Late Tiger 1 chop shop

[Woz]

They use to find short people to do this job let's face it 6ft it would be near impossible however I did see footage of a chap on the 131 tiger with his head out the hatch on the run so he must of been on the sponson or standing side on with the driver

So the pick shows a recovery of a tiger 1 at the rear is being towed so it looks like it is not impossible It is moving so someone is driving . If you can see his shoulders are facing the hatch .

The pic of the Tiger being towed, is it actually moving? or could the crew be waiting while the other tank gets hooked up.

The crew don't look like the tank is moving and they aren't in a very safe position if one of the tow cables fails.

[HERMAN BIX]

Also, the line of sight of the front vision block in relation to the hatch makes me believe a man would almost have to be sitting on the left sponson to appear out of the hatch in a straight line to the tank centre line, but this would surely put him off-set to the steering & controls let alone the forward vision block/visor ??
I'm sure there is an explaination..............
Sitting in tank driving = below the deck/hatch line not a hunchback.
Sitting in tank with shoulders exposed= 'driving' but above deck/hatch line not a giraffe.
Anyone ??
Arrgh, i need a refill

[HERMAN BIX]

Ah, Mr Bix..........back again ?
"That enough ice Sir" ?
"yes, yes it is, thanks.
So what brings you here again so soon ?

Well......................................................................................

[tanks_for_the_memory]

It seems to be settled that the Tiger 1 could not be driven with the driver looking out of the hatch - however, what you see is another crew member sitting on the side sponson (or standing behind the driver) helping to guide the driver. This was quite common.

Excuse me, have you ever BEEN in a Tiger? There is no question of standing, or sitting on a sponson, and looking like that. I think it's the driver.

David

David, keep your hair on mate!

No, I have never been in a Tiger - and we know you have - so we welcome your input. If the ammo rack next to the driver is empty and open couldn't you perch somewhere? It must at least be possible to stand behind the driver...

We know there are several photos of Tigers on the move with someone poking his head out of the driver's hatch. So the real question (which we would love you to answer if you can) is how could the driver steer and operate the gears if he is in that position?

For my part I would love to hear that this was/is possible...

[DavidByrden]

If the ammo rack next to the driver is empty and open couldn't you perch somewhere? It must at least be possible to stand behind the driver...

Here's a cutaway profile, looking toward the rear.



The ammunition case is included in the diagram. As you can see, whether you stand (not much room) or sit in the sponson, a lot more than your head should appear above the roof.

David

[tanks_for_the_memory]

David, as always your illustrations are clear and helpful.

I think this shows that, as discussed, the driver could not operate the tank whilst sticking his head clear of the hatch.

It's also worth noting that in the image above of the the two Tigers the day after the Villers-Bocage action the crew in the Tiger being towed are likely to be on board the one in front. So that might explain why an extra crewman is perched behind / beside the driver.

Anyway, we seem to have hijacked this blog. Sorry Kaiser!

[DavidByrden]

They were slightly moved back, to be centered on the turret protector ring...which I don't think you have on your model?

http://tiger1.info/EN/Turret-ring-protector.html

David

[jackalope]

Wow man with this level of work will you be relocating the turret to its proper location? If so how will you be doing it? It's the whole reason I got the Hobby Boss Tiger model kit. Well that and to have a correct turret too. Do you plan to fix the turret also? You're doing a heck of a good job with your Tiger, given me some ideas for mine! Most outstanding work!

[jeman]

Looks fantastic mate ! Great stuff Lot of work going into that Tiger, but boy it's going to be stunning

[jarndice]

Kiaser, I use a length of 13cm X 3mm brass tube, a piece of plastic tube offcut for the cap, and the "U" shape tow cable clamps for my Tiger 1 spare Aeriel tubes.
The Cable Clamps need opening out with a "Round Drapers File to get the brass tube to fit"
But as your lovely bit of work proves it really improves the look over the moulded on fixture, as everyone says your attention to detail does you great credit shaun