Tiger 1, 2, Panther and other AFV Blowtorch Heater

[Mike Stannard (toyrific)]

Hi Guys

A customer contacted me about a part on the Tiger 1 that appears to have been over looked, that is the blowtorch heater cover on the rear hull of the Late Tiger 1. I must admit I had not noticed this myself. As I have to make a new casting mold for the 20 ton jack mounts I need more parts to fill the mold. Hence I decided to make this heater cover, blowtorch and tray for the Tiger 1. This method of heating the engine was also used on the Tiger 2 and Panther. However the holding tray is slightly different on the Panther and I suspect also different on the Tiger 2. I have to do more research to determined the difference. If any one has any information that would help me it will be appreciated.

The blowtorch appears to be a normal part of German AFV's and vehicle tool kits, I can confirm it was parts of the SdKfz 250 kit. I am therefore offering the blowtorch as a separate item in the General AFV section of my catalog.

The blowtorch heater was introduced on the late Tiger 1 in February 1944. The Tiger 2 and Panther from the beginning of production as far as I can tell as the both have the heater cover fitted.

Available for order now. Product available in about 4 to 6 weeks
TT51 Tiger 1 and 2 Blowtorch Heater Cover $25.00
TT52A Tiger 1 Blowtorch Heater and Tray $75.00
TT52K Tiger 1 Blowtorch Heater and Tray as a Kit $40.00

Pending final design of tray.
TT53A Tiger 2 Blowtorch Heater and Tray $75.00
TT53K Tiger 2 Blowtorch Heater and Tray as a Kit $40.00

Pending final design of tray.
Pan30A Panther Blowtorch Heater and Tray $75.00
Pan30K Panther Blowtorch Heater and Tray as a Kit $40.00

Available for order now. Product available in about 4 to 6 weeks
Gent040A Blowtorch Heater $55.00
Gent040K Blowtorch Heater as a Kit $30.00

TT51. Tiger 1 and 2 Blowtorch heater cover. Cast in white metal with scaled machine turned pointed head bolts.
As fitted.



Parts in kit.



Correct design hole that will need to be drilled in rear hull if you want to use the blowtorch fitted for display. If you just want the cover detail all is needed is two holes to bolt it in place. There is a set up of hoses and fixtures on the inside of the hull for heating the engine water. See attached diagram below from "DW to Tiger 1" by Jentz and Doyle, page 142.



TT52. Tiger 1 Blowtorch and tray. Blowtorch will be cast in white metal with a photo-etched brass tray.
This is a non functional blowtorch, setting knob and pump handle will turn. The are several designs of the blowtorch. I picked what I thought was the easiest to make.





Folding tray. I am unsure how this was attached to the rear hull when the cover was removed. I have made it with a simple hook that hangs in the heater hole. Any information on this would be welcome before I do the artwork for the photo-etching.



Blowtorch and tray fitted.



Picture showing scale of blowtorch.


Picture of blowtorch I based my design on, along with several other relics.



Picture of blowtorch fitted on Panther, this is the only one I have found, the tray is definitely different from the Tiger 1 tray, but I cannot figure out how it was attached, it appears to be bolted in place using the bottom bolt of the hole cover. Once again any help would be welcome.



Diagram of interior of the heater system.



Please contact me if you are interested in any of these products.

Regards
Mike

[Scott Swartz]

Mike they look great. Sign me up for a TT51 and a TT53A.

[Kent Wiik]

Hi Mike!

Sorry this time for missing your call for help, so much to do and so little time…
Anyhow here is my 10 cents in this:

The tray was all different for the Tiger I, II and Panther due to the angle of the rear plate
and the cover cap layout.

Tiger I


Tiger II


Panther


Judging by the available drawings and the photo of a Panther set up the Tiger cone bolts and
the Panther bolt(s ?) was used to fasten the tray.
Your hook didn’t work as there was no chance to get a grip since the hole was packed with
the attaching pipe as seen here in the photo:



The trays had welded pipe sleeves for the bolts as this photo show:



2 side by side for the Tiger I and II but I am not so sure how the Panther tray was done.

The lower left one had a pipe sleeve but I wonder if the upper right one had it as well?
To reach that upper bolt the metal plates will be very thin and fragile as the attachment hole is so wide.
It is not enough with just one attachment as the tray will then rotate clockwise.
But if a second one was there or a semi circular tray front plate into the attachment hole was the design it might work.

Sorry I can’t help you any more then so regarding the Panther tray, we simply have to wait until a WW2 relic turns up here.

Kind regards
Kent