Had the urge to make another project I had planned a couple years ago. The Kubelwagen Cold Weather Start for tanks. There is very little information on this piece of equipment so I designed it from one photograph and a 1-35 scale model. Not the best way to do it, but that's all I had. If anyone has pictures or information on this please let me know as I would like to improve it before making final casting molds.
I only have information on two types of drive heads for this, there are others as the only picture I have shows a different type, but the vehicle it is starting and the drive head are missing from the picture.
The two I have made, one is for the Tiger 1 Series and the other is for the Tiger 2, and Panther Series. If anyone has information on any other drive heads for other tanks and vehicles I will make them provided I can get details and pictures. I also could not find out what the connector at the end of the drive shaft looks like, can anyone help on this. They may be the same as the regular start crank, but I am not sure. If I can find out I will include them in the detail.
Planned delivery date September 2010.
I am selling three sets of these now at the pre-production prices list below. Pre-production price guaranteed with a deposit of $50.00 paid by August 1, 2010. After August 1 prices will increase by $25.00 per set or more depending on any improvements I can make before going into production.
These set are only offered as kits, I cannot justify the time to offer them assembled.
Set 1. Gent032A KW Cold Start Complete Set with both drive heads for Tiger 1, Tiger 2 and Panther $150.00
Set 2. Gent032B KW Cold Start Set with drive head for Tiger 1 $125.00
Set 3. Gent032C KW Cold Start Set with drive head for Tiger 2 and Panther $125.00
Pictures of master and sub-master parts.
General view of cold weather start with Tiger 1 drive head.
Gear housing fitted to Kubelwagen. This should fit all models of the KW.
Note I had to place two washers between the main housing and the mounting post. This was to avoid doing any more modification to my KW by removing the molded in plate in the center of the rear.
Universal joints on the drive rod work both ways.
Main gear housing from the front.
Engaging the drive gear.
Tiger 1 drive head.
Tiger 2 and Panther drive head.
Starting a tank
Gear housing white metal parts are hollow to reduce weight.
Note that I do not plan to make the starter plates, however I am including the starter plate posts as these are not normally with tank kits. It is possible that those of you that have already fitted the starter plate posts, they may not line up with the drive heads. A simple modification will correct it and you will have spare posts to work with.
Pictures of what comes with each set. Fitting nuts, bolts and spacers not shown in pictures, but are included in each set. All you need is glue, paint and a few hours to prep parts and assemble.
Set 1 Tigers and Panthers
Set 2 Tiger 1
Set 3 Tiger 2 and Panthers
E-mail orders.
Regards
Mike