Here are the masters for the Tiger 1 and 2 late type cupola. Due to the many parts needed for the cupola I will be taking deposits to confirm orders for the first batch of cupolas. This way I can determined weather to make multiple molds to speed up the production process or single molds. I am limiting the first batch to 100 units in kit form or assembled. This will mean casting 5600 metal parts and 200 resin parts. I figure with my current work load it will be 2 to 3 months before these are available. The second batch will not be produced until I have made a similar batch of Panther cupolas that will be limited to 50 units. More on the Panther Cupola soon.
TT37A Tiger 1 and 2 Late Cupola Assembled Price $550.00 Pre-production Price $500.00
TT37K Tiger 1 and 2 Late Cupola Kit Price $350.00 Pre-production Price $300.00
Pre-production price only available with a paid deposit of $100.00 by August 15, 2008. Full refund of deposit if you change your mind for any reason. Paypal payment refunds will be less my paypal fees.
I have made this cupola as close to the real one as I can in 6 scale. Most parts are functional like the real one with the exception of the hatch raising mechanism. It looks like the real one, but the spring and locking wheel do not function. The hatch cover can be raised and turned so the interior handle holds the cover up. Periscopes are removable and the locking clamps work like the real thing. The periscopes are hollow so clear plastic optics can be fitted. It is undetermined at this time as to wether real glass optics will be produced for these periscopes.
There are three things missing from the pictures, the hatch interior rubber head protector, the forehead protectors for the periscopes and the hatch bump stop. These will be included. Also missing are six periscopes covers, six periscopes and fittings. I only made two periscopes and one cover masters. Once I have the first samples cast I will post new pictures with all fittings.
Here are the pictures with notes.
Exterior pictures. Hatch does not close fully as brass master was made slightly longer to allow for shrinkage when cast. Note hatch bump stop is missing. I have a picture of it somewhere, but cannot find it. If someone as one please post it here or e-mail it to me. It will save me a lot of time.
May change the shape of the handle, this one taken from drawings. What do you think.
Real one for comparison.
Periscope cover is only rested in place so not fittted correctly.
Interior pictures. Hatch cover in closed position. Hatch lifting mechanism block should have clear space on both sides. This will be done.
Interior pictures. Hatch cover in open position. The interior hatch handle in this picture is not the correct design, see parts pictures for correct one. Made this just for demo as master has screw thread which will not fit until castings are made.
Real one for comparison.
Large nut in hatch cover center will not show on final part.
Periscope locking clamps.
Resin cast parts.
Other parts. Not all nuts and bolts shown. Complete fixtures included. Note the hatch cover arm is not the correct design, I made it this way as large thick parts do not cast well and thick parts can deform when the metal cools. Basic rule is less metal better parts detail. I may redesign it by putting side pieces on the arm leaving the underside hollow to reduce metal volume. What do you think, okay as is or change it.
Miniature parts.
The periscopes and clamps used in the cupola are the same ones used for the loaders periscope on the late Tiger 1 . I just need to make the mounting block for it, however as this can not be seen easily from the outside, it can be seen looking though the loaders hatch, I wonder if it is worth producing. Let me know what you think.
Please e-mail me your interest and I will invoice you for the deposit.
Regards
Mike
