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After taking a break from building my Tiger, I'm back working on the tank. The biggest hurdle is to complete the rear deck lowering. At first I was going to build up my own grille support but have now used the remaining original back section. A 1/2" angled steel was welded to the leading edge to help support the weight of the grilles and to replace the edge that was lost when the rear section was cut off. The engine hatch had no support so I welded up a box out of 1/8" x 2" steel that fits inside the opening. Now the 1/8" edge supports the hatch nicely. A small rubber seal will fit into a groove for hatch to rest on. The reason for the 2" box depth is I'm planning to build up the top of a Maybach engine that will fit inside. The entire assembly is removable for access to the rear hull interior.

great to see you back on rich, i followed your build from about 4 years ago,very helpful and informative,regards simon manning.

I have a question linked to lowering the rear deck, as I'm about to attempt this on a 2003 Mid Tiger.

I've seen people mentioning moving all the exhaust etc parts down as well - doesn't this then make them out of line with respect to the mudguards etc ?

How many people moved the exhausts and how many just moved the top exhaust shield mounting points down by 3mm - my planned route ?

Adrian.

Hi Adrian

Having looked at the Bovington Tiger and anything else, the rear plate is not lowered other than to create a rebate on it's forward edge. So everything bolted on to the rear plate stays as it is.

I hope I am not wrong. If so break it to me gently!

Steve

I agree with you. the mounting points all remain the same except that you'll have to lower the topmost shroud mounting points by redrilling the shroud holes a bit lower and remounting the screws appropriately lower. To attempt to lower the entire assembly, even if it were called for in the name of accuracy, is insanity in my opinion..... no one could possibly tell the difference with the naked eye. If any tankers out there think lowering the entire exhaust assembly would be a worthwhile mod, I would like to suggest a pill for that....

Question for Steve Norris. In pictures of your completed rear deck there are 4 countersunk screws on the engine hatch. What are these attached to? Does the rear hatch open? What is the distance from the ledge support to the hull top edge?

Nice solution for those of us who have basic tools and skills. Your efforts are appreciated.

John

Hi John
The 4 csk screws in the engine hatch are to represent the hatch locks, the hatch remains openable.
I do not own the Tiger anymore but i think the distance from the ledge support to the hull top edge was the thickness of the hull top (3mm i think).
Regards
Steve

Thanks Steve,
I just got a copy of the modeler's guide to the tiger tank today and see now that these are just extra detail parts you have added.

You mentioned that an unpredicted bonus with this mod is that the front of the rear deck is held under the rear of the forward deck.

I see the fwd grills rest on top of the deck supports. Is it the engine hatch support that is held under the forward deck.

I saw that you sold your tiger. I'm watching your progress with the panther. Really nice.

Thanks for your help with this.

John

Hi John.
Yes you are correct, The forward edge of the engine hatch support fits under the rear of the fwd part of the hull top. sounds complicated but i think this shows what i mean.





Heres a couple of shots showing some of the mods to the rear deck and packers used to get everything in the right place.







One final shot showing the deck supports required



Regards

Steve

John,
Just realised that the shot of the rear deck support shows a initial set up, i found later that the mount bolts for the forward edge of the air intake grills fouled the deck support, the easy solution was to drill and scollop around these fasteners, this photo shows what i mean.



Regards

Steve

Thanks Steve, excellent solution. I do not have a problem with the rear plate being too thick. It will be a while before I get to this stage but great to have a plan in mind. Those pictures are a great help.

Thanks Steve. Thanks to your help I have lowered my rear deck. Would not have done this without you inspiration.







Thanks for this.

Regards,
John

Just thought I'd add a tail piece to this thread, seeing as Bovington have the engine bay exposed on Tiger 131.

And this shot shows the top edge of the back plate slopes in line with the angle of the plate, rather than horizontal with the engine deck.
Adrian.