Newbie's attempt at an initial Tiger

[kernewek]

Meanwhile, back in English and thanks a lot guys for your positive comments. I have no idea why some can see the pics and others can't, perhaps it's a glitch with imgur?? Any suggestions??

As Anton surmised this project is a little farther along than the pics suggest, but I thought it a good idea to chart the transformation, and difficulties I encountered. Once I'd chopped the lower hull, removed most of the tools on the deck, and made room for a better ball-mount MG and vison port, the turret seemed the next area requiring attention. Instead of trying to mod the original item I sourced an early model Taigen replacement with recoil and alloy barrel of the correct length! The difference in quality between certain HL and Taigen components is well known, and this was clear with the replacement turret: better detailing, nicer finish, and the cherry on the proverbial gateau: the rear storage box could be painlessly unscrewed without resorting to cutting and grinding. Yeah!


I'd read that at least a couple of the few initial models sent to Russia in '42 were outfitted with Panzer III/IV rear storage boxes, so I decided to go this route for the turret rear. Mato makes a metal version with an opening lid, which I purchased at the same time as the turret. It's perhaps less than perfect, and the apparently biggest conundrum was how to affix it to the rear turret wall? In a rare moment of clarity I realised a couple of nylon rawl plugs would fit in the flared sections of the box, and with a healthy dash of JB Weld they were fixed securely in place and the box trial fitted.

[kernewek]

I could see his pics from the beginning.
BTW….mine still not finished yet……

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That's a fabulous example Rob, looks clean enough to have just driven out of the factory door. My example will be a much less tidy tank, probably winter camouflage if I can manage it, and plenty of damage that show the scars of heavy engagement with the guys on the other side. Thanks for the heads-up on the centre weld, had forgotten about that one

Craig

[kernewek]

Let the fun (and frustrations) begin. I’m looking forward to seeing your Tiger as you progress. Half the fun is researching the initial production Tiger.

Thanks for looking-in Jimster, good to have your point of view as a master builder of the initial version

Craig

[kernewek]

Craig this is great that you are documenting your build. And I apologize I may have called you Kevin in an old post.

No worries Mr Chef, after 40-odd years working in trucking and construction I've been called a lot worse!

Craig

[Jimster]

I recently acquired a Panzer III stowage bin and painted it and added the big Wooly Mammoth decal to the rear. I’m about to add rare earth magnets to it and my side bins to easily swap looks. Yours looks first rate!

[MrChef]

No worries Mr Chef, after 40-odd years working in trucking and construction I've been called a lot worse!
Craig

And I've been a Chef for 30 odd years so you Know I've also been called worse.

Back to your project.

I had a similar challenge modifying my Panzer III turret bin. Was a bit of a pain since the turret was metal.

[kernewek]

I recently acquired a Panzer III stowage bin and painted it and added the big Wooly Mammoth decal to the rear. I’m about to add rare earth magnets to it and my side bins to easily swap looks. Yours looks first rate!

That's an intelligent solution, giving the old girl a change of appearance whenever the fancy takes you. Where did your Panzer bin come from?

[kernewek]

And I've been a Chef for 30 odd years so you Know I've also been called worse.

I bet you have, especially during the early days in your apprenticeship!

I guess that's the beauty of this hobby, it's not just foolin' around with tanks, it's trying to find solutions to the issues that making these modifications presents us. Helps keep the ol' brain active, whch must be something to encourage

[Jimster]

Used the one from my Taigen p3 which is my current project.

[Jimster]

Here’s the donor.



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