John's Late Tiger 1

[John Fitzsimons]

Hi all, as I am new to Armortek and 1/6 scale tanks feel free to offer your expert opinion on my build.
I am starting with the turret as it is too cold to work in the garage. I have assembled the basic turret structure a few times now and think this is the best fit I can get. I am ffraid if I try to add additional pressure to the fastners I will strip the threads. Gap around turret roof is now minimal at no more than 1mm at any point.

Couple of questions.
What fastners do you use for the Escape Hatch Hinge (part 424)?
The cupola lid has some machining rings. Should these be removed.

I do not intend to use the loaders hatch or track brackets supplied. I will use the Cupola but add some modifications to the periscopes and hatch lid. Any feedback on the aftermarket loaders hatches available would be apreciated.

I will start on weld lines and some texturing soon. I need to source some Mr Surfacer and Miliput.

I have started gathering upgrade items for the Tiger.
For the turret I have ordered Steve Winstones reworked turret bin.

[Tim Bowman]

Hello John

Your turret looks great! In my opinion, your fit of the top deck is as good as needed and looks perfect judging from your photos. A weld detail around the perimeter, and you won't know any difference. I had to bolt my turret together after yours and Dale's posts regarding fit and mine fits quite well with only a minimal gap. This was without really trying but enough to put my mind to ease and go back to the hull.

In regards to your questions:

I would recommend using something more to scale(something around 4.7mm measured flat-flat on the head)

Yes, the cupola lids were cast and the machining marks can easily be removed with filler and replaced with a nice cast texturing.

Both Mike Stannard and Dave Dibb sell loaders hatches. I have not checked yet but I believe some fitting is required and the recess may need to be slightly enlarged to accommodate the hatch from Dave Dibb. I am not sure about Mike's.

The Driver/Radio hatches on mine are from Mike Stannard and are excellent representations of the real thing. Real 'eye catchers' when they are in the opened position.

You can't go wrong with Steve Winstone and your bin will look superb. All of his parts, Mike's parts and Dave's parts are on every one of my models.

disclaimer: this is only my own, personal opinion

Plastistruct letter sizes I use most are the 2mm and 4mm and some 6mm. I would recommend purchasing at least two of each. They can be found at the bottom of this page link.

http://www.plastruct.com/picat/GLUES_TOOLS_9.pdf

All the best
Tim

[John Fitzsimons]

Thanks Tim,
It took quite a bit of work to get the gap closed. What gap remains will close completely with some coats of paint and some weld detail.
I have ordered a batch of parts from Steve Winstone.
turret bin
Jack bloc
Jack and brackets
Headlight
MG
Starter plate and crank handles.

I was considering the Armorpax hatches on the basis of cost but might hold off for a while and check out your progress. I know I need to order a few other items from Mike anyway. I will also check out some suppliers for bolts. Thanks for the info on plastruct. I will not go into as much detail as
you as my knowledge of the Tiger does not reach that level. Any comments or input along the way would be welcome.

[leesellars]

Hello John

It might be adviseable to make the turret lid removeable due to the electrics

Lee

[John Fitzsimons]

I certainly will make the top removable, probably use magnets. I would prefer something with spring load action. I have the blank firer also.

[Tim Bowman]

Hi again John

One think I have heard is that the black firing unit puts out some serious back pressure. Like you, the Tiger will be my first model with a blank firing unit and as Lee said, easy access will be a must. My Panther's turret deck is held with magnets but I'm curious if anyone knows, will these hold during firing?

Maybe magnets plus the 'spring loaded pin you mention? Just thinking out loud. Tim McCarthy did a nice bonnet style turret top as I think Paul and others have done as well.

looking forward to seeing your progress.

Kind regards
Tim

[John Fitzsimons]

I do remember Tim's hinged turret lid.

Dale Jordan's system is very nice too. I do not have the tools for such a neat job but intend to build in some form of catch at the turret front. I was wondering if the shelf around the inside of the turret wrap contributed to the difficulty in closing the roof gap or was the shelf added later?

A trip to the hardware shop might give me some ideas.

[Paul Morris]

Hi John.

Going back a couple of posts on this thread you mention a supplier of Milliput I get all mine from a firm that has an e bay shop called "Ancestral Dawn" they have a great delivery service and I have not been able to better their prices anywhere.
Hope this helps a little.
Cheers Paul

[John Fitzsimons]

Hi Paul.
Thats really strange. I placed an order with that seller 2 days ago for 5 packs. Hope it will be enough. I have ordered some Mr surfacer also.

Thanks for the advice you gave me by email before I got set up on the Forum. Not going to make much progress for a while as going sking next week and will be away for a month. Lots of time to study instructions for the Tiger.

As you can see there is some discussion as to how to secure the turret roof taking into consideration the presence of the blank firer. Any ideas.

I still have to find out if I need some fore of licence for the firer in this country. I have contacted some gun shops and they are asking for a fire arms certificate. When I approach the police the do'nt know. Most of the time I would prefer to use electronic sound.

[Paul Morris]

Hi John.

Not a problem glad to help funny you picked the same supplier for the Milliput . I have never actually used the blank firer myself,but I would suggest the best way forward is the spring loaded bolt idea that Dale has used on his Tiger...the magnets may be fine but with the bolt method you are sure. I did use the hinged lid idea on Antony's Panzer 111 but I will not be doing it again, just my personal opinion but I think its more hassle than its worth.
Enjoy your ski trip.
Cheers Paul

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

Hi John,

I pressume from your post then you don't require the Drivers hatches so will cancel the order with my casters.

Let me know if you change your mind and I will re-order.

Do you still want the other parts and loaders hatch as if not will cancel these also?

Best regards

Dave

[John Fitzsimons]

No do not cancel. Would like the loaders hatch also. Thanks Dave.

John

[John Fitzsimons]

Hi guys. Have not seen much posting on progress with Tigers. Taking a holiday from building? I'm away from home at present but here are some photos of work started on exhausts before I left.











I hope to have lots of shiney new parts from SteveWinstone and Dave Dibb waiting for me when I get home.

[Adrian Harris]

John, is that surface effect the result of a rotary wire brush or do you have a different technique ?

There's quite a striking difference between the before and after pictures

Adrian.

[Paul Morris]

Hi Fellas.

I was thinking the same thing Adrian, I don't know how john has done it but I really like the look of it well done it looks pitted? possible chemical attack? or hours and hours with a centre pop

Do tell.
Cheers Paul