Building a Mid-Production Normandy Tiger 1

[SovereignZuul]

Glad to see you back at work, these projects always take much longer than we anticipate, eh? Ha, keep it up bud!

[tanks_for_the_memory]

Re-visiting the track hangers on the turret sides

The turret track hangers back in place and awaiting weld beads.jpg (33.88 KiB) Viewed 4268 times

Way, way above I had my first go at putting the track hangers on the turret sides. It was only partially successful...

Part of the problem was actually getting them to stay put. Because (as I noted just above) the turret side armour on the HL Tiger is moulded too thin, there is very little surface area to attach the upper mounts.

I was also using my trusty 'Repair Extreme' epoxy glue, but as I have found in other areas, where strength is needed and there is little surface area, this simply doesn't cut the mustard. So you need something stronger - like Cyano glue. However, the problem with Cyano is that it usually has very little drying time - and it also tends to like nice, smooth surfaces with no gaps. So nothing like my bumpy turret weld beads then...

Enter (stage left) my saviour: Deluxe Material's Cyano Glue Gel.

This glue from Deluxe Materials - Roket Cyano Glue Gel - really is fantastic stuff - it does exactly what it says on the box!.jpg (32.82 KiB) Viewed 4268 times

This, as the packet tells you, has a 10 second bonding time (so enough time for minor adjustments) and, because it is non-runny, fills gaps. Ideal!

First I decided to repair my upper track hangers, some of which had come apart since they came off over the past few months whilst I laboured with my other turret mods. Thin wire keeps them together and, with a little care, you can put a small blob of glue at each end to keep this in place. Beware, however, because this glue really is strong and if you're not careful, you will end up making them non-movable. Only one of mine failed this test, but I can live with that.

Once back together I decided to prime them, if only to get at the hard-to-reach underside which will be largely hidden once they are in place. Once again I used a rattle can of automotive primer - much cheaper than specialist aerosol paint.

The spare track hangers for the turret ready for priming.jpg (31.65 KiB) Viewed 4268 times

The detail really is exquisite - right down to the casting numbers.jpg (27.08 KiB) Viewed 4268 times

Now primed a ready to mount for a second time....jpg (26.25 KiB) Viewed 4268 times

As you can see, once painted these really do look the part, especially once given a coat of paint.

I dealt with the origin of these track hangers in my earlier post. They came from Tankzone and had no manufacturer's details. Probably long-gone by now, but to my eye they are as good as Aber (and they were much cheaper!)

Positioning them correctly is not easy. They have to be staggered slightly so that the top brackets are ahead of the lower brackets on the port side and behind them on the starboard side. This makes more sense once the tracks themselves are in place and should become clearer in my next post.

To help the glue to grip on a firm surface, for the upper hangers I actually sanded back the Magic Sculp slightly on top of the turret sides so that some of the bare plastic was exposed before gluing them in place. So far so good.

For now here are some more pictures of the brackets in situ. Next I have to add small weld beads around the upper brackets.

So far the Roket Cyano Gel Glue is keeping them firmly in place....jpg (38.68 KiB) Viewed 4268 times

They are a distinctive part of the look of the turret on mid to late pattern Tigers.jpg (36.29 KiB) Viewed 4268 times

The two track hangers on the starboard turret side.jpg (33.15 KiB) Viewed 4268 times

[tanks_for_the_memory]

The turret fan and gun travel lock retaining bolts

The armoured turret fan and gun travel lock retaining bolts.jpg (22.48 KiB) Viewed 4226 times

Apart from the side escape hatch and the stowage bin, there are only two more details to add to the turret: the repositioned armoured fan and the gun travel lock retaining bolts.

The armoured fan

As already discussed above, I used the metal Asiatam / Taigen replacement because it has the correct open screw holes. However, there is a fairly rudimentary cross of brass to replicate four supports beneath the armoured cover - when there should actually be six.

The six tabs for fixing the waterproof cover are also missing.

Finally a weld bead needs to added around the base. Mine was done ages ago with Milliput and I like the think I would do a better job with Magic Sculp these days. here are some pictures...

The underside of the armoured turret fan - original cross piece in brass on left, new plastic supports on right.jpg (27.35 KiB) Viewed 4226 times

The gun travel lock bolts

The eight counter-sunk bolts for the gun travel lock are moulded into the turret roof. The definition isn't bad, but mine had taken quite a battering - so I simply drilled them out and inserted plastic rod, positioned a little below the turret roof line, to give a better appearance. Again here's how it happened...

Drilling out the holes for the gun travel lock retaining bolts.jpg (94.58 KiB) Viewed 4226 times

As always it's a good idea to use a smaller drill bit first.jpg (20.51 KiB) Viewed 4226 times

The holes are now the correct size to accept some plastic sprue.jpg (19.49 KiB) Viewed 4226 times

The sprue was then sunk beneath the level of the turret roof.jpg (19.35 KiB) Viewed 4226 times

Not my neatest work - but this is how the plastic rod bolts are held in place beneath the turret roof.jpg (26.19 KiB) Viewed 4226 times

And here they are in place once the turret roof had received a coat of primer - turret fan in the background.jpg (24.45 KiB) Viewed 4226 times

[tanks_for_the_memory]

I promised to show a few more views of the turret with the spare track links (temporarily) installed.

