Sov's Tiger Build

This section is to 'show and tell' about any customizing or re-modeling you have done (or are doing) to a Heng Long tank.
Forum rules
This section is for posting a build log of your Heng Long tank.
Questions relating to issues you are having with your tank(s) should be posted in the General Questions forum here: viewforum.php?f=14
User avatar
SovereignZuul
Corporal
Posts: 452
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 11:50 pm
Location: Connecticut, USA

Re: Sov's Tiger Build

Post by SovereignZuul »

Been a while since I got to work on this again. World of Tanks clan wars and tournaments are using a lot of my time!

Here I did some cupola modifications.

Added periscopes.
#1 Rain guard retainers.
#2 Little white piece behind the machine gun ring. Not sure what it is but I believe it's used to hold the hatch open with a small gap? Noticed it on a picture of a real cupola.
#3 Again, not sure what these are for but saw them on another picture of a real Tiger cupola. The thin metal wires in front of the periscope.


Image


Made some gun cleaning rods.
Used:
Brass tube 2.4mm
Threaded rod 1.6mm
Plastic rod 1.7mm with a metal rod inside, found at hobby shop.
Roughed up the smooth texture of the plastic rod to make it appear more like it has wood grain.


Image
User avatar
ska2d2
Private
Posts: 81
Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:04 pm
Location: Leeds W Yorkshire

Re: Sov's Tiger Build

Post by ska2d2 »

If only my weekly shopping list was half as good as yours! ;D
Superb detailing! I particularly like the 'nuts and bolts' on the exhausts! Where do you get them? ??? There is nothing like the real thing! :thumbup:
User avatar
SovereignZuul
Corporal
Posts: 452
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 11:50 pm
Location: Connecticut, USA

Re: Sov's Tiger Build

Post by SovereignZuul »

Sak2d2,

This site has been very helpful in finding good small nuts and bolts. Very cheap shipping for me, fast and good customer service! I do recommend it!

http://www.scalehardware.com/

:)
User avatar
SovereignZuul
Corporal
Posts: 452
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 11:50 pm
Location: Connecticut, USA

Re: Sov's Tiger Build

Post by SovereignZuul »

More work on upper hull. Jack mount, cleaner rod/cable mount, engine grates, front vent and headlight cable tubes.

Image
Image

I bought 12 links of the Impact Tiger track for the front mounted spare track section. Used a Gun blue on the tracks as well!

For anyone attempting to blue the tracks please be careful, the solution is an acid and toxic! Use safety gear and be safe!

Before bluing.

Image

After bluing!

Image

This pic came out a little dark.
Image



I'm thrilled with the result of the bluing! Couldn't ask for a better finish. I don't even think I'll weather them, but let the actual driving do the work!


.
User avatar
maxmekker
Warrant Officer 1st Class
Posts: 1689
Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:47 am
Location: Norway

Re: Sov's Tiger Build

Post by maxmekker »

super work and build tread m8
Drammen Rock City
User avatar
ska2d2
Private
Posts: 81
Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:04 pm
Location: Leeds W Yorkshire

Re: Sov's Tiger Build

Post by ska2d2 »

Any chance you could explain the 'bluing' process in some more detail? I've never come across it before! :eh: :thumbup:
User avatar
SovereignZuul
Corporal
Posts: 452
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 11:50 pm
Location: Connecticut, USA

Re: Sov's Tiger Build

Post by SovereignZuul »

Sure man. The blue is a firearms related product. It's a common way of finishing the metal surface of guns. The blue is a chemical acidic liquid that rusts the surface of a gun in a helpful way. There are at least three kids of acid in the compound mixture. Any ferrous metals can be blued except for aluminum and stainless steel, perhaps more but I do not know. You get the idea, that any metal that easily rusts can be blued.

On raw metal the bluing will literally, before your eyes almost instantly rust the surface of the metal it contacts with. The rust is black and hard, not typical soft brown flakes. It's not how you think of ordinary rust and actually can be helpful in protecting the metal.


