[WINTER 23-24] Tiger I #822

[Meter rat]

The smoke tube re-route looks easy enough; the most difficult part is locating tubing that is both supple and the right i.d. and o.d. One of these days...

I'm going to try automotive vacuum lines and fittings from Autozone only $1.99 per ft.

I think our own Mr Bix users air pipe, and fittings for fish tanks, as did I.

[MrChef]

I think our own Mr Bix users air pipe, and fittings for fish tanks, as did I.

Thank you for the suggestion. I will look at those as well. They might be a better diameter and more flexable.

[MrChef]

Time to start working on the turret while I wait on the last few pieces to be delivered.

The Taigen Turret copula has slots that don't match up with the Heng Long turret base. So I used the rotary tool to grind a bit of that off and deburr the inside of the copula ring for a flush fit.



Then needed to trim the turret copula base on the turret. I used our favorite razor saw to make quick work of that and gain a level playing field. Then filed and sanded it.

[MrChef]

Turret Rear 3rd Lug Lifting Hole:

Next, I really debated how far I was going to go with this but figured the set of turret lugs that I sourced John at East Coast Armory had 3 lugs And I am waiting for a couple more pieces before I get down and dirty Sooooo, Lets make the turret bustle or Rommel bin look better.



This pic also perfectly shows what the top turret weld beads/seams look like and what I'll be shooting for. I may need to fashion a new weld bead tool now.

First I drilled from the top into the rear bins lug recess with different sizes of the pin vise-



from the bottom



Then I used a chisel blade razor and needle nose pliers to remove the bits.





and Voila. just need to rebuild the well from the under side and mount the lug. I have an idea for that I will share when I do it.

[MrChef]

Turret Bin Brackets:

A little more jumping around.

I had seen and heard that the brackets molded onto the Heng Long turret bin are not accurate. So I figured what the heck I'm here drilling and cutting holes already...



I first used a chisel razor blade to scrape/cut/pry the brackets off as carefully as possible. I didn't want to damage the surface much and I needed to be careful of the pistol port a little and more careful of the escape hatch since the "glue monkey" did a number on that hatch and it wasn't going to come off without serious drilling/cutting and damaging effort.







These have been leveled and rough sanded. They will go through the wet sanding process and Tamiya surface prep and sanding again. I'll notice them less than the holes I filled on the rear hull panel when I'm done.

[MrChef]

Turret Lifting Lugs-

There are several places you can source these from. I picked John at East Coast Armory because he has quality products, has solid customer support and also offers several other parts I'm interested in and it's nice to one stop shop-



Soooo. First I need to remove the stock points that are ugly and inaccurate. Razor Saw time.



I don't understand why they molded them this way. My first guess with HL is always ease of design/production to save $$$.

Next it's time to file and sand the remaining stud mounts down. I use the turret as reference so I can lean on the turret to try to remain a level surface.You can see the scuffs which I will cover with tape below.



I use blue painters tape to protect the tank a bit, so I can lean on the turret to try to remain a level surface.



I check how the ECA stud looks for reference.



You need to file these mounts down quite a bit. And since I'm free handing it, keeping it level is a bit unnerving.



You can notice that the lug point on the right still needs more filing.

Lots more work and filing to do here.

[Jimster]

East Coast Armory is great for initial/early Tiger parts! Your build is going very well. My hat’s off to you.

[MrChef]

East Coast Armory is great for initial/early Tiger parts! Your build is going very well. My hat’s off to you.

Yes he has a cool selection of finishing parts.

Thank you Jimster, that means a lot. I've done a good amount of debating on just what I wanted to do with this project and what I could handle doing skill and $ wise. I am satisfied where my plan is going and I've also decided that this is Not a model with so many fine details that will sit on a shelf wishing to be wild and free. It's an RC tank that I will run. So it will get bashed and banged up and dirty. I'm also learning and using new techniques as well learning the limitations of the Heng Long Tiger I (Which BTW is definitely convincing me to use at least a Taigen/Torro for another build.)

BIG thanks to John At East Coast Armory! I just got a call from him that my remaining parts are being shipped out and will arrive Sooner than anticipated. A Christmas miracle for sure, hahaha...

[airmancurran1]

Looking Great Chef. Tiger luv baby.

[MrChef]

Looking Great Chef. Tiger luv baby.

Thanks Chris. I'm still pluggin along...