Tiger 1 (Early Variant) 2004 #98 build

[mark lawson]

Graham, I was just about to say your lift may be a little low but I see you have sorted that problem out, I always found a bike lift was ideal as a work bench just a little long but then there was always a lot of space to spread parts and tools out.

[Graham Hough]

Thanks Mark. As you can see I do not have room for a full size bike lift, mine is a short one but has helped me build a few bikes. Before that it was an old Black & Decker Workmate but a bit risky getting the bike off! This one is handy to turn round to get to all sides so, so far, is working well.

[Graham Hough]

Maybe a bit too soon but info on painting please. We want to have our tank in sand yellow (right Sam?). So after the etch primer can someone please recommend base coat and top coat paint suppliers and colour reference. May be a bit early but some parts will have to painted before they are covered by others so I would like to get supplies in. Thanks.

[Sam Hough]

Yes. I was thinking a cousin of the 131 so we have an actual vehicle to look at, must organise that trip, but we have an excuse for inaccuracies (field repair on 132 not on 131).

I hope you know I'm expecting something as good as Dale's


Source: http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... 63&start=0

[Graham Hough]

Lot of work needed on the drivers vision blocks to suit main body. A lot of time spent on working out suspension layout so that I can understand it! See drawing version 3!

[Sam Hough]

I had no idea it was so complicated. Different for how many road wheels and then again for spring loading!? Heavier loading front and back?

You getting to build the 1/35th, 1/16th and 1/6th scale is hindering my education. The 1/72nd didn't cut it.

[Graham Hough]

Two pair front and two pair rear 5mm rest 4mm. You have no idea how it hurt my head lining up the wheels when one side has leading swing arms and t'other has trailing swing arms, that plan has layers of corrections All clear now so I can start bolting in the anchor blocks in the right place and firm up the floor. Then may do something simpler like the top deck!

[Graham Hough]

Lots of fiddly jobs, including having to make a suspension block and idler adjustment bolt retainers. Now some reshaping of the engine grills is needed because some of them are bowed.

Does anyone have a spare pair idler tension covers CE0322 ? These are missing form our kit.

[Sam Hough]

You have been busy. Looks fun. I've been pondering electro plating aluminium in steel. Sounds like you get to use lots of toxic liquids.

[Graham Hough]

Bit more work including making a special drill to ream out the flash hider on the machine gun. Also I bolted a plate inside the hull to reinforce the tow hook just in case we want to tow stuff.

[John Fitzsimons]

At this point, have you considered lowering the rear deck. Looks a lot better when done.
The newer kits had a seperate rear deck and this was not an issue.

[Sam Hough]

Well you enjoy that while I go to work

[Graham Hough]

John
Lowering rear deck - by how much. I have re positioned the brackets bolted to the rear panel because the 90 degree angle made the deck higher when bolted on to the the sloping rear panel.

[Graham Hough]

....having just looked at the photos of 131 I see what you mean - yes I will do that.

[John Fitzsimons]

Go way back through the Tiger 1 forum and you find this. All the instructions you need. The difficult part is removing the excess from the thick rear armour plate once the deck is lowered. Then you need also to lower the exhaust guards and armoured guards. Exhausts remain in same place. Also sink the square head deck bolts.


http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... f=6&t=1045

For anyone building the new kits, do not worry about this mod. I think the kit is changed for 2010 kits onwards.