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Ok, so I mentioned briefly about my upcoming recoil plan. Funny thing is, as I just received linear bearings for the barrel/recoil project, and did a quick search on these bearings on this forum. Two things did i learn.
1: My exact plan for recoil has been done before. And it works
2: The fire and smoke aspect (blank firing) is not in line with with forum rules.
So to honour the rules, the blank firing system will not be shown or further discussed in this build.

Some ups and one down

Ups: got some very nice brass parts in the mail from Steve W. Beautiful made parts, well worth the cost and wait

Down: found out the hard way how poor primer cure over locktite. I did know this, but did apparently not clean up properly before applying primer . Happy to catch this at this early stage, but still Primer stripped, cleaned up with Acetone and new coat of primer.
So future builders, be aware.

Now, I need a seriously good advice. Armortek has left out the O-rings on the swing arms on these new kits. They claim that they didn't work all that well, so left them out. I'm not so sure, would think that any kind of gasket to hindre dirt and moisture to enter the brass bushing seems like a good ide. What do you guys think? I have the tools to bore out a groove for the O-rings, so should I take the time and effort to do this now? Its a kind of now or never situation.

Next: I have included two pictures of the track deflector. Does the angle look ok on the picture with the red dot?

Your first track deflector angle photo (not the one with the red dot) should be OK. I did it the same.

viewtopic.php?p=59486#p59486

Regarding the O rings; personally, I would not bother fitting them. But then again I know that my Tiger is living a comfortable life being driven on a clean hard surface. The O rings do not sit in a groove but in a shallow counterbore and are slightly compressed between the side of the hull and the swing arm suspension bar. Have a look here maybe it will make more sense:

viewtopic.php?p=60005#p60005

Vince

Thanks for reply Vince. But are you sure regarding track deflectors? . I think I nicked these photos from Tim B. excellent build blog.
The picture without red dot is original Armortek predrilled position, the one with red dot is maybe to low at rear? Maybe something in between? Its a easy fix to do now


Regarding driving, I dont think it will se mutch driving around in mud, but certenly will see winter (snow) action, so keeping some moisture out(and grease in) seems in order. I REALLY would like to get the hull built now, this is the final decision before assembly

The picture without red dot is original Armortek predrilled position

In that case it's another modification Armortek has made since my Tiger 1. On mine the holes for the track deflector were drilled for a parallel track deflector like on an early or mid variant Tiger 1.

In the link that I sent you can see me checking the angle with some tracks on the idler.

Vince

So, regarding track deflectors I ended up making a small adjustment of the angle. A tiny bit more steep than Armorteks suggestion. I have only seen one picture of a deflector before, and it appears to be a bent piece of flat iron. Not the solid block offered by Armortek. So I did some rework on them, and hopefully not to far off from the real thing. (but I could be wrong )
Question: does these deflectors serve any functional purpose on the model? If not, I think maybe they stand a bit proud of the hull side, and maybe should be trimmed down a millimeter or two.

Had a long think regarding the O rings, and have decided not to implement them. I did look into using oil seals instead, but as the swing arms are not 100% centered in the holes on hull sides, this would not work at all.

It's difficult to see but the shape and the two strengthening ribs are as per Tiger 131.


Adrian.

Hello
With the introduction of the smaller idler (600mm) the track pin return plate was widened and angled. The purpose is to put track pins back in position. Put on the idler and a some track links to see if it is able to put loosening track pins heads back in place. No drawings state this piece as an track deflector.
Ragnar

So good to see you back here, Ragnar!

Working on the wheels again. Not so easy to find time to sneak out to my garage during the holiday, but managed to get the wheels primed.
And are done with the outer rim bolt, nuts and tabs. Won't be missing the tab bending work any soon
Now, I'm going to prime the backside of the wheels oxide red before further assembly. BUT, does anyone know if the wheels on the real Tiger was painted in Dunkelgelb before or after assembly? Where they painted on or off the tank? This is something I would like to know before i proceed

Hi Soren

The question you posed regarding the priming and topcoat of road wheels before or after assembly came up on my thread as well, this is what Alastair Cooke replied:
I have seen an image of a complete Tiger 1 in what appears to be red oxide primer. If you go this route then the inner faces of the inner wheel sets will be left in the primer. I am considering this for F01.
Alastair

I have gone through all the photos in my reference books but have not been able to confirm this so have held off doing the final Dunkelgelb coat and wheel assembly in the hope somebody can confirm what Alastair says.
Regards
Gary

Hi All,
Image of completed Tiger 1 (Fgst.Nr. 250238) in red oxide primer is on page 116 of Germany's Tiger Tanks - D.W. to Tiger 1 (Jentz & Doyle)
Alastair

Well this kind of funny, I got this book for Xmas but have not gotten further than page 111
Anyway, this is a early Tiger so might not hold true for later versions. I have posted the question on a Tiger "forum" on Facebook and there is some quite knowledgeable folks there, so will see what they come up with.

I was eager to get things going, so I went ahead and sprayed them with their basecoat.
Didn't manage to get all assembled before my back, eyes and fingers said enough
Have high hopes to have them finished tomorrow. Not all done, as i need to order som bolts for the hub caps, as I would like them one size smaller than the ones I used on the inner bolt circles.

Last but not least : Happy New year to you all

Not quite finished with the wheels, but somewhat happy so far. A bit anoying to get them so far, and then realise how they actually was put together afterwards I didn't know before today that the inner bolt circles was clamping 3 separate pieces to hold the hub. If i had known this earlier i would have cut a very fine grove to further enhance the visual appearance of the 3 clamps. Dont think I'm able to do this at this stage, but will look into it tomorrow.

Søren,i noticed you primed the torsion bars,i did the same,but they must be treated in some way as the primer scrapes off very easily,but did not come off easy on the ends where i had filed them flush,just wondering if your primer is staying on your bars?

Donald