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Nice start!

Got to love building a tamiya kit.

Ad Lav wrote:Nice start!

Got to love building a tamiya kit.

Gotta love seeing one of Mike's (Sassgrunt's) projects!

- - Gotta love seeing one of Mike's (Sassgrunt's) projects! - -

You know, for somebody who has a birthday coming up in three days; your attempt at trying to stir up trouble is definitely gonna affect the shipment of Hello Kitty stuff I got for you.

Ignore the squeaky wheel noises, Painless. The rest of us are enjoying your build, (my tank, but YOUR build), immensely! -Mike

Step 7 this evening required some measurement and drilling. I installed the aftermarket idler adjuster from Henntec. I was surprised when it was not a drop in replacement. I'm used to drilling holes for small screws and mounts ( I have one of these on my Porsche King Tiger ) for fitment. However, this part required a complete drill out of the metal inner hub where the idler adjuster inserts. I can only assume that the diameter of the idler hubs are smaller on the static model vs the RC version. The adjuster is installed and will give a great measure of track stability to _Mike's_ Tiger *chuckles* I think I have mentioned already that I'm building this for Sassgrunt. I'm just happy to be allowed to do the build. The fact that it is fun is just icing on the cake. Pics:

I'm sorry that you had to go through the effort to drill out the hull so that the Henntec parts would fit. Great job, though! I'm glad that they replaced the original idler arms with their own robust arms. From talking to people who frequent Danville, that is one of the few weak points on the Tiger I, (especially if you ever upgrade to metal tracks). At least now the idlers will be as bulletproof as the gearboxes.

The idler fitment on the full option Tamiya tiger is the same painless,you have to open out the inner hull just like you have on this one.

Good morning,
Mike, No apologies needed. Building this kit is something I look forward to every evening now. Del, it is curious that the Henntec adjuster requires the Tamiya lower to be modified when used. I wonder if this piece was designed with an Asiatam or Torro\Taigen lower hull in mind. Well, Mike will be able to run the metal tracks whenever he chooses. The fitment of this piece makes it bulletproof.
regards,
Painless

Step 8 tonight involved replacing Tamiya's molded spare track segment with a run of nylon track. Flexible and it will hang correctly in the bracket. I have a trip up to Pueblo tomorrow night then some casting work to do for the Stuart on Sunday. I will get back to this build by Monday at the latest. Pics:

Steps 9 and 10 this afternoon. To leave room for the MFU platform, some adjustment on it's leading edge was called for and done. The rest was simple and Tamiya's own brand of efficient. The plastic bow MG was swapped out for the metal one which will be lit by fiberoptic. Pics:

Step 11 was just drilling a couple of holes and mounting the armor plate. I didn't use any glue on the one area it is called for because I am coming back after the lower hull is painted to mount the spare tracks with those screws. Steps 12, 13 and 14 all involve wheel, sprocket and idler assembly and mounting them on the lower. So it is time to prime and paint. I am going out of town tomorrow night and will be back Sunday evening. I'll pick up this build on Monday ;o) Pics: