched ones transforms the look of the whole engine deck: instead of a solid surface you see an open mesh with space behind it. This is an upgrade accessory — the base kit is not included and is purchased separately.

What is in the box:

• Photo-etched sheet with engine air intake grilles, meshes and sights
• Illustrated instructions

Specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: 35167
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Intended for: Tamiya King Tiger — 35164 (Henschel turret) and 35169 (Porsche turret)
• Type: photo-etched parts
• Material: thin metal sheet
• Released: 1993
• Base kit sold separately, not included

Photo-etched parts – a thin metal sheet instead of moulded plastic

Photo-etched parts are produced by etching a pattern into a thin metal sheet. Meshes, grilles and covers therefore have a thickness close to true scale, something injection moulding cannot deliver, since minimum wall thickness and mould requirements force the detail to be much heavier. An open etched mesh lets light through and shows the depth below the engine deck.

A photo-etch bending tool, or simply a metal ruler and fine tweezers, helps when folding the parts. They are cut from the sheet with a modelling knife on a hard surface and attached with cyanoacrylate glue. Painting after fitting works well, with the surface degreased first; a primer intended for metal is a good choice.

About the vehicle – Pz.Kpfw. VI Ausf. B Tiger II (King Tiger):

The Tiger II, also known as the Königstiger, was the heaviest German tank to enter series production during the Second World War. It combined thick, well-sloped armour with the 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 gun, which delivered accurate fire at long range. The first vehicles reached front-line units in 1944.

A Maybach HL 230 engine of around 700 hp had to move a vehicle weighing almost 70 tonnes, so cooling and ventilation of the engine compartment were critical. The extensive air intakes and outlets on the engine deck were protected by metal grilles — one of the most characteristic features of the rear of the tank and the most rewarding place to use photo-etched parts.

Fewer than 500 examples were completed before the end of the war. They fought in Normandy, on the Eastern Front and in the Ardennes, and today the King Tiger is one of the most frequently modelled tanks of the conflict.

Original vehicle specifications (Tiger II / King Tiger):

• Combat weight: approx. 69.8 t
• Length with gun: approx. 10.3 m
• Width: approx. 3.76 m
• Height: approx. 3.09 m
• Crew: 5
• Main armament: 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 gun
• Secondary armament: two 7.92 mm MG 34 machine guns
• Engine: Maybach HL 230 P30, approx. 700 hp
• Top speed: approx. 38 km/h on road
• Range: approx. 170 km on road
• Armour: up to 150 mm on the hull front, up to 180 mm on the Henschel turret front
• Production: approx. 490 vehicles (1944–1945)

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya is a Japanese manufacturer of models and modelling accessories based in Shizuoka, active since 1946 and producing plastic kits since the early 1960s. The 1:35 Military Miniature Series is one of the pillars of its catalogue. Alongside the kits themselves, Tamiya offers paints, cements, tools and upgrade accessories such as photo-etched parts, turned brass projectiles and individual track links. These accessories are designed around specific kits from the company catalogue, so the fit is predictable and the instructions are clear. Careful parts fit and well-prepared documentation remain the hallmarks of the brand.