Exploding 1/6 Tiger

[Peter Silcock]

I wonder if anyone has any more information on the 1/6 Tiger which literally exploded at a recent meeting in (I think) Germany? Videos of the incident have been posted on tinternet apparently. I ask because I want to avoid whatever the owner did wrong!

[Günter Gäbelein]

Hi Peter,

I don't know what happened exactly, but the owner has used explosives (ammunition) in the model. You can find a video and some pictures in the German RCPanzer Forum

[Stephen White]

Brilliant entertainment. Sympathetic detonation of blank firing charges, followed by "catastrophic disassembly". Details and film here:

http://www.onesixthwarriors.com/forum/s ... ation.html

You have to feel for the modeller, particularly as the unmsympathetic reaction of the large crowd was to laugh. Two small children nearby seemed unaffected - I like steadiness under fire.

You might imply from the tone of my remarks that blank firers don't score any points for me. The sound is utterly unrealistic in representing a high velocity tank gun. On the other hand, it would be good to get some good sound files for Thomas B from tank live firing. You used to be able to view tank firing at Lulworth in the UK but not sure if the British Army can afford live ammunition any more.......

On the other hand, blank firers do make a wonderful simulation of an ammunition explosion after a tank is penetrated. A bit costly to repeat though.

Fingers in ear means nothing to fear.

Stephen

[Peter Silcock]

Thanks Gunter and Stephen and I have now watched the video. Quite dangerous and I would have thought gunpowder (if that was the cause) and small children was not a good mix. Sometimes Health and Safety rules in the UK are derided but occasionally you can see their point!

[Armortek]

Although we do not have any confirmed information as to exactly what caused this, please let this be a reminder to anyone using the blank firer of the importance of following all safety instructions provided with this device. The correct cartridges must be used and they should be fitted as described in the instructions. If anyone has obtained a device second hand and was not provided with this information by the original owner, please contact us directly.

Thank you.

Mark

[yves mouton]

Hello,

I saw the video to, i think one of his batteries has a gas leak,
and the batterie has a explosion, i donth know is this happend by using the blankfire
but i think that the blankfire has nothing to do with it, because if you look ath the
video there is inside the hull or the turret no sign of black powder residu to see.
I saw this guy on a fair in Dortmund he is from Germany, the video you see is from a fair ath the Munster museum also in Germany.
Best regards Yves

[Kevin Hunter]

While the exact cause remains unknown - blank firer or battery - the blank firer is almost certainly a factor? If you watch the video clip closely, frame by frame, there is a muzzle emission immediately before the main explosion.

Could the blank ignite fumes from a leaking / overheating battery, or is it the sole cause of this unfortunate accident?

I know nothing about the blank firers but unless the owner was doing something improper or inappropriate with it then I do have much sympathy. Makes my Centurion "engine fire" seem quite insignificant - notwithstanding damage to my electrics, at least the fabric of my tank remains intact.

Either way it highlights the need for care and diligence when using these things, especially so at public exhibitions.

Kevin

[yves mouton]

Hello Kevin,

Yes i think it's possible that the blanks could ignite the gas from the batterie
if it's leaking.
Black powder is a very explosif product, if you use the blankfire you have to put
on all the six blanks a little bit of vaseline on the top, to prevent if you shoot one blank
that the sparks not ignite all the other blanks ath the same time.
best regards Yves

[Günter Gäbelein]

Hi,

it was definitely no battery which blow up. It was the whole magazine of a blank firer, probably self made.
Regarding exlosives or blank firer I agree with Steven White.

[John Fitzsimons]

Looks like he had not secured the deck or turret roof or used the bracket supplied with the kit to prevent the turret from coming off. Maybe any body with a blank firer should think about this.
Lucky nobody hurt.
It would be nice to know what happened.

[yves mouton]

Hello,

I have a blankfire in my tiger and king tiger, i have no problems to fire.
You just have to know what you're doing.
I meet also someone on tankfest a few years ago, and he had the same accident, that
all six the blanks ignite ath the same time, he didnt use vaseline on the blanks and
forgot to screw on the big star looking nut on the shaft.
Best regards Yves

[dennypatterson]

this happened in the u.k 3/4 years ago at a model ex, all 6 blanks went off together, and this happened in doors!!!! as one person said was that supposed to happen!!!! we all laughed like hell, mr, white , Hethf and safty have shut the viewing area down at bovy,but still do live firing.

[mark lawson]

I’m surprised this has taken so long to reach this forum this happened more than 1 month ago, there has been a lot of talk about this incident on forums around the world, 99.9% of the comments are being made by people who were not even in Germany let alone present at Munster, Wolfgang has not publically made any comment on how or why this happened, it would be best not to speculate.

[Simon Peck]

Not to worry, I'm sure it'll polish out.

[Paul Wills]

Here's a different angle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRZfKDZ0urk it wasn't the blank firer that exploded as you can see it is still complete.

Most likely battery leaking and the spark from the blank ignited it spectacular, but I am glad it wasn't me

Paul.