Mid-Late Tiger rebuild

[Saxondog]

I have decided to start a new post on my much abused Tiger in 1/6 Scale. After a year of sitting on a work bench collecting dust I have decided to completely disassemble this model and rebuild it. Some of the following pictures detail just how badly the tank has deteriorated and also how clever the Chinese were in building this tank from Aluminium panels.

This view shows the rust from the angle brackets,steel bolted to aluminium

The hull assembled,really needs work

[Saxondog]

Decided to strip the Turret of all three hatches and try an upgrade the hinge assemblies as they really suck. The loaders hatch is very detailed with wheel latch and hand locking mechanism,while the other two are featureless.

The disassembly continues....

[Johnf]

You could fit roof supports to support the deck and turret.



Also you could replace the front deck with aluminium sheet and use the rear deck details To build a functionalrear deck. Looks like it will take a lot of effort to remove those details.

You are welcome to my hatch hinges if you want them. Quite sturdy.

Track tow cables look good. Just add some steel cable. I made wooden handles for all my tools.

[Saxondog]

Thanks John,I do want the hinges but we can talk that over in the coming days. My Hull need supports and it is my intension to copy yours and this picture is perfect for that detail. Also for the rear details and intend to cut the upper deck in a straight line across making he deck into two pieces and making a support that works like yours.

The rear details are not to bad and working hinges and latches would be a real improvement,it's hard to see but the details mount to aluminium plate that has a single fibre layer under the hatches,once the plate is cut(using a router) then I can belt sand the bottom layer of fibre glass off until I reach the metal, smooth it out by wet sanding and a good primer coat,the separate the different hatches into single assemblies. From that point I will be able to determine how to proceed further.

I had to stop working today and go to the flood zone bring one of my bikes home as my friends shop could be underwater soon,that really sucks too. Before I left I did remove all the hatches and have a few pics, Thanks again John,the pictures are very helpful and save me alot of work because obviously they have engineered your tank very well. cheers

[Johnf]

My escape hatch and commanders hatch are just as basic so looki g forward to seeing your work.

[pzrwest]

Hi Blake after seeing your Tiger and the hull made of aluminum it is a Viper Tiger1

[Saxondog]

Hi Harold, Well that's solve's that mystery. Does that help to possibly find other part I.E.Sprocket half? Do any of you club members have one of these maybe?

I have as you see stripped it down and intend to completely disassemble the Hull and strip the old paint. At that point the hull require some internal supports. Do you know anyone that has done the RC Conversion?

[pzrwest]

I spoke to Geoff(JC, Johnny Cqnnuck) who just sold his Viper Tiger1 to my friend Jack and fellow club member that the resin tracks that come with the Tiger1 won't stand up long if used for rc. Also the sprockets being white cast metal will also not last long, if you replace the resin track with metal tracks. Jack, JC, and myself all belong to the Ottawa One Sixth Scale Club

[Saxondog]

In order to do the conversion first it's a 1000.00 and it cost a small fortune to ship. Steel Dragons does sell the tracks and sprockets so he is 800 miles from me and in Florida,so if I pick them up the wife gets a vacation in Florida and I save on the shipping.

As for the sprockets I don't know what to say,I have three sections in good shape and if I could find one half at least for now I would have a decent static Tiger. Thanks for the information Harold, Blake

[pzrwest]

To use the Viper sprockets would also require some machineing. The hole would probably need to be enlarged and a keyway cut into the hole in the sprocket, also you would have to drill and tap from the backside and screw the 2 halves together... but it could be done