The turret is finally starting to come together!.jpg (36.18 KiB) Viewed 4212 times

These are Kenny Kong links. I decided to break up a set that I found on ebay a while back. They aren't the best working tracks because the pins are prone to slip out. This is because the pins go all the way through - just like the real thing. However, this is also where they gain over all other types currently available (including the otherwise excellent Impact tracks, which I have fitted to the running gear) for spare track links. The pins are almost correct to scale and, like the original Tigers, can be displayed with the pins in place and even protruding above the links.

Spare track links in place on the port side of the turret.jpg (33.83 KiB) Viewed 4212 times

Another view of spare track links in place.jpg (32.73 KiB) Viewed 4212 times

The turret viewed from the other side.jpg (36.29 KiB) Viewed 4212 times

Spare track links in place on the starboard side of the turret.jpg (28.58 KiB) Viewed 4212 times

I have also finally managed to install my Hachette cupola and Tamiya loader's hatch (although this is still detachable). The Hachette cupola is very slightly too small for the aperture left in the HL turret, so a little filling was needed. Once again Magic Sculp came to the rescue...

The cupola bedded in with the help of a little Magic Sculp.jpg (30.09 KiB) Viewed 4212 times

The Tamiya loader's hatch with photo-etch in place.jpg (28.66 KiB) Viewed 4212 times

[tanks_for_the_memory]

Those who have read one of my other posts (viewtopic.php?f=10&t=11649) will see that my modelling time has been rather taken up of late by supervising my son's own endeavours...

We all went to Tankfest at Bovington today (a long drive even from London) where I was able to see my other beloved Tiger:

The Bovington Tiger looking suitably battle-weary at Tankfest 28 June 2015.jpg (31.83 KiB) Viewed 4148 times

The way in which the exhaust shrouds have discoloured is very interesting. This tank was primed and repainted after restoration a few years ago, so what you see is the natural result of infrequent (but regular) running. Obviously many Tigers never got to see this sort of service life before being knocked out, but I believe it is a good indication of how many serving German tanks painted in dunkelgelb would have looked...

Beautifully restored Pak 43 88mm anti-tank gun at Tankfest 2015.jpg (37.99 KiB) Viewed 4148 times

There were some other nice surprises, including this Pak 43 88mm anti-tank gun parked next to the Tiger. It's always impressive to see the same gun outside the Tiger and mounted for a ground role.

Alas I didn't get get a shot of another treat - a fully restored 38t! It looked immaculate and although there was some engine trouble it managed to limp around one circuit of the arena.

However, I promise that more work on my Normandy Tiger will be coming soon. Meanwhile here are a few more shots of my most recent work on the turret.

The turret loader's hatch with all that lovely (but bloody fiddly) photo etch....jpg (26.24 KiB) Viewed 4148 times

Another view of the loader's hatch.jpg (28.77 KiB) Viewed 4148 times

All of the metal hatch furniture came from the Build Your Own Tiger set, although Aber also provide a similar photo etch fret (and I believe the Voyager set also includes everything). The rather odd-shaped hatch lock was, without a doubt, the most complex piece of photo etch I have ever had to make. It comes flat-packed and putting it together is a little like origami! It was designed to allow the hatch to be latched completely shut - or slightly ajar (to allow air to flow in and out of the turret).

To make myself feel I was making some progress I gave the turret a coat of red primer - carefully masking the zimmerit.jpg (29.92 KiB) Viewed 4148 times

Well I think it looks better - and I certainly feel better!.jpg (23.97 KiB) Viewed 4148 times

The loader's hatch after quite a lot of work - transplanting the Tamiya one, adding phot etch, etc.jpg (25.64 KiB) Viewed 4148 times

Still a little shiny - but it's great to see the back of the grey plastic and the Magic Sculp weld lines are looking more subtle.jpg (28.5 KiB) Viewed 4148 times

Another shot taken from above shows the much better shape of the Tamiya loader's hatch.jpg (21.07 KiB) Viewed 4148 times

Note that there are no weld beads around the splash guard - this was bolted on from underneath.

[tanks_for_the_memory]

Thanks so much Kaiser.

However, I must challenge the use of the word 'seamless'.

Your Tiger build moves like a lightning bolt compared to mine - and anyone who cares to notice the dates of my posts will see that this project is running at the speed of a glacier...with many wrong turnings along the way!

Still we're getting there...

[jarndice]

You think your progress is glacial!
What about all us hangers on waiting for your next move so that we can make ours? Whoops I shouldn't have told you that. Was it 18 months ago when I thought you (us) had finished only for us all having to start again,? I hope you are feeling guilty, You have no idea of the excuses I keep having to make up for my delayed Tiger
Fortunately in common with every other member of the Forum I am building a number of other Tanks whilst waiting for you to help me finish "813"
I am consoled with the knowledge that I will at least have something to look forward to when I retire
Seriously I am inspired by your devotion to all the detail which while I have no intention of emulating it there is a lot that comes in handy in the broader context of modelling shaun

[DavidByrden]

...Pak 43 88mm anti-tank gun parked next to the Tiger. It's always impressive to see the same gun outside the Tiger and mounted for a ground role.

I don't think there is any similarity between the PaK 43 and the KwK 36, other than that they both had a calibre of 88mm. And in some cases, the same muzzle brake.
If you can see any other similarity, please let me know.

David

[tanks_for_the_memory]

Yes David, I meant 'same calibre'!

[HERMAN BIX]

My biggest fear Mr Tanks is......................what the hell will we do once you have completed it HMMmmmmm ??

I hope you have taken the time to get your next project in order & plans in place to carry on such great work - yes ?
Its not just about you ya know ! we have needs

Its a huge credit to you for guiding your lads along an equally talented path, so you just do your thing mate, its fine by us