Vince's Tiger 1 late variant 2017

[Tom OBrien]

Vince,

After being away from the forum for awhile, it was fun to see the progress you've made.

Watching you test the tank in motion, it reminded me that I need to work on my track issue. I've been having problems with the tracks, especially the right side -- it's probably an alignment issue, but I've tried re-aligning them multiple times, and have even replaced the final drive sprockets, and chamfering them only slightly thinking that was the problem.

The taper lock bushing was coming loose on the left side, moving outward and causing the track to slip toward the hull, so I think I might have solved that problem by tightening the grub screws (and I mean really torqueing them down to the point where I thought I'd over-torque and break them). So far, they seem to be holding.

On the right side, the track kept slipping outward from the hull at the drive sprockets. I checked the alignment of the road wheels and installed a spacer (washer) to move them outward just slightly. This seemed to help but I'm still having problems with the track wanting to come off the sprockets.

I've experimented with greater and fewer tracks on each side, adjusting the tension as I do, and am now at 92 tracks per side and running at about half way at idler adjustment.

It's been a frustrating time with the tracks, and I've been avoiding working the issue because of this. I'll run it out in the next few days and continue looking for the right solution.

cheers... Tom

[Vince Cutajar]

Hi Tom. Sorry to hear that you are still having problems with the tracks. To be honest, I have only driven mine for short periods and always on a smooth surface, so I might have the same problem and still don't know about it. Having said that, whenever I will finish mine, it will always be the same - short drives on a smooth surface. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Vince

[Vince Cutajar]

Finished the loader's hatch brass hinges. Also assembled the Armorpax loader's hatch. Cut a hole in the turret roof for the loader's periscope.

Trial fit of the loader's hatch and periscope:

Turret crane boss added

Now that both the hatch and periscope guard are in their final position, I added the turret crane boss between them to see how it looks. I think I need to move it a little forward as it's too close to the hinge.

Vince

[Vince Cutajar]

I have moved the turret crane boss which is in front of the loader's hatch a bit forward. The one in front of the cupola backwards and sideways. In the process of painting the parts of the turret roof. I still need to figure out how to invisibly attach the turret roof to the turret. The rear turret crane boss will be one of the attachment points and was thinking of using magnets at the front but now having second thoughts about using magnets. I am assuming that when using magnets, one has to literally yank the roof off which could damage the turret roof weld seam. So at the moment I am at a standstill.

Came across all the parts that I haven't used. Someday after the build is finished I need to dispose of them. One of these parts was the small filler cap for the rear engine deck. I forgot I had it. I had bought one extra before I modified mine just in case the alteration did not work out. So to pass the time, whilst thinking of the turret roof problem, I modified this one also to have a square hole.

Larry, if you want it, send me a PM.

Vince

[Adrian Harris]

Dale Jordan used two biscuits sitting in slots in the back of the mantlet, and then used the lifting lug at the back of the turret to act as a spring loaded plunger. Unfortunately, it looks like his Photobucket pictures are missing now.

Adrian.

[Vince Cutajar]

Thanks Adrian.

I remember seeing that post sometime ago but have forgotten the details. Pity the photos are not there anymore. You wouldn't have a link to that post?

Vince

[Adrian Harris]

I searched the topic for dale and then searched those results for turret and looked through the results.

Adrian

[Vince Cutajar]

Thanks Adrian. Found it:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2871&hilit=turret+roof

All the photos are there except that they are out of focus.

Vince

[David Battson]

Hi Vince,
For info, this is what I have done on my Tiger
At the front edge of the turret I cut slots into the two kit supplied brackets. These engage with two flanged pins that are screwed to the underside of the roof.

At the rear I added a wedge shaped block which is flanked on either side by strips of alloy. This aligns with a corresponding wedge shaped block fixed to the underside of the roof at the rear. When closed, the two wedge shaped blocks are locked together by a spring loaded plunger attached to the rear lifting boss.

The two kit supplied central support block were also added to provide support to the middle of the roof, but weren't fixed to it.
To fit the roof the front end is angled in first so that the two front pins engage in the slots. The rear is then lowered down into position. The two strips either side of the rear block engage with the corresponding block on the roof and guides it into position. The combination of the slots at the front and the rear guide make sure that the roof comes down squarely with no chance of it moving sideways and damaging the delicate milliput welds around the edges.

To make removal of the roof easier, before adding the fake welds I put a slight chamfer on the side edges of the roof. Also I temporarily added a strip of sellotape to the roof edge so the milliput weld would not stick to the roof and to give a little bit of clearance in use.
Finally, once you've taken the roof off, what do you do with it ? - my solution was to add three legs to the underside which means you can put it down anywhere without fear of damaging paint, animatronic figures etc.

Regards
David

[Christoffer Ahlfors]

David,
The pulley system looks very interesting. What is it for?

[Vince Cutajar]

Thanks for that David. That's another good way of going about it.

Was going to paint the loader's hatch and periscope guard with the base coat but half way through ran out of paint. It's a holiday today (Independence Day) so have to wait till Monday to get some more paint. So instead, this weekend, I will try to clear all the clutter from the workshop table to make space for the turret.

Vince

[Vince Cutajar]

Some more progress on the turret roof. I decided to attempt using David's method to attach the roof to the turret and happy to say that it worked like a charm.

Made two brackets for the front of the turret,

and two brass "thingies" that are attached to the bottom of the roof.

Now the turret roof can be slid forward and held by the two brackets. At the back of the roof I am using the existing attachments for the turret roof crane socket.

I also liked David's idea of using "legs" and made three up from brass rod.

Two of them are held by my custom made turret roof crane sockets which I made some time ago.

Nearly finished with the turret roof. At the moment applying some aluminium putty to the sheet metal bender marks in the hope that I can hide them and then painting.

Vince

[Vince Cutajar]

Maybe this photo from below with the roof attached will make more sense.

Vince

[Robert E Morey]

Interesting roof latch down method. I like the posts to rest the roof on as well, protects that cupola hatch mechanism and other details! Great progress Vince!
Best regards,
Bob

[Vince Cutajar]

Thanks Bob for the comments.

As I said earlier I got the idea for both from David Battson.

Vince