Turret

[Jakeand]

Hi,

Known issues (by me)

1. Commanders cupola. Vision slits and hatch placement.
2. "Mushrooms" (Turmhebelpilz). Wrong shape, rear one missing.
3. Vision slits. Left& Right (gunner-loader)missing.
4. Pistol port. Wrong angle
5. Gun barrel. To short
6. Gun mantle. Upside down
7. Turret center. Off center
8. Turret shape symmetric (Upper wiev)

Credit for some pictures & drawings goes to various posters at R.C.U forum, RCPKF, HHA forums. Thx guys!

Regards

Jake

[littletankman]

Hi Jake,
Im reasonably new to this forum. Im re working my HL Tiger I as a post Aprril 1944 model with the turret protection ring . But like you have mentioned the turret is incorect on the HL and spins of centre . Before I read your post I had already moved my turret hole and centerlised the ring on the bottom of the turret you show 15mm . I moved my turret hole back 10mm and also by moving the turret bottom ring to the centre , I think its 5mm out so giving the 15mm does this seem correct ? I have compared mine with other tanks and photos and it seems ok ? And now added the turret ring.
Thanks

[tankman]

Hi guys don't mean to hijack this thread but I would very much like a little more info on the turret protection ring littletankman has added as I am in the process of upgrading my Tiger 1 from the early version to a late model and the turret ring is proving to be a major issue. Many thanks in advance
Alan

[fv432]

Same here alan would like to add that to mine as well

[littletankman]

Hi Alan  and FV342.
    I just looked on the net for images of Tiger I s with turret protection rings and theres not much out there . I found some picts of Schwere SS panzer-Abteiling 101 in Normandy with post April 1944 Tiger Is and you can see the ring on a couple , and another Tiger I (pict bellow) but not good enougth to do much with . Im now basing my Tiger I on tank number 112 of that unit. There was images of model Tiger Is with the ring on which show it to be bolted on . The book I read says there welded on ? Im no expert . But to add the turret ring you do have to move the hole and centerlise the turret bottom ring so the turret spins in a circle . I saw Jakes post which is very good after I had done mine . Mine seems to me to be ok ? I have the book with the scale drawings of late war German AFVs and going on that it seems ok baring in mind not all of Heng Longs sizes are 100% accurate.

[STEINER]

I am also busy with a late Tiger build and I have hunted high and low for a turret ring guard. I tried fabricating one out of styrene, but without success. As far as I know, there is no current accessory of this made ( I contacted rctank.de and he is going to ask his man in China ?)

I was going to get it Laser cut (CAD) but the price was a minimum of £50, so that ruled that out !! Any CAD operators out there with cheap rates !! lol.

Here is a Link http://tiger1.info/EN/AFVLateTurretRing.html

And another http://tiger1.info/EN/DragonTurretRingProtector.html

1/35 scale, but it could be scaled up. Like every one else this is a must accessory for an authentic post 1944/late Tiger build.

[littletankman]

Hi Steiner,
Intresting link , thats very helpfull may be some were bolted some welded ? I can change mine at some point ? I cut my ring from plastic sheet . It was fiddley but just took my time but its so thin its easy to snap .

Thanks Littletankman

[littletankman]

Hi Steiner,
You have convinced me , I think Im going to alter mine now to bolts as per your post , thanks . I can split my turret protection ring into three equal parts .

  Thanks

[Crispy]

This looks pretty easy to make guys. All you need is a drawing compass with 2 points and some plasticard or decent cardboard for that matter.

Measure the diameter you want, set the compass to the required radius, push the centre point firmly into the card and then drag the other point around to cut the outer circle first. Take your time and keep going over the same line and eventually you will be able to flex the card enough to pop out a perfect circle. Then reset the compass to the inner radius and repeat.

Then its just a matter of deciding where to cut off the rear section where it meets the engine deck and gluing it onto the hull (liquid poly works for me with plasticard on HL plastic). A quick weld seam around the sides (i'd go with milliput pressed with a cocktail stick) and hey presto! Great look for not much effort.

Just remember, cut the OUTER circle first otherwise you'll lose the centre point before cutting the inner circle.

Going by Littletankmans pics i'd estimate you'll need card thats apx 2mm thick. I'd offer to do this myself (for a small fee ) but my own HL Tiger 1 is "sans turret" since I converted it to a Sturmtiger, so i couldnt test my measurments in the flesh as it were 

[littletankman]

Hi yer thats an idea . I cut mine on a fine bandsaw . I think they were welded on an I used milliput but after reading steiners post bolts may be the way it was done as he has actual pictures of original rings with bolts?

Littletankman