HL Tiger 1 conversion to Bergetiger

[capt midnight]

I came across a few photos of this conversion a while back and wanted to give it a shot. I know that there were only a few of these documented, so I'm not going to model a specific tank. The plan is to make one up that has been in service for a while, with some field mods added to it. So, with that said, here we go....

First step, gut the thing like a trout.



I cut the stowage box off the back of the turret and closed it up with sheet plastic and putty.



I wanted to keep the elevation function, so I had to move the mounts for the motor. I also had a spare motor that had a lot smaller case than the new one.



Trimmed the case a bit to make sure the tab on the airsoft unit could have a good bite on the cam.



Also had to shorten the airsoft unit. There is not going to be a barrel, so no need for a functioning unit.



And here's the assembled turret.


More to come...

Bill

[capt midnight]

Here's the upper hull with a few mods. I removed some of the side skirts and the right front fender. The color is a coat of Rustolium Flat Sand. I used that for a primer, but I think I might keep it as a base coat.







Here's the finished winch. I used a couple of spare r/c car gears. Soldered brass for the crank handles, and plastic bits for the rest. I also made up a latch to hold the winch in position.





And here's the boom and mounts on top of the turret. I turned a couple pulleys on my lathe for the boom and the hook block. The hook is a piece of copper wire bent to shape and hammered flat.





I'll get some more pictures after I get everything into a primer coat. Also a close up of the hook block.

Bill

[HERMAN BIX]

Love it, nice work.
You sure do have the knack for quirky builds mate

[c.rainford73]

Nice engineering my friend Very impressed with the build and looking forward to the final product

[doc larsson]

sir you are a genius !

[43rdRecceReg]

And what fish will you be hoping to catch with this particular Tiger? Brilliantly improvised and engineered gizmo though...

[capt midnight]

Thanks for the great comments, guys. I'm really liking the way this one is coming along. I put the Big wind on the back burner for a while, having problems getting the jet engines to look right.

Here's some close ups of the block and tackle...









The hook is a piece of solid copper wire, bent to shape then hammered flat. I did some final shaping with a Dremel and files. The block frame is made from soldered copper sheet.

Haven't gotten a picture yet, but I've also made up one of the hoist frames that are used to change out the drive sprocket. I'm working on a chain fall for it right now. I too had always wondered about the holes by the front fenders. Thanks to all for the info.



Bill

[capt midnight]

Here's some shots of today's progress...

Made up the fender mounted hoist arm.


Front tow bracket.


Tow bar.


And the chain fall hoist.


Bill

[c.rainford73]

Bill that looks fantastic you may have many on the forum lining up for that hoist with the chain setup for the front sprockets!

I think you have done an incredible job

Carl

[HERMAN BIX]

OOOOoooooohhhhh YES
That front chain block & arm will be a hot seller mate.
Best you get a few made up & a price on them .
No joke. Nice work.