![[Tiger 321]](321_1.gif)
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Details - Zimmerit This section will study the application of 1/6th scale zimmerit, the wood based paste the Germans used in WWII to reduce the possibility of magnetic mines from being attached to armored vehicles. Other web sites provide more historical information such as patterns and the formula the Germans used to make zimmerit. See Zimmerit Modellism Militare (French) and Panzerworld (English). Be sure to have the time set aside without interruptions to do this. Take the time to research the correct pattern of zimmerit and scale. I found clear photos of Tiger with zimmerit and counted rows and columns. With this information, I carefully scaled the zimmerit pattern to my Tiger. Practice first on a piece of sheet metal to get the proper feel. If you mess up, the putty can be scraped off and reused but time is limited. |
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Original zimmerit as found on the back hull of a Sturmpanzer IV Brummbar
(FMAR477) at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. The pattern looks
more like worn shinges. |
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Another picture from the same vehicle, this area is under the pannier
floor on the right side. |
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Some of the supplies needed to produce 1/6th scale zimmerit. In this picture can be seen the two part epoxy putty called Alves Apoxie Sculpt, wax paper, a metal roller, and two-1/16" thick brass rods. |
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Two equal amounts of putty are mixed together using your hands. It is non-toxic and while not cured, cleans up with water. Here, two equal amounts of putty are formed into balls about the diameter of a US Kennedy half dollar. A lttle goes a long way. Working time is about 2-3 hours depending on temperature. |
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After the epoxy putty has been mixed with your hands, it is spread out between two layers of wax paper roughly to the shape of the area to be applied. Two 1/16" inch brass rods are laid on either side and a roller used to evenly spread out the putty. It is important to get the putty to spread out to a consistent thickness. |
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Make sure the spread area will cover the area on the tank. A ruler is used measure the dimensions of the putty. If you do come up short, it's not a big deal to add more. |
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The top layer of wax paper is removed leaving a rectangular section of putty. The coin shows the overall size. |
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The putty is then carefully placed against the hull. Lightly press it with a flat object but only enough to make it stick. More pressing will come later. |
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Carefully pull back the wax paper "backing" to reveal the putty. Any air pockets can be removed by poking the putty with a sharp object and pressing the air out. |
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A light coating of water is sprayed on the putty to prevent the putty from sticking to the tool. Keep the sprayer handy during the zimmerit process because it will be used often. The putty surface must be kept wet or else the putty will stick to the tool. |
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A scrap piece of aluminum was cut and shaped to the width of each zimmerit column. While keeping everything wet, the tool was pressed into the putty. For reference, I had a few books opened to close-up period photographs of Tiger's with zimmerit applied. That way I could keep the proper zimmerit look fresh in my mind. |
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I kept repeating the process until I got to the end. It took at least six hours non-stop to do just the glacis plate. |
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Close-up of the zimmerit. Once the tool was pressed into the putty, a slight downward motion was made as it was pulled away. This created an effect seen on real zimmerit. |