John's Late Tiger 1

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 11:13 pm

I did'nt think zimmerit could spark such a heated debate but I am new to big tanks.

Mike, what are you using for zimmerit? Milliput?

I think I will be delayed getting back to my Tiger build by another week as my girlfriend decided to splat herself while skiing. Broken knee and bruises followed by hellicopter rescue. Great flying. Got rescue on video.

Mike Kasputis · Post by **Mike Kasputis** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 12:47 am

Kent you are absolutely correct, forgot that John was building a late Tiger

John, yes I used milliput for my zimmerit, very time consuming.
I like your armored exhaust covers, did you add the half round indents on the mounting flange or did they come that way. I had to add them to mine.

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:46 am

Hi Mike,
I will use milliput also. Looks good on yours. Nice finish. Very nice Tiger. Will learn a lot from your build post. If you mean the small half holes, yes I added them. Want to add the lifting points also and lettering.

Phil Woollard · Post by **Phil Woollard** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 8:22 am

Guys I am sure what ever you decide to do will look just great, don't feel to intimidated by the the purists enjoy the build it's your interpretation of a particular vehicle, I have great admiration for the guys who can't sleep over a bolt in the wrong place their MODELS look fantastic, build it run it and enjoy it!

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 10:13 am

Good advice Phil. Unfortunatly I am one of those who likes things right. Just do not have the skills to keep up with some of these guys. This build post is getting very long and I hav'nt really started yet. I think we should start seperate posts with specific topics such as welds,zimmerit, suspension where specific information and modifications to the Tiger can be held. The post on lowering the deck is a good example.

John

Tim Bowman · Post by **Tim Bowman** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 5:09 pm

John Fitzsimons wrote:This build post is getting very long and I hav'nt really started yet. I think we should start seperate posts with specific topics such as welds,zimmerit, suspension where specific information and modifications to the Tiger can be held. The post on lowering the deck is a good example.

John

Hi John

That's what these build threads(stories) are all about.

IMHO and what makes each one different and interesting for me. Everyone has their own way of doing things, their own 'line in the sand' for historical and part accuracy, their different talents and abilities with casting metal or fabricating from a pile of brass and that's what makes this hobby so great. It's also what makes each and every model built unique to its owner.

Don't worry about your thread getting long even before much building. It's already provided a nice, interesting discussion and information for the rest of us.

As Phil already stated, build it like you want it, take your time and most of all, have fun with it.

just my two cents worth
Kind regards
Tim

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:14 pm

Already wondering when the next King Tiger release will be. I have a question about the bolt holes milled into the top of the drivers armour plate and the bolt holes on the turret roof. What diameter are the holes and is there a way to locate the position for the holes on the turret roof. Looking forwarded to getting back to the Tiger next week.

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 3:12 am

After a break of a month due to hollidays interfering with my tiger I am back.
I have decided to do a trial assembly of the hull to see how everything fits.

Went together well with very little filing so far. Just a little on the rear plate and folds on the pannier floor. Only fonger tightened. I will Tighten up everything soon to see if there are any major gaps but looks good so far.

Amazed how bug this thing is compared to my 1/16 tiger.

Gun elevation was a bit stiff and was grinding against the bottom of the front plate. After some work with the dremmel this is now moving freely.

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 12:31 pm

Off now to my office to see what goddies arrived while I was away.

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Sun Feb 06, 2011 12:27 pm

Tightened upo all the fastners and found some small gaps still remaining. Mainly due to pannier floor. Also a little excess still remaining on the rear panel. Took everything apart for a little more filing. Overall do not see any problem with hull parts. Well done Mark.

Received some items frome Steve Winstone. Far beyond my expectations. Really pleased with them. So much so that rather than put the in a press waiting till they are needed I have put them in a display cabinet. Thanks Steve. I will post some photos of these parts.

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:48 pm

Doing some work on hatches. I'm using the Armorpax loaders hatch. I did some modifications to the latch mechanisms. Now opens and closes properly.

I have a question for the experts. I know there is some modification required to fit the hatch. Should the hatch be as in picture or should the outer edge be flush with the turret roof?

I am thinking about making some periscopes for the cupola. Are the cupola scopes smaller or same size as the driver radio operator periscopes and is the loader's periscope also same size or larger?

yves mouton · Post by **yves mouton** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 7:02 pm

Hi John,

Dont you have a loader hatch ring to fit in the hatch?
In my kit was a loader hatch ring or dont you use the ring?
regards Yves

Tim Bowman · Post by **Tim Bowman** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 7:38 pm

Hi John

Great looking loader's hatch! On late Tigers, the hatch should sit flush with the turret deck. The kit's recess in the deck needs to be opened up for both the hatch and hinges. Similar to your close in defense weapon in the photo.

Loader's scope is the same as radio/driver but I think the cupola's are smaller. Will check when I have a chance today.

Love that hatch!

Best regards
Tim

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:15 pm

Hi Yves, You have the mid Tiger. Late kit is different. The standard Hatch with my kit was a piece of machined aluminium with no detail. I will have some extra work to do. I changed my Driver and radio operator hatches also as the kit hatches were without any detail.

Tim, thanks for that information. I was not sure bus assumed it might be the case. I am also wondering if the rears of the periscope covers should be covered. I saw some king tigers modified in this way at least on the cupola.

I have taken the hull apart again and have filed some areas to improve fit. Nice to know fit is quite good.

Kent Wiik · Post by **Kent Wiik** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:02 pm

John Fitzsimons wrote:I have a question about the bolt holes milled into the top of the drivers armour plate and the bolt holes on the turret roof. What diameter are the holes and is there a way to locate the position for the holes on the turret roof.

Hi John,

David Byrden had this one posted earlier on his amazing site:

Canâ€™t find it any more but it look accurate compared to this photo from the Vimoutier Late Tiger I:

The bolt holes diameter was about 20mm.

Hope this was of any help.
Have a nice weekend
Kent