Heng Long Tiger I - man do I need help

[Beobachtungsbereich]

I'm pretty new to the 1:16th world and I'm going to be doing my first project on a Tiger I I bought for the measly sum of $50.

It's the version that has airsoft only. No sound or smoke. I'm a pretty good model builder in 1:35 scale and pretty handy with an air brush and washes so this project is a blank canvas so to speak.

As you can see from the photos the previous owner decided to cut the molded side skirts, front fender and the rear mud flap off.








That being said, I want to make this as accurate as possible. I've spent the better part of last night and this morning searching the site but basically came up empty on how to fix this. I'd like to make them in either sheet metal (copper / brass) but I haven't the foggiest of how to do it.

I figure someone here has done it before or can point me in the right direction.


Next is I've seen and read the thread on how to correct the gun mantlet. Does it also apply to the airsoft version? It was pretty late so I may have missed that in the thread.

What I was thinking of doing is getting a replacement kit such as this (mods, I'm not advertizing for this guy. If this is against forum rules, please delete the link)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heng-Long-1-1 ... 4aaf11b6cb" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm sure guys like Saxondog or forgebear have tried this before.

Any help for this Canadian tanker would be appreciated. I'm getting back into my old hobby and this one (they pretty well go hand in hand) to "ground" myself / relax.

Regards

Edit to add- Anyone ever do a mod to get rid of that annoying antenna? Saw the mod to make an RBG for 360 deg traversing. Nice job BTW.

[FreakyDude]

copper or brass would work but i would suggest aluminum as it is a bit cheaper. I would sand the edge of the hull flat, then take my Alu, drill some 1 or 2 mm holes reverse bend it in appropriate lengths for each section of the side skirt. I would then screw each section back to the hull side, fill any spots needed with glazing putty you can get at your hobby store or an auto shop and you should be good to go.
As an FYI plastic sheet styrene might be a material to look at as well, easy to work with etc.
good luck with your Tiger

I have seen guys run the antennae around the inside of the tank but that would shorten your range, just move it to the proper spot on the left side of the hull

[Beobachtungsbereich]

Thanks for the tips! I'll be looking for measurements and angles if anyone would mind posting them. They can't be that thick either, probably 1-2mm right?

Hmmm...a Patricia that does RC tanks. You in Gagetown?

Regards

[tanks_for_the_memory]

It certainly looks like an interesting project...

Of course you don't have to replace the missing mudguards - they often came off in combat or were left off after transport - although the rest of them will have to come off!

Personally I have always liked the look of the Tiger without the front mudguards - here's some shots of my work in progress.

P1040856 small.jpg (34.3 KiB) Viewed 3308 times

P1040828 small.jpg (40 KiB) Viewed 3308 times

As for metal upgrades, they are a nice addition but cumulatively can cost quite a bit. My advice would be to choose the ones you think you really need. The 'correction' of the gun mantlet, for example (by which I assume you mean turning it the right way up - the gun should also be slightly off-centre to the coaxial machine gun side but this is hardly noticable) is pretty easy to do with the Heng Long part and a little patience.

Good luck!

Tim

[Saxondog]

The Antenna issue is a easy fix,throw it away. Replace with an internal antenna made of coiled wiring 16 or 18 ga. This will work better and is concealed. I coiled mine around a pencil,maybe 50mm long when coiled tight,it works very well and is out of the way.

One Mud guard option is Tamiya parts, these can be purchased through a few venders,

http://stores.ebay.com/Jasons-Store" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.aaftankmuseum.com/tiger1pg2.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The second link is the AAF Museum, the store is run by two girls Natasha and Karen,e-mail your request for parts and they will certainly get back to you. This is just an option,the Tamiya parts can be purchased in individual sprue's.

Another option may be here on the forum,a post in the wanted section for an Heng Long Tiger hull from someone with a spare,alot of guys collect parts from different projects and you may find a hull for very little money.

Regards,Saxondog

[Saxondog]

One other area to observe for detailed information is the Alan Hamby Tiger site, everything about the Tiger and many photos and drawings,detailed modifications and a complete production guide with Pictures.

http://www.alanhamby.com/tiger.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[FreakyDude]

Beobach sorry but I am an ex Patricia, closest I came to real tanks was all the play time in suffield. I have some links you might be interested in, when I get some free time I'll pm them to you.
I was at my LHS today and looked at the price of the brass, it really isn't that bad.you would need 2 lengths and my LHS is selling it at 8 bucks a length. should be more than enough to rebuild your fenders. almost your needed width as well.

[Jason001]

I'd have a look on ebay. I recently bought a replacement heng long bulldog hull for £7.

The hl tiger is a popular tank and theres always loads of spares for it.

Also try forgebear he may have one.

Good luck anyway with whatever yuo decide to do
Jason

[Beobachtungsbereich]

Thanks for all the info guys, much appreciated.

Are there any metal gun barrels out there that will work with the airsoft system?

Most I've seen are for the lights and recoil version only.

Regards

[Dietrich]

Hi Beobachtungsbereich,
Just a possible solution to your problem of the 'Removed with a wood-saw' mudguards.....if you go off the idea of making them or it is too hard then simply sand the side of the Tiger flat and run it without the mudguards. There are plenty of photos of Tigers without any fitted, here are a couple of shots for you.