Revised Tiger Engine Deck Hatch
Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 1:52 am
About five years ago, I had a limited number of revised Tiger engine hatches made in 3mm steel. This was my first attempt at designing a high quality part for the Armortek Tiger and the feedback I got was well received. I recently found the remaining stock stored away in my basement and am making them available. Vince Abbott made an number of engine hatch detail parts years ago, but does not currently offer them as far as I know. Any mention of these parts below implies that you have them or can make your own. Please look at your engine hatch carefully as Armortek could have improved the engine hatch design or it is possible one of my original hatches made it's way to your tank.
All fabrication was done by CNC laser. The overall outside hatch dimensions and two hinge locations were retained as the original Armortek design. Your tank will not require any modification for the hatch to fit the hull roof. Using the information on the bottom of page 37 in the "The Modeler's Guide to the Tiger Tank".
Type 2 is an earlier type and has the rear hatch hook closer to the center. This type is found on the Bovington Tiger. It has mounting holes for eight of Vince’s brass lock details. These are the mounting holes paired around the perimeter. Type 3 has the hatch hook closer to the right side hatch hinge and holes for six of Vince’s lock detail. This type is found on mid to late production Tigers that have the triangular access panel on the rear engine cover. The engine hatch on the Saumur Tiger is a good example.
The revised engine deck access door includes these changes:
1) Rectangular air intake moved forward.
2) Repositioned the outer four mounting holes surrounding the air intake. All six mounting holes drilled (1.778mm) for use with a smaller 2-56 bolt (instead of 3mm). You will have to make a revised vent cover to accommodate the revised opening and mounting positions since the Armortek vent cover will not fit. Brass stock would work well.
3) Removed the cross support under the armored cover leaving a clean opening. This design is more realistic as found on the real Tiger. A ring is supplied that fits into the large opening of the access door. Vince’s armored cover (early or late type) will fit into the top of the ring. You may want to remove the support stub under Vince’s armored cover to really clean up the appearance. Use of the original Armortek armored cover would require a 70 mm recessed hole to be machined. The armored assembly to be secured with epoxy. Vince’s thumb screw would become a non-functioning part.
4) Holes for all outer locking detail. Complements Vince’s small round brass lock detail (with inner square tool detail).
5) Repositioned two grab handles inward.
6) Relocated holes for the hatch stops. This requires modifying Armortek’s stops to allow for an overhang. This stop has the single swing arm that would pivot out and under the hatch to keep it open. I can provide information to help you modify these two parts.
7) Mounting holes for Vince’s hatch hook, located at the rear right of cover. Early type 2 closer to center line, type 3 closer to the right side hinge.
All fabrication was done by CNC laser. The overall outside hatch dimensions and two hinge locations were retained as the original Armortek design. Your tank will not require any modification for the hatch to fit the hull roof. Using the information on the bottom of page 37 in the "The Modeler's Guide to the Tiger Tank".
Type 2 is an earlier type and has the rear hatch hook closer to the center. This type is found on the Bovington Tiger. It has mounting holes for eight of Vince’s brass lock details. These are the mounting holes paired around the perimeter. Type 3 has the hatch hook closer to the right side hatch hinge and holes for six of Vince’s lock detail. This type is found on mid to late production Tigers that have the triangular access panel on the rear engine cover. The engine hatch on the Saumur Tiger is a good example.
The revised engine deck access door includes these changes:
1) Rectangular air intake moved forward.
2) Repositioned the outer four mounting holes surrounding the air intake. All six mounting holes drilled (1.778mm) for use with a smaller 2-56 bolt (instead of 3mm). You will have to make a revised vent cover to accommodate the revised opening and mounting positions since the Armortek vent cover will not fit. Brass stock would work well.
3) Removed the cross support under the armored cover leaving a clean opening. This design is more realistic as found on the real Tiger. A ring is supplied that fits into the large opening of the access door. Vince’s armored cover (early or late type) will fit into the top of the ring. You may want to remove the support stub under Vince’s armored cover to really clean up the appearance. Use of the original Armortek armored cover would require a 70 mm recessed hole to be machined. The armored assembly to be secured with epoxy. Vince’s thumb screw would become a non-functioning part.
4) Holes for all outer locking detail. Complements Vince’s small round brass lock detail (with inner square tool detail).
5) Repositioned two grab handles inward.
6) Relocated holes for the hatch stops. This requires modifying Armortek’s stops to allow for an overhang. This stop has the single swing arm that would pivot out and under the hatch to keep it open. I can provide information to help you modify these two parts.
7) Mounting holes for Vince’s hatch hook, located at the rear right of cover. Early type 2 closer to center line, type 3 closer to the right side hinge.