King Tiger Rear Hatch

steve winstone · Post by **steve winstone** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:04 pm

Hi All
I am starting a new posting for the hatch, as there are a few differences between the early one I made and this one. This one has been fitted to the Armotek Hatch. The main differences between the two are the Bolt Carriers, Larger Locking Bolts and I have also incorporated a Steel Base Plate to give the Hatch a bit more debth. I have added a Steel Protective Cover with a lip, but as this part is very thin I am not able to get it cast, so I will hand make them.
See photos below, they are self explanatory. The last photo is of parts which will go for casting. I have had a few enquiries and so I will be getting a small batch made.

Happy Building

Steve

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Per Sonnervik · Post by **Per Sonnervik** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:06 pm

Nice improvements Steve, looks very good, youÂ´re fast becomming a Tiger II expert

All the best,

Per

simon_manning · Post by **simon_manning** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:43 pm

i will place an order with you when your ready,keep the king tiger parts coming.

regards simon manning.

Robert E Morey · Post by **Robert E Morey** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:15 pm

Steve,
Beautiful work on the KT hatch. Can you or someone familiar with the KT inform me as to what the sheet metal tray does? It looks like a dinner tray? It seems like instead of helping you escape - the sheet metal pan would inhibit you from escaping from the turret?

Thanks,
Bob

steve winstone · Post by **steve winstone** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 9:42 am

Hi Per, Thank you for your comments, the improvements are down to your friend Rob Veenendaal, I bought his DVD on the Tiger 1 & 2 and the photos are fantastic for detail, would highly recomend the DVD, as for becoming a KT expert, I think I should stick to live steam.

Hi Simon, The castings should be in about 2/3 weeks, and will certainly put you on the list.

Hi Robert, I think the shield is for 2 things, 1 to protect the Tankers when its up, to stop them catching or banging on the workings, and the other reason I was told is to protect from snipers when the hatch was down, they could put the shield up. Although I could not find any way of locking the shield up so I am a little sceptical about this one, and it would definately not stop a bullet, if anyone would know about this it would be Per.

Regards all
Steve

Dale jordan · Post by **Dale jordan** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 8:09 pm

In my Jentz @ Doyle Tiger II , book they call it a Sheet metal slide. Maybe it was to make it easyer for the crew to quickly silde in and out when down ... Plus as Steve as mention to stop the crew catching or hooking up on the working parts when in the up postion ..PS. Steve do you have a price for the parts .. Dale

Tim Bowman · Post by **Tim Bowman** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 4:36 am

Amazing work as always Steve!

Was there a mechanism of some kind inside the turret that the shield covered to protect the crew during entry and exit?

Beautiful parts.

regards
Tim

steve winstone · Post by **steve winstone** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:55 pm

Hi all,
I have just rerceived the castings for the hatch, and have fitted one set to make sure they all fitted. Cost will be Â£65.00 complete, but I must have your hatch in exchange. If interested please email me your order. Attached photo of finished hatch with castings
Steve

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Fredrik Jorgensen · Post by **Fredrik Jorgensen** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:37 pm

Ordered one Steve you have mail

Freddie

Luca Fossa · Post by **Luca Fossa** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:29 am

steve winstone wrote:Hi Per, Thank you for your comments, the improvements are down to your friend Rob Veenendaal, I bought his DVD on the Tiger 1 & 2 and the photos are fantastic for detail, would highly recomend the DVD, as for becoming a KT expert, I think I should stick to live steam.

Hi all, sorry if i am out of topic but i would to know where is possible to buy this DVD

Thanks

Luca

steve winstone · Post by **steve winstone** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 9:28 am

hi luca
it can be found at www.panzerbasics.com
steve

Daniel Perry · Post by **Daniel Perry** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:37 am

Recieved Steve's rear hatch today. Worth the wait and looks better in real life than what's pictured. A joy to behold.

Paul Morris · Post by **Paul Morris** » Tue May 19, 2009 8:54 pm

Hi Steve.
Great job on the hatch a real credit to you

. Regarding the "sheet metal slide" on page 54 of the Jentz Doyle book it says..." A sheet metal shield protected the ammunition from fragments spalling off the inside of the turret wall when hit by A.P. projectiles" this was on the sides of the turret of course, but i am wondering if the sheet metal slide was a continuation of this protection? especially where positioned on the rear hatch...imagine a piece of steel flying off the inside of the hatch from a hit and hitting the firing end of an 88 shell inside the turret

.
What does anyone else think...solved? or not?
Either way it looks good, well done again.
Sending you a mail now.
Cheers Paul

Robert E Morey · Post by **Robert E Morey** » Thu May 21, 2009 4:44 am

Hmmm Paul, an interesting thought on the sheet metal pan. I have to believe that any penetration of the turret armor would not be slowed down by a sheet metal pan. Perhaps if the pan in real life was 4 to 6mm thick then I think it could be a splinter shield of sorts. Perhaps the best use was protecting the crew till the last minute during an emergency bailout from snipers? If a round penetrates the armor it is usually followed by an explosive charge - which isn't going to be slowed down by much of anything. Even solid shot will ricochet around inside the turret once it has penetrated the main armor.

Another thought it is a slide to help the crew exit without snagging clothes etc on the latches and lock mechanisms. Now that makes some since <at least to me>.

Has anyone seen this shield up close and can explain how thick it is? That would give an indication of its ability to protect.

Bob

Sven Strobbe · Post by **Sven Strobbe** » Thu May 21, 2009 8:03 am

Guys

I think Rob and Per have seen the plate...
Rob has made pictures from the inside of the King Tiger & Tiger I

http://www.pazerbasics.com

Robert i have to agree with you about its use, sliding in and out without sticking to all the pieces that are on the door.
And perhaps also while getting ammunition in the turret...

Greetings from Stuttgart on the way home

Sven