John's Late Tiger 1

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 10:14 pm

Thanks Kent. Are those dimensions from 1:1 scale tiger in mm? Perfect.

Have added most of the turret weld lines. Thinking now of detailing for the cupola. I have the new loaders hatch lowered flush with the turret top. Then I will add texture to the turret roof. I was reading your method on adding rolled steel effect. Am I right in saying that It should be primed first prior to adding the texture?

You have a nice weekend also.

Kent Wiik · Post by **Kent Wiik** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 10:44 pm

Hi John,

Yes, all of Davidâ€™s measuring is in 1:1.
And yes I always primed first before texturing just to make sure the texture bound to the metal surface of our Armortek kits.

Kind regards
Kent

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 11:06 pm

Thanks Kent. With regard to Late Tiger 1 Zimmerit, I found an interesting article in one of my Tiger books (Osprey modelling the Tiger 1) on the subject of the difference between turret and hull Zimmerit. The article was about 1/35 scale. Scaling up would give a 23mm width for hull pattern and 35mm for turret. Deeper ridges on the turret and when zimmerit cured rub with sandpaper to create a flatter surface to ridges.

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 11:49 pm

I have been working on the turret for a few evenings. Here are some pictures of progress.

I have added the reworked turret bin from Steve Winstone. Amazing job Steve. Worth every penny.

Armorpax track hangers.
I have attached brass pins in the top hangers and drilled holes in the tops of the tracks to take the pins.

Armorpax loaders hatch which has been reworked slightly to enable the latches to open and close. I have opened the ruuf recess to accept the slightly larger hatch and hinges. With basic tools this was slow work but possible.

I intend to add Mike Stannards air vent with cover and probably the loaders periscope.

Bin fasteners are temporary as I need to source some nice scale hex bolts.

I have not done anything with the roof access yet but will do some work on that also.

I have opened up the periscope holes in the cupola the accept larger periscope which I will try to make myself.

First time to use miliput. Pleased with how hard and strong it cures and also easy to work with.

I will add lettering to ther mantlet but it has'nt arrived in the post yet.

Looking at the photos I think the mantlet looks a bit too square and flat. Is it correct or does it need some work?

Next to add some rolled steel texture. Also need to add the 8 bolt holes to the turret roof.

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 9:19 pm

I have decided to do some work on the hull.
I am now happy with the fit and can start assembly. I have coated with etch primer.
I have decided to countersink the fasteners on the hull bottom plate.
I have added some rebates prior to assembly to assist with application of weld lines.

All now fitted together nicely.

Can I wear this to open day?

I have now started to add texture. 1st phase.

Never tried this method before so any comments welcome. Dremell work ok but applied some Mr Surfacer 500. Does'nt seem to do anything. I expected it to be thicker?

Mike Kasputis · Post by **Mike Kasputis** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 1:35 am

Looks good so far.
I have to ask, what happened to the left side front of your turret?

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 8:27 am

Hi Mike, left side front. don't know what you mean exactly? Have I missed something. Do you mean where the turret front joins with the wrap?

Mike Kasputis · Post by **Mike Kasputis** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 2:45 am

Here is a comparison of your right and left sides. The right side is good but the left side is flat, should look like the right side.

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 8:39 am

Hi Mike,
Thats the way my turret wrap came. Didn't cut it. I did not know much about the late tiger so assumed this was just one of the differences between late and early tigers. Maybe one of the late Tiger experts could confirm is the kit was wrong.

Thanks for mentioning it Mike.

If the wrap is machined incorrectly I would prefer to just add a piece of aluminium and get my friend Mr Dremel to help with reshaping. I will check the pictures in my instruction manual later.

Steve Norris · Post by **Steve Norris** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 10:50 am

Hi John.
It looks like the turret wrap has been cut to short !
To repair this i would surgest finding some suitable material and profiling it to the correct shape the attaching it by CSK screws into the front edge. Finnally fill and blend to get a good finish.
Regards
Steve

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 11:36 am

Well spotted Mike. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Steve, thats exactly my plan and it should work well. I have asked Gill to send me a couple of offcuts of suitable thickness aluminium as she has my sprocket wheel there anyway for some additional machining.

I' sure even some real tigers were made with monday morning heads. Once complete nobody will ever know.

John

Tim Bowman · Post by **Tim Bowman** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:50 am

Hi John,

Greate job on your turret. The recessed loaders hatch looks very nice. Sorry about the short-sided wrap. Sounds like you have it all sorted though.

Keep the posts and photos coming. Watching with interest.

Kind regards
Tim

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 2:47 am

Now that I have my copy of the Modeler's guide to the Tiger Tank I can research things a bit better. First thing I notice is that The Loaders hatch is not the correct hatch for the June 44 version with the weld line across the turret roof. I can live with this though as I like both. Plus the escape hatch hinge needs slight modification. When I get the wrap situation sorted out I will get back to the turret. Gill is looking after it for me.

John Fitzsimons · Post by **John Fitzsimons** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 1:00 am

I have started work on weld lines on the hull and also some rolled steel texturing.

Now have a full crew in uniform.

I have been working on some small parts also. I have replaced the handles on the supplied shovel and hammer and have started to assemble some tool clamps from Armorpax.

I have added the lettering to my exhaust shields.

Some of the parts from Steve Winstone. Miniature works of art.

Bosch Headlight

Starter plate and handles.

Jack Block

20 ton Jack and brackets

I have also done some work on the wheels. Starting with the Sprockets and idlers.

I have added some factory lettering to the Sprocket wheels. All fasteners used on the sprockets are from the kit.

I am now working on my Armorpax driver and radio operator hatches. Detail is great but I wanted the locking latches to work and this has been done. I will also change the method of securing the hinges as the current method will not be strong enough. I will post pictures of progress shortly. Also tackling the hubcap bolt upgrade as per Tim Bowman's post but some of my fasteners have not arrived yet even though an earlier order from the same supplier has arrived. Thanks Tim for the help there. Probably not exactly as per Tim's but I will post some photos of the modifications soon.

Robert E Morey · Post by **Robert E Morey** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 7:27 pm

John,
Great looking details added to the hull. Your work on the sprockets looks great. This be be a fantastic looking Tiger. Keep us posted on your progress.
Bob