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Tiger front Track Guards.
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:16 pm
by Andicog
Can someone tell me on what version of Tiger would it be correct to remove the front track guards? I've seen a few modified but wondered if the very early version was produced without, also would many Tigers have had these removed due to battle damage or operating conditions ? I recently picked up a cheap non S+ S Tiger and was thinking of removing the front guards ( although not the side ones ) Same question for the spare track sections carried on the front, can these be left off without ruining the accuracy of the Tiger? Thanks.
Re: Tiger front Track Guards.
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:16 pm
by Andicog
Thanks for reply and photo's, any idea what would be left on the hull after guards have gone (was there a mounting flange etc) ??
Re: Tiger front Track Guards.
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:26 pm
by Woz
The track guards were easily damaged and sometimes it was easier to remove them the repair/replace them.
Re: Tiger front Track Guards.
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:55 pm
by Crispy
As above really. All the guards including the side and rear where often damaged and removed in the field to stop them foaling the tracks. The front & rear tracks were hinged and you can see this on the HL mouldings. If they were removed carefully one half of the hinge would still be on the armour plate but its just as likely that the hinge would get damaged and pulled or cut off as well.
Re: Tiger front Track Guards.
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:02 pm
by Andicog
Thanks, didnt think to leave half the hinge , seems like a good plan !
Re: Tiger front Track Guards.
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:04 pm
by oz
if the hinge was removed you would have this, you can see the weld points for the mudguard hinges.....
Re: Tiger front Track Guards.
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:09 pm
by oz
heres the hinge....
Re: Tiger front Track Guards.
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:24 pm
by Rivetcounter
All Tigers when new had front and rear mud guards but as has already been said these would be riped off from time to time, as for track links on the front plate well there where many different ways of hanging these depending on the unit the Tiger came from some units didn't have them the brackets where a field modification
Re: Tiger front Track Guards.
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:30 pm
by Crispy
I removed all the guards on my old Tiger 1 while turning it into a Sturmtiger. Used a dremel like mini drill with cutting and sanding disc, its not as hard as you may think but it does make a lot of mess so best done outside or somewhere the missus wont mind ::)
In hindsight, if i did it again i'd use my flat head soldering iron to melt/cut most of the plastic off and then sand & file down the last few mils to clean it up. Much less mess and really quick
It does make the house smell a bit though to open the windows and she'll never know
Re: Tiger front Track Guards.
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:22 am
by Andicog
Crispy wrote:
I removed all the guards on my old Tiger 1 while turning it into a Sturmtiger. Used a dremel like mini drill with cutting and sanding disc, its not as hard as you may think but it does make a lot of mess so best done outside or somewhere the missus wont mind ::)
In hindsight, if i did it again i'd use my flat head soldering iron to melt/cut most of the plastic off and then sand & file down the last few mils to clean it up. Much less mess and really quick
It does make the house smell a bit though to open the windows and she'll never know
Somewhere the missus wont mind ? Kitchen it is then . . . .
Thanks to all for photos and info