Late Tiger 1 gun travel lock

[Chipmunk]

Hi All.
I'm in the process of modeling a late Tiger 1 based on the Heng Long model.
The version i'm building has the rear gun travel lock.
I've had a good look on the internet but havn't been able to find anyone who produces this part. So before I start scratch building, does anyone out there know where I could get hold of one?
Thanks.

[majordisastor]

I have never seen an aftermarket one on sale anywhere that I can think of ....

Looks like you are in for a spot of scratchbuilding I am afraid ....

Andy

[tanks_for_the_memory]

Can I just ask if you are building a late Tiger with metal road wheels or the interim version with the rubber one?

I'll be corrected if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure the travel lock was only fitted to some of the latter.

Just thought it might save you the bother!

[Johnf]

Travel lock was introduced in November 1943 as of chassis no. 250635 and deleated by Feb 1944. The rubber saving wheels were introduced in Feb 1944 from chassis no. 250822. Looks like it should be rubber tire wheels. rctank.de do one for the panther G as part of a kit.. Not exact but a lot less hassle than scratch build. Dominique might sell it on its own.

http://www.rctank.de/product_info.php?c ... sid=fb3ebe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Remember it's your tank. Enjoy the build and do'nt get too caught up in the details. Post pictures.

I'm looking at The Modelers Guide to the Tiger Tank and they have modelled Tiger 007 with steel wheels and gun travel lock. Goes against what they say in the technical section. Some good images of the travel lock in this book.

[fleshpedler]

You have another choice , a wooden block as on this late tiger1, also on 205 I have a picture of her with what appears to be a wooden block for a gun crutch ,on her way to the Normandy front in 1944,............
Fleshy................................

[Johnf]

I like that wooden block idea. Do you have that picture of 205?

[Von kraftwerk]

the wooden block was for rail transport only,as was the factory travel lock afaik,I have no idea why it was introduced and then dropped,I believe there was an internal travel lock in turret,maybe it fouled Traverse when gun was depressed ? I read somewhere that it was offset to the right because tunnels curved mostly to the right in europe,I've got said pic of 205 somewhere I cant remember if lock was on left or right,its shown upright I think it didnt pivot,why not put it in centre then?mystery,I know that the Tamiya 1/35 mid production Tiger kit has one,it looks a lot different to Panthers lock,hope this helps

[Von kraftwerk]

ps there is some good pics in Tigers on the western front by Jean Restayn,the 2 legs of the lock are bolted to 2 separate cast iron?feet that seem to be welded to the top edge of the rear plate,maybe it was meant to be removed to prevent fouling,its possible it pivots to the sides it would still foul gun though,I'm just getting to grips with IT I might be able to scan a couple of pics,or post a scale drawing,and yes it is offset to the right when looking from rear

[fleshpedler]

If you look closely it can been seen on the rear deck,...........
Fleshy,.....................

[Von kraftwerk]

well spotted on 205,these wooden blocks may have been issued on Tigers when the travel lock was discontinued,I think the Tiger on the train is from ss 102/502 abt,the light coloured shield would have a dark pink lightning flash unit badge if I'm right,these tanks had a neat broad banded wavy camo pattern running horizontaly along the sides in brown and green with narrow wavy lines in dark yellow and staggered turret numbers very different 102 abt tanks stand out among other units the all seemed to have this camo,my choice if I do a late Tiger which I feel coming on now