Late Tiger 1

[simon_manning]

thanks bob for asking, i want to build the sdkfz 7 halftrack but having a problem finding a kit or half built one, i still have parts to finish on my sturmtiger, morter barrel rifleling, making a missle for it, some small stuff etc plus summer has been hot. now the bad weather is back i'll get on it.
steve winstone here in the u.k. does a lovely upgrade on the Armortek tiger 1 stowage bin, sensible cost also, regards simon

[Robert E Morey]

Simon
I'd like to have the SDKFZ 7, and of course FAMO too. Both awesome half tracks. I have too many kits in queue already, and not much time to build. I'm lucky to get the hatch done. I'll have to look into the bin from Steve - I know he's struggling with personal life issues and mentioned that he didn't have a lot of time for bins as they take a long time to make.

[ATTILA KISS]

You are busy, great ! Nice work !
Cheers

[Robert E Morey]

Wow 2018 since my last post on this subject - wow time flies. Been tinkering with the tracks for the later Tiger. Not sure if I will do this modification for all of the tracks. Lets call this an experiment!

CNC machined an "ice cleat" insert for the track link from high strength grade aluminum. The track link is machined to add pin holes to support and lock the insert and to remove the cleats in original tracks.





Insert fitted to track links:


The insert is bonded to the original link with JB weld - metal reinforced epoxy. The ends of the links are rounded off:


The link is then machined again to remove excess insert and adhesive etc and to closely match track link shape.. The last two links were my setup parts - insert didn't come out perfectly centered on the link. The front two links the fit of insert is nearly perfect. Then primer + gun metal paint:





I think these will be strong enough for outside use. The JB weld is some strong stuff.

These add some interest and lacking detail to the Later Tiger tracks no?
Bob

[simon_manning]

Hi Bob, nice for some stowage, display on the Turret side, etc. regards simon.

[Adrian Harris]

Very ingenious

I think you've just invented remoulds/retreads for Armortek track links

Adrian.

[Robert E Morey]

Adrian
I hadn't thought of that - retreads! LOL. Hopefully they last of few miles before ending up by the side of the road.

Simon I'm thinking of "retreading" all of the links not just the detail ones. A good bit of work for sure!

Thanks for looking in!
Bob

[Christoffer Ahlfors]

That's quite an ambitious project!
It is quite graitifying to watch a cnc machine do its work, but before you get to that stage, there is about 90% of the work to do! And then the 50% consisting of assembly, blending in, machining, blackening and finishing. That's 140% just there, a and then there is the rest - an awful lot of work!
But looking very good and will surely make quite a difference to a late tiger!

[Robert E Morey]

Hi Chris
Yes very satisfying to watch CNC - esp when it makes parts correctly! Lots of head scratching and problem solving if something goes wrong - like warped material = insert cleats are not centered on material. I would not attempt this project without CNC however.

Yes lots of work to do a project like this. Lots of CAD, measuring, photo research, etc. I made a fixture to hold the links to machine them as well. Hard to justify the project looking at the hours involved. But it does fix something I feel is missing from the Late Tiger. Its signature ice cleat tracks.

Still haven't convinced myself to do them all like this. Will keep you posted. Perhaps just modify a few at time,

Thanks for comments!
B