Jagdtiger No40 build.

[Paul Sparkes]

I was fortunate enough to buy the Jagdtiger recently advertised in the for sale section. The previous owner Mike had started building but had given up for various reasons. The wheels, tracks and dry fitment of the hull had already been completed.
At the recent Bovington model show we (my son the real reason I’m into tanks and myself) had a lengthy chat with Peter who had his Jagtiger on display. Peter wasn’t keen to sell me his,or his spare from the basement so timing was perfect. A 6 hour round trip later and we now have another tank to add to the collection, 1/6 king tiger and a t34 both from another manufacturer. Both highly modified, with the t34 getting a full CNC steel chassis to resolve alignment issues. I have a steel fabrication business so tools and metal working knowledge is my day job, this build is therapy

Hoping to add some interesting ideas into the mix, and will obviously need some help and guidance along the way.

Now to work out how to upload pictures

[Vince Cutajar]

Hi Paul and congratulations on getting your hands on the Jagdtiger. With your CNC capability I will look forward to see some cool upgrades to the tank.

Vince

[Adrian Harris]

To upload pictures:

There is an orange "Attachments" button under the editor.

Click on that and you get an orange button marked "Add files".

Click on that and you should get a window where you can select the file(s) you want to upload. There are some restrictions on file size.

Once the file has uploaded, click on the orange "Place inline" button and it will add a tag to your message at the cursor position.

I find that they look better if you add two blank lines above and below.

If you upload several pictures, the get listed in reverse order, so select from the bottom when you place inline.

Are you the chap I spoke to at the SW Model Show who had the linear rail idea with the T-34 ?

Adrian.

[Peter Quambusch]

I was fortunate enough to buy the Jagdtiger recently advertised in the for sale section. The previous owner Mike had started building but had given up for various reasons. The wheels, tracks and dry fitment of the hull had already been completed.
At the recent Bovington model show we (my son the real reason I’m into tanks and myself) had a lengthy chat with Peter who had his Jagtiger on display. Peter wasn’t keen to sell me his,or his spare from the basement so timing was perfect. A 6 hour round trip later and we now have another tank to add to the collection, 1/6 king tiger and a t34 both from another manufacturer. Both highly modified, with the t34 getting a full CNC steel chassis to resolve alignment issues. I have a steel fabrication business so tools and metal working knowledge is my day job, this build is therapy

Hoping to add some interesting ideas into the mix, and will obviously need some help and guidance along the way.

Now to work out how to upload pictures

Hi Paul,

Glad to see that you got yourself a JT!!
Hope you´ll enjoy the build as much as I did!
Regards to your son!

Cheers

Peter

[Paul Sparkes]

To upload pictures:

There is an orange "Attachments" button under the editor.

Click on that and you get an orange button marked "Add files".

Click on that and you should get a window where you can select the file(s) you want to upload. There are some restrictions on file size.

Once the file has uploaded, click on the orange "Place inline" button and it will add a tag to your message at the cursor position.

I find that they look better if you add two blank lines above and below.

If you upload several pictures, the get listed in reverse order, so select from the bottom when you place inline.

Are you the chap I spoke to at the SW Model Show who had the linear rail idea with the T-34 ?

Adrian.

Thanks Adrian, I did see that but don’t seem to be able to upload with the correct resolution from my iPad.

Yes it was me at the model show

[Paul Sparkes]

Jagdtiger upper hull

Think I’ve worked it out now.

[Paul Sparkes]

What’s the best way to fill the hole in the side plates, millilitres or car body filler?
Also what’s used on armour plate texture, I have tried filler primer and mr surfaced 500 spray but neither look ok.I’m guessing a brushed or stippled look will be better.
I’m going to use millilitres on the welds, or is there anything nicer/easier to use?
Picture for reference taken from Peters build, hope you don’t mind.

[Vince Cutajar]

For filling in unused holes I use JBWeld (not JBKwik).

Also what’s used on armour plate texture

Do you mean for zimmerrit or the steel plate hot rolled effect?

Vince

[Paul Sparkes]

Some progress pics, all suspension is in and set, lower hull almost complete.
First attempt at weld seams but my milliput was hard so didn’t go so great, will get more and try again.

Lots of work on the gun and pigs head today, I’ll update with pictures of what I’ve done to achieve good gun movement as it was very limited especially when elevated.
I’m really happy so far.

[Paul Sparkes]

Building wheels and making the rear panel removable, will also have the roof and maybe the front removable using small lithium magnets for easy access.

Now to decide on motion packs and electronics, i already have a bunch of components left over from other projects these include: sabertooth 2x32 amp and a 2x60amp, benedini 2x60 and a 4 x40 amplifier. An openpanzer TCB which I have used in the other 2 tanks we have to great effect. And a host of other wiring fuses etc.

So I need the main drive motors but do I go with the motion packs? And sound packs etc.

I have 2 linear servos which I could use on the elevation and slew. I also wish to get the best sound possible so maybe looking into Beier.

Too many choices, what are your thoughts?

[Paul Sparkes]

Mock-up of gun elevation and depression. I’m now have the full 4 degree depression (yes I know the original has 5 but the model gun will crash into the front plate if I do that)and 15 degree elevation using the full 50mm travel of the linear servo. It’s nice and slow and really powerful, 200nm.
Remember it’s just the mock-up to show principle of operation stronger and nicer brackets will be made next.

Slew next on the list then recoil alterations.

The mechanism

Lifepo4 or not to Lifepo4 that’s the next major investment i’m researching.

[Paul Sparkes]

Lots of progress on the wiring, in the rear lower section I have the main power distribution with circuit breaker, relay and fuse boxes, the left is for 24v and the right is 12v from a 24v to 12v converter.

Power distribution

Speaker boxes then fill the sides, each holding 2x4” speakers.

Speaker boxes in place

In between will be the main switch panel that hinges to reveal the fuses and smoker etc

Switch panel

All accessible through the rear hatch for everyday use.

Rear panel in place

Still a long way to go before the first outing,Tiger Day at Bovington this Saturday.
Still need to learn Opentx and Beier as well as the rest of the wiring and get movement.
Also looking at different Beier soundfiles as the basic is a little lacking so far.unless someone wants to share there’s.
Oh my, and I have a super busy work week. Anyone want to lend a hand?

[Paul Sparkes]

Some progress on the recoil. I have 130mm + of recoil using a 35kg servo. A couple of videos if your interested.
https://flic.kr/p/2nhD7S9
https://flic.kr/p/2nhC68i
Gun traverse next on the list.

Sound system is also now complete with a 4 channel amplifier and jbl 8”sub along with 4x4” jbl 2 way speakers.

Been playing with Expo on the RC but still lots to do to make it drive nicely. Still trying to work out how to stop linear servo from self centring.

[Christoffer Ahlfors]

Any chance of speeding up the retraction? I have never been able to see a gun retract - it's too fast. Still, for the audience, it needs to be at a perceivable level.

[Paul Sparkes]

Any chance of speeding up the retraction? I have never been able to see a gun retract - it's too fast. Still, for the audience, it needs to be at a perceivable level.

I’m going to try a faster servo, but I fear it will never be fast enough. The Beier is restricted to 0.1 second so maybe a faster servo may not help.

The 90mm long arm moves the barrel quick.