Tiger build - newbie learning

[Ava_Banana]

thanks for the reply R-T. I like the look of those braided hoses.

I work in a printing factory, and i love re-using or re-purposing, so i'll have a look around for some suitable braided sheath or similar.

[jarndice]

If you go to ----
www.forgebeartanks.com
and click on "ABER" you will find the Tiger 1 Engine Grilles which are a simple fit,
A line of glue around the area and lay them on the engine deck,
If you scroll down you will come to the in- accurately labelled "Air Cleaners" which are actually Photo Etch that wraps around the Air Cleaner Tubes,,
Do not be put off by the term "photo Etch",
In this case all you do is put a pencil through the tube then wrap the Photo Etch sheet tightly around the pipe and it will assume the multi-sided form of the original factory fitted pipe covers,
Trail a line of Superglue along one edge of the sheet and close the overlapping edge onto the glue line,
I always disregard the end pieces as they turn an easy job into a pain.
You now have an authentic looking pair of Air Cleaner Tubes.
As to removing the Tools, the latest Heng Long Tiger 1 Mould has the tools as a press fit so you just pop them off but the earlier model had the tools moulded onto the body.
A modelling blade used as an almost flat chisel to get under the edge of the tool will allow you to peel the tool off it is a case of getting under the tool and keeping the blade flat and pushing first to one side then the other and then forward and repeat that until it is free,
Done properly you should be left with just a shadow of what was once there. ,
This task as with so much that you do on your Tank rewards Patience,
A lot of us end up with the blade in a finger or thumb so be CAREFUL
Shaun.

[doc larsson]

rather than cutting in to make the middle franken bolt try using a single punch to cut out x2 plasticard join them together and cut in half add a piece of round sprue and job done.

[rolling-thunder]

These are the grills before paint {picture #1}
& then paint {picture#2)

[Ava_Banana]

thanks RT - that reminds me...need to turn my cupola round.

...no aerial?

[Max-U52]

Guys.

Your plastic shiny chrome is meant to be metal, or look like metal, I've got two tiger 1's with this, although the sprockets on mine are metal, both sets of idlers are silver painted plastic, and they were sold to me as metal, one set on the tank, and one set as an upgrade. If the two halves of the idler are glued together and are around 12 grams each they are silver painted grey plastic. If the two halves are screwed together and weigh around 50 grams each they are metal.

I ended up buying two pairs of metal idlers from Hong Kong for £13 a set.

So, you can imagine how I feel about it.

Mick.

Edit P.S. Looking at those pictures above, the idlers and sprockets look plastic. I'm going to have to take a closer look at my second ones sprockets now, that came with them already on, only checked the idlers after receiving a set for the first one with so called metal idlers.

A quick way to tell if sprockets and idlers are plastic or metal is to use a push pin. Just heat up the end of the pin with a lighter and touch it to The Idler on the back side in a place not easily seen. If the hot pin sinks right in you've got plastic. If it won't go in it's metal.

[rolling-thunder]

thanks RT -
...no aerial?

No, with my poor eyesight the Tank still goes out of view. It doesn't actually need an Aerial & the Aerial post isn't connected up anyway.

[rolling-thunder]

A few more upgrades arrived this morning, first to be fitted was the braided hose. I think they are a simple but effective improvement?

[Ava_Banana]

thanks RT -
...no aerial?

No, with my poor eyesight the Tank still goes out of view. It doesn't actually need an Aerial & the Aerial post isn't connected up anyway.

haha, i did mean that you haven't re-located the aerial, or put one on as decoration in the correct place?

I'm currently wondering what i can use (i'm putting an internal aerial in the body for RC) for the aerial that will be springy enough to mimic a real one when the turret goes round over it but that will look correct for scale.

[jarndice]

Can I offer a word about our Tanks and Radio Aerials,
If you have children who are likely to be in the vicinity of your Tanks,
When our Grandchildren were younger I quickly realised that the aerials are almost invisible to people unfamiliar with them,, My Lady has many worthy qualities one of them being she misses nothing,
She suggested Why don't you fill one of the girls beads with Plasticene and put the bead on the tip of the aerial,
Genius
Never came close to a problem ever since.
Shaun.