Here is the product I chose. Birchwood Casey Super Blue


That little 3 oz would be enough for a small firearm like a handgun, or some touch up. For the tracks I used every drop! There is a lot of surface area for a set of tracks! You might want to get a little extra if planning to do this so you don't run out in the middle of doing it.

Another warning, the blue is very, very dangerous. You must wear gloves when working with it, like rubber surgical gloves and definitely wear eye protection! The acid can stain, or hurt your skin after exposure, can cause blindness in eyes and can be fatal if even a small amount is ingested!

The process follows...

1. Take your item to be blued and thoroughly wash it with soapy water. Remove any dust, grease, fingerprints, or anything else that could interfere with the bluing. Do this with clean hands so you do not transfer anything to the item while handling it.
2. Rinse the item with water and make sure all soap and residue is removed!
3. Set up your work area. I used my very large kitchen sink, stainless steel so it wouldn't get damaged by the blue. Put on safety gear before opening the blue! Using a bowl, dish or other container pour a small amount of blue in it and place the container in the sink. I used a large glass bowl big enough to fit the track in. I also cleaned an old toothbrush with soap for the project. Also, put an old rag, or paper towels down for the tracks to dry on once the bluing is done.
4. Once set-up I then used the toothbrush and dipped the brush in the liquid blue and rubbed the brush's bristles onto the surface I was bluing. Don't worry about water on the tracks, it had no bad effect on the process. The blue liquid is very thin like water and should flow into all the cracks but be sure to get every little inch of the track covered in blue. You should see the track changing color rapidly to know the process is working. Keep on getting the blue on the track where it needs it and go all over. You don't need to rub hard, just make sure you get every area you can.
5. It shouldn't take more than 10-15 minutes per track, that might be pushing it! Don't make multiple passes unless you need to get a spot you missed as you can even rub off the nice new surface you've given the metal. Once the entire track is done, or you need to stop for some reason, wash off the track with cold water immediately! I was actually rinsing mine, and then submerging it and shaking it under the water to make sure every bit of the blue was gone. Rinse multiple times! Once you are certain it is rinsed well take the track, shake off excess water if you like and place it on the rag/towel to dry. It might take awhile to fully dry. If handled you might rub off some the the finish onto your hands so be patient.
6. When dry, inspect, and enjoy your new tracks! Paint, weather, or do with as you like now!





Other tankers than have done this too!

http://www.rctankhq.com/project1.htm
http://www.rctankregiment.com/rctankfor ... hp?p=25565


.
User avatar
SovereignZuul
Corporal
Posts: 452
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 11:50 pm
Location: Connecticut, USA

Re: Sov's Tiger Build

Post by SovereignZuul »

I keep slacking off, should spend more time on this project.

Just did a little bit. Dug out the weld gaps and did some weld lines with milliput. My first time using milliput, I really like it. Sorry I can't get a better zoomed pic, my camera won't let me, goes all blurry.

Image

Preview of my next rc project once the Tiger is done. I've sworn off building two at once, Tiger comes first! Tiger lower hull in pic to scale this.

Image
Applelover786
Private
Posts: 97
Joined: Sat Mar 08, 2014 3:51 pm

Re: Sov's Tiger Build

Post by Applelover786 »

Where did u get your parts from
User avatar
SovereignZuul
Corporal
Posts: 452
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 11:50 pm
Location: Connecticut, USA

Re: Sov's Tiger Build

Post by SovereignZuul »

Most are from Welsh Dragon, which I adore, great service, prices and speedy delivery.

Some local hobby shop stuff. Some eBay, and a few others.

On a side note I do have a lot more parts and some progress. Story is I've just finished a lengthy move and I'm in a new home this week. Once I get settled and unpack I'll have more updates for the forums with my Tiger.
Post Reply

Return to “Heng Long Builds”