Late Tiger 1

[Robert E Morey]

Hi All
I thought I would post some images of my Late Tiger 1 progress. I originally purchased this tank in 2007, sold it in 2010 and then bought it back from that buyer in 2011. The hull was primered by the buyer. I started building this model in 2016. Progress has been slow due to other commitments and projects.

Started assembling the turret. Made several modifications so far. I could not locate the kit white metal prisms for the cupola, so I used some leftover from my Panther G project. They are not perfect but better than nothing. I closed the opening in the periscope covers with steel sheet, soldered in place. I am remaking the hatch hinge mounting.





I replaced the 5X turret roof screws with rare earth magnets and reworked the track link hangers from blobs to more accurate shape. Still need to add the small handles to the link hangers.







Secured the spare track links to turret sides with M3 screws from inside. Also had to make the pins for the track hanger bracket - these apparently were not provided in the kit, or went missing.







I raised up the turret roof grenade launcher and remade the lower hull armor from aluminum:





All for now, hopefully more progress soon.
B

[Brian Ostlind]

Awesome update. I wish I could do stuff like that too. But I’m trying to stay in the box.

[Vince Cutajar]

Hi Bob. Will be following your progress and if you don't mind copying some of your mods.

Vince

[Robert E Morey]

Hi Vince
Copy away! Some of my mods are "copies" from other builders as well.

Thanks Brian, some mods are not to involved really. The lower armor pieces can be made with a hacksaw and drill and some 1/4" alum plate (or modify original parts). The magnets can be done with a drill (and epoxy). I keep telling myself one of these days I build one as is - out of the box. So far never happened.

More soon. Posting motivates me to get more done....
Bob

[Robert E Morey]

Hi All
A few more updates. After a couple days working on the turret cupola and commanders hatch. I remade the lift/opening mechanism with stainless steel post and brass sleeve. The hatch has a locked position now when open. I machined the bottom of the hatch to lighten it and make the simulated head pad. The underside of hatch should be curved but I didn't have the tools <or patience> to cut the curve so I settled for straight cuts - it looks better than stock. The detail isn't very visible anyway . I added 2mm shim to the hatch arm and added a second screw to get the hatch to sit properly, but it closes and works much more smoothly now. For some reason the hatch arm is missing the handle which is shown in the manual

Inside hatch mechanism. Stainless steel pivot post.


Underside of hatch detailed a bit.


hatch open in locked position.


hatch closed - nice snug fit now!


Plug made for close defense launcher.


Till next time.....cheers.

[Steve Norris]

Hi Bob
Nice mods you have done, I will be keeping an eye on your build as I have a second hand late tiger that I am going to rebuild.
Regards
Steve

[simon_manning]

nice to see you building again on the forum, regards simon manning.

[Robert E Morey]

Hi Steve
Many thanks - most of the mods I think you did on yours years back. I just went through the forum and downloaded as many pix of your build as I could find. You set the bar high for rest of us! Question for you - when you lowered the rear deck did you also lower the exhaust shields and exhaust housing holes on the rear plate?

Thanks Simon, its good to be back on an Armortek project. What are you working on these days? I miss seeing your excellent build posts as well.
Best regards,
Bob

[Robert E Morey]

Few more updates. Installed the lower half of the periscopes. These were left over from my Panther G project. They are cast from white metal, like the top half scopes. They look ok from a standoff distance.

Installed lower periscopes. Good enough from standoff distance?


Painted the prisms silver to see effect. My paint skills are lousy with old(er) eyes and too much coffee!


Standoff view from top side:


Will probably add the face pads for the lower scopes at some point. I don't want the cupola to become a lifetime project. LOL

Till next time...
Bob

[Adrian Harris]

Great work Bob - good to see you building on here again. Not really a fair adversary for the M5 though

> too much coffee!

Camomile tea - I find it works wonders for calming things down

Adrian.

[Robert E Morey]

Hello Adrian
Its good to be back on an Armortek project. Although the M5 isn't done (are they ever) - I need a break from it.

Quick update: Working on the inside of the turret white metal escape hatch (2007 Tiger 1). Several days work on this already.

A couple CAD images of the hatch insert. The lock bar will be functional and hold hatch closed once finished.





Images showing the hatch insert in place and the lock bar. Not all parts have been completed yet. The aluminum insert is hollow on the back side to reduce weight of this assembly.





Hatch in closed position. The two screws which hold in the hatch insert will be covered with Zimmerit (ie covered).



Till next time.....
B

[Vince Cutajar]

I suspect I need to do something like that to my escape hatch also. Looking at the manual, there doesn't seem to be anything to keep it closed.

Vince

[Robert E Morey]

Some new images of the nearly completed escape hatch insert. Still need to make final adjustments, file the rect notch in the turret (to clear the lock bar) and install the fake gasket (.06" Styrene rod).

Insert with lock bar and lock handles:




Installed in hatch for fit check etc:





Till next time....
Bob

[simon_manning]

you know how it starts, just a rest from another project, then the detail will grab you, nice hatch, regards simon manning.

[yves mouton]

Nice work on the tiger 1 turret hatch Bob!
ps: i am gonna work on the panther soon,
i can already use my arm again.

Best regards Yves