Hi

[jarndice]

What are spare aerial holders?

The Tiger 1 had one spare radio aerial tube mounted on the right side edge of the Tank body at the engine end,
All views are from the drivers seat,
Tamiya got it right BUT Heng Long, Taigen and Torro have all duplicated it and fitted a mirror image of the spare aerial holder on the left rear flank,
Easy to remove and to someone like me when I see a single aerial holder it is a sign of someone who has done their research

[Cshaffer]

Ok thank you for the information that is very good to know. I was a able to get a couple working and drive some around a bit they are pretty fun wife was not to happy about me shooting the walls lol

[EAO]

Welcome Cshaffer,

I'd call that "hitting the jackpot"! As 43rdRR noted, that is an unusual start into this marvelous hobby! At least you'll be kept busy...for a very long, long time! At least you also found this Forum! These guys will get you sorted out in short order, they're the best! Enjoy yourself and don't mind the Wife...too much!

Cheers,
Eric.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

"I am close to the University of Illinois Champaign." That's about two to three hours away for me. Not too bad! Are any of you Illinoisey types closer?

[Cshaffer]

I hope there are some Illinois people

[43rdRecceReg]

The Tiger between Tiger '33' and the Pz IV with paint-pox, is either a mid-production, or late-production example. Without being able to see the roadwheels, it's hard to decide which. However, what is curious about this model is that the top edge of the front armour plate appears sloped at the r/h and l/h extremities, as it should be (Jarndice has a thing about the aerials, for me, the front armour plate is a bugbear - . On Taigen and HL models, the top edge is, incorrectly, un-sloped at the edges. So far as I'm aware, Only Tamiya and Trumpeter/Hobbyboss models include the sloped edge. Thus, this could be from a Trumpeter kit- a heavily modified Tamiya full-option kit (Tamiya only produces the early-production iteration), or possibly a Taigen/HL type but with the plate modified to real-world standards.
Looks like the former owner knew his s**t from Shinola! (In the UK, that's: knew his 'a**e from his elbow'!).
Our appetite for photos is practically unlimited here, and could be assuaged with detailed pics of all the models

[Cshaffer]

Thank you for the information it’s really helpful. As for uploading pictures what type of pictures should I include when I upload them? I assume one of each side but any others besides that? And should I use this thread to add them or should I post in the general questions area? I unloaded the last bit of the collection at my house and now I need to start going through them. I was told I am only able to keep a couple of them. Don’t want to make the wife to upset lol I am curious on everyone’s thoughts on these.

[Jarlath]

If you are unsure as to the brand of tank or how to open them. Make sure you do not force parts apart. (example, turrets come off the hull of Tamiya tanks easily, but not those from Taigen/Heng Long, etc...)
An image of the underside and the suspension (especially near the hull) can be a good initial indicator of the tank brand.

[Cshaffer]

I am being carful when trying to take some apart to look at. But most of the I haven’t figured out how to and am not going to try till I know how I don’t want to damage anything in these so when I upload pictures I’ll ask how to remove it with damaging if I’m not sure

[Jarlath]

I am being carful when trying to take some apart to look at. But most of the I haven’t figured out how to and am not going to try till I know how I don’t want to damage anything in these so when I upload pictures I’ll ask how to remove it with damaging if I’m not sure

A simple check is as follows.
If the bottoms have a removable battery box as shown blow, odds are the upper hull is held together by screws (Usually 5 or 7).