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Zimmerit or not Zimmerit?

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Rubicon Models:
Some Background History:

Zimmerit was applied to some tanks produced from December 1943 to 9 September 1944.  Application of Zimmerit was usually done at the factory.  In general, vehicles already in service were not coated with Zimmerit.  Zimmerit was discontinued from factory application on 9 September 1944 and from field application on 7 October 1944.  This was due to concerns that projectile impacts could ignite it.  These proved false, but the order was never rescinded.  Applying and drying the paste added days to the production of each vehicle, which was unacceptable as there was a shortage of tanks.  Only early models of Tiger II have Zimmerit applied; not much info on other tank models.

Question: Do you want to see some German tanks with Zimmerit?

Issues: There are at least over 10 different patterns for different tanks... which one to choose?

Comment please!
;)

Tracks:

--- Quote from: Rubicon Models on August 30, 2018, 12:24:58 pm ---Question: Do you want to see some German tanks with Zimmerit?

--- End quote ---

No.
Please no.


--- Quote from: Rubicon Models on August 30, 2018, 12:24:58 pm ---Issues: There are at least over 10 different patterns for different tanks... which one to choose?

--- End quote ---

Not an issue if you go with No Zimmerit.

There are several reasons why encourage No Zimmerit, but one of the main reasons is that it is so much easier to add the Zimmerit to a model than to remove Zimmerit that has already molded into a model. Overall, by not having Zimmerit molded into the plastic parts, the modeler/gamer has been given a better choice. That is, to include Zimmerit or not. If the Zimmerit is already molded into the plastic parts, the modeler/gamer has no choice but accept it. Even if it was done incorrectly or does not have the pattern they want.

It's simple enough to add Zimmerit to a model, but impossible to remove Zimmerit from a model if its already molded into the plastic. By not having the Zimmerit already molded into the plastic parts, you give the modeler/gamer even more choices! Not only does this allow the modeler/gamer decide if they want Zimmerit or not - using whatever method they prefer - but it solves your issue of "There are at least over 10 different patterns for different tanks... which one to choose?" because if the modeler/gamer chooses to add Zimmerit, they can choose which pattern to use on their model.

In short, please no Zimmerit.

Tracks:
I forgot to mention that most model companies that mold Zimmerit onto the plastic parts do not do it correctly. They often making the Zimmerit look to perfect and strangely uniform. However, Zimmerit was applied by hand onto the surfaces, and as a result there was a lot of imperfections and small variations (regardless of pattern) in the overall texture. Also, no two of the same vehicle would look exactly alike when it comes to applying Zimmerit. So, leaving it to the modeler/gamer to add the Zimmerit using whatever method they prefer solves this issue as well.

Some gamers (usually not modelers) might not like the idea of adding Zimmerit, but trust me, it's simple enough to add your own Zimmerit to a model and the result is most rewarding. Yes, it does add more time to the completion of a model, but that is nothing compared to the overwhelming choices you get if the model kit doesn't have pre-molded Zimmerit.

tyroflyer:
Would someone like to make the case for molded Zimmerit? The argument it's easier to add than remove seems pretty strong, unless you plan to provide both versions in the kit, which isn't likely.

Ballardian:

 Broadly I agree that molded on Zimmerit is seldom satisfactory - for reasons already stated by Tracks, so would generally prefer it not to be added.
 This can however penalise those without the skill or experience of adding it themselves - that year of application covers a lot of tanks, Jadgpanzers etc. Once before when this forum was discussing the merits of producing a Tiger II this came up & my solution would be the same - produce a Zim  transfer set, which should be quite achievable at this scale.
While I certainly agree that the real reason for Zim's discontinuation was that it was essentially a waste of time (magnetically attached anti-tank charges were uncommon amongst the allies), the stories of it catching fire may actually have some basis in fact. A recent test of Zim recipes, in which benzine was a significant constituent showed that if the Zim were not given sufficient drying time (the several days mentioned) before painting & sending to theater, the result was indeed flammable, though the resultant fire would have been unlikely  to jeopardise the vehicle

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