MENG 72-010 1/72 King Tiger Tank Model Kit Unboxing Review

Summary Advantages: easy to split, quick and happy to assemble, good combination, refreshing style.

Disadvantage: A slight mold opening error, see the end of the article, it's not too important.

Today we are reviewing MENG Models' 1/72 scale kit No. 72-010 – the German Heavy Sd.Kfz. 182 King Tiger Tank Model Kit (Porsche turret). 

Let's take a look at the overall performance of this kit. On the back of the box, you'll find the painting and decal guide, featuring the yellow‑green camouflage scheme of the German Army's 506th Heavy Panzer Battalion at Arnhem in 1944.

Parts overview – as always, simple and straightforward. No photo-etched parts are included; just a sheet of Iron Cross decals.

Sprue A consists mainly of the running gear components.

The bolt details on the road wheels are quite sharp, and you can even see the shallow anti‑loosening lock washers. The drive sprocket is the 9‑tooth type.

Sprue B consists mainly of the link‑and‑length tracks, along with the inner road wheels moulded on the same sprue.

The link‑and‑length tracks are sharply moulded, with visible track pin details. The parts breakdown is also quite simple – there are no individual track links, and the tracks come with pre‑moulded sag for a realistic look.

Sprue C consists mainly of the lower hull. The hull is moulded in separate pieces, with wide bonding surfaces to ensure a strong, secure joint.

The rear hull plate is also a separate part. Tools such as the wooden blocks and towing hooks are moulded directly onto the plate – a very convenient parts breakdown.

The bow‑mounted machine gun is moulded as a separate barrel, though the muzzle opening is not hollowed out. The exhaust outlet features the "‑" shaped grille detail.

Sprue D contains the upper hull parts.

The upper hull surface has a subtle rolled‑steel texture – not particularly pronounced, but better than nothing. The parts breakdown is also distinctive: the glue joints align perfectly with the weld seam lines. On‑board tools, tow cables, and crew hatches are all moulded directly onto the hull.

Sprue D also provides a one‑piece, long‑barrelled 88mm main gun.

The muzzle brake features moulded‑in retaining bolts.

A complete MG34 roof‑mounted machine gun with its mount is also included.

Sprue E contains the turret parts.

The turret surface also features a subtle rolled‑steel texture.

Sprue E also includes a separate 105mm long‑barrel main gun for the "late‑war" King Tiger variant.

The commander's and loader's hatches are separate parts and can be posed open, though the hatch handles are somewhat simplistically moulded – they could be replaced with aftermarket parts if desired. The anti‑riot mesh at the rear of the turret is also well represented and quite sharp. With a simple wash and dry‑brush, it will achieve a convincing three‑dimensional look without requiring aftermarket replacements.

Completed image of "King Tiger" Tank Model Kit (without coloring):

 

Summary Review

MENG has shipped this kit surprisingly quickly. In terms of parts breakdown, this King Tiger continues the hallmark of MENG's 1/72 scale series – simple parts, quick assembly, and a clean, photo‑etch‑free style. In particular, the notoriously complex running gear of the "Henschel" Tiger has been simplified nicely in this kit: the multi‑piece road wheels and link‑and‑length tracks are straightforward to assemble, making the build easy.

Detail‑wise, the upper hull, turret, and lower hull all feature a subtle rolled‑steel texture, and some armour plates even have faint cutting marks. Most of the on‑board tools are moulded directly onto the hull. A minor letdown is that the handles on the hatches and engine deck are moulded as simple solid beads – but this leaves room for aftermarket upgrades. The front headlight has moulded‑in wiring, and the radiator grilles are represented by moulded detail, which is acceptable. The turret maintenance hooks are also moulded as solid lumps – it's advisable to replace them with copper wire for a better look.

In terms of fit, thanks to the simple parts breakdown, the kit can be completed in roughly 3–4 hours. I encountered no major fit issues – the link‑and‑length tracks go together seamlessly and hold firmly after gluing, though the sag effect looks a bit stiff. After assembling the hull, the seam along the front armour plate needs some cleanup. Similarly, the turret main gun moves smoothly with just the right amount of friction.

Now, the moulding errors: first, the engine deck on the rear hull lacks engraved panel lines. Second, the towing hooks on the left side of the hull are missing the retaining latch detail. These two mistakes will be spotted by eagle‑eyed modellers right away. We'll have to wait and see how MENG addresses these issues in future production runs.

In the next issue, let us take a look at the Unboxing Review of  FOREART R5901 1/35 IDF M113 Armored Car Model Kit 

 

The above article is translated from http://moxingfans.com/test/MENG/2026/0210/13687.html