The Official Armortek Forum - World leader in one sixth scale metal kits

I agree it is very nice to have metal construction. The idlers are not fully extended. Closer to halfway. I did try adding a track and fully extending them but it was slipping off the sprocket so I loosened them and took the link off again. The thing that surprised me with the tighter track length is how hard it is to get the tracks installed. I have to use a wrench to squeeze the links close enough just to get the pin in.

Yeah, at 92 tracks, it takes a bit of compressing the tracks to get a pin in. I'll work a length of 2x4 under the tracks so when I go to pull one part of the track to the other to attach them, I don't have to deal as much with the track's weight.

I use a short length of brass coat hanger to get one track aligned with the next. Then, I can replace the brass rod with the track's stainless pin, working the brass rod outward a little at a time. All of this is done with the track tensioner at its most lax, of course.

Tom

Deck work...

Looking good Brian. I am still working on my engine deck. Hopefully tomorrow I should start the final assembly of the deck.

Vince

Brian, that looks really nice.

I had a really fun time building mine. Mostly because Armortek did such a great job with the kit.

The last thing I have to do is sort out the radio control, specifically, the main gun elevation motor.

Tom

Looking at the little pieces. Building a model is the most fun aspect of the whole process.

I agree, it's the process of building that's fun. But running it and watching things work successfully is also satisfying to me.

Sometimes I'll break a part, over torque something, whatever and have to fabricate a new one. Usually the smaller pieces. I keep some liquid weld on hand and have a soldering gun ready just in case.

Also, I have a tap and die set -- I've found occasion to tap a new, larger threaded hole for some fasteners.

It helps to have the right tools, work space, lifting tables, etc. for something this big. Looks like you got it all.

BTW, the instructions contain some mislabeling of parts/fasteners. Not many, and you can figure out which ones they meant to use. If you have any questions let me know -- I kept notes.

Tom

Jack clamps and tow rope clamp.

I added some hubcaps after doing some more test driving. Everything is working well so I am ready to start bolting the rest of the parts together and adding them to the chassis.

I have a small paint booth to progress with the priming. I am using Rustoleum Automotive (non etch) primer for the steel pieces

Piece by piece priming...

I also use Rustoleum primer (red oxide) for the primer coat. From what I've gathered, in 1944 when the last of the Tigers were built, the Germans relied on whatever primer paints they had on hand, and it seems they shifted to using red oxide when they ran out of or low on dark yellow.

I think they shipped the tanks to the field in red oxide with additional cans of green and whatever other colors they still had on hand for the tank crews to paint and camoflage as they deemed necessary, depending on their operating terrain.

For mine, I gave it several coats of red oxide, and then applied a matt green in a camoflage pattern that would have been typical for the western front. So, in the end, the tank is a red-and-green camo pattern.

I thought about applying white wash for winter camoflage but felt it would be too much trouble scrubbing it off for summer use. I might simply tear up some old white linen sheets and drape them as best as I can, as did some tank crews. (Allied tank crews did the same thing, from what I've read).

The tank also has a coat of zimmeret, which was discontinued in September 1944. I used NAPA body putty for the zimmeret. I quickly figured out how much to mix and also, the timing in mixing and applying before it set up. It set up very well and stands up well to abuse.

I wish I knew how to uploading photos. I'll email some to you.

cheers... Tom

> I wish I knew how to uploading photos.

It's explained here:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6335&p=53702

Adrian.

pics test.
Looking at the review, it might come out sideways...