ARMOR - Tamiya 1/16 Tiger 1 Group Build

WWMcB,

I'm not sweating it. Like I posted earlier, a guy in my tank club will be making some masks for me with a CAD program. Once I get them, it will be the home stretch!!

I do have a question though. There is a 1/16 Aber set that says it has German helmets, straps, etc. I'm looking for a couple
of german helmets to detail my Tiger and I was wondering about this set. Note: I refuse to bend something like a helmet
from a flat sheet of metal! I'd mess it all up, I swear! Any other possibilities?

Roy

CAD should work pretty nice for making up some masks for you.

Doesn't Dirk have cast helmuts?

Okieboy, don't hold me too it but I think the Aber set is helmet liners and straps. I haven't seen a photo of the fret though. I guess it liners and straps for helmets that come with some of the figures. It would be nice if someone made a small equipment set to have a few pieces sitting on the tank when you display it. Maybe I'll buy a figure or 2 and strip stuff off it.

Eric

Kuma:

Yea, he makes helmets: KT-0016, $4 a pop (not cheap) and I'm not sure if they have any interior detail, but the straps are usable at least.

And a word of warning to those who read my referral of Steve (harhmi@aol.com) looking for a Tiger 1 lamp. It seems that something is not right in RC-land... a flame-war has erupted in the RC Armor Forum, and the other participants is a repeat offender (as in stirring the excrement)

Consider my referral ~null~and~void~.

Okie:

Is your friend cutting ~metal~ ones? Would he consider cutting Allied/US ones (both insignis & numbers) if there was a chance to make a bit of dough?

I ask as the German guys claimed to be interested, then silence. The guys here in NA want Allied ones, and if the price is competative, probably German ones too.

WhiteWolf

Hiya guys,

As for the guy making the masks, he uses contact paper and he's making masks for the numbers as well as the white borders around them. I doubt that he would consider making them for lots of other folks though. (Money or not) To say this fellow is busy would be an understatement. He not only has a 1/16 Tiger I, but a 1/16 Panther and at least 5 R/C Submarines in various stages of completion. [:0]

It also seems like I'm making all sorts of modifications. According to the directions, you have to use the right trim port along with the right control stick to fire the main gun and the machine gun. Okay, I find this to be totally lame, so here's what I did... I went to the FRAGarmor website and copied off their Advanced Hints #3, which shows you step by step how to rig
up a couple of buttons to fire the canon and MG. All in all, the supplies cost me about $15, and that's because I didn't already
own a soldering iron. Not a bad trade off when you consider
that to try and purchase a device off the web to do this costs
around $300.

I thought Dirk made helmets, but I wasn't sure. The man's work is superb, but I have little to no patience when it comes to waiting, and the cost of postage is prohibitive. If ya'll consider getting an order together, I would definitely want to order a couple of helmets. Let me know.

Roy

Hey contact paper is a cool idea. I never thought of that. Not sure how he's plotting or printing to contact paper though. I guess it comes with a backing material that peels off? Boy thats smart thinking. Then just cut out the numbers with an exacto knife. The same thing could done using Photoshop.

I was originally thinking I'd just plot or print them on vellum then use future as a temporary sticking medium but that doesn't sound as clean as contact paper

Roy I've been hanging out waiting. Whitewolf mentioned Dirk was supposed to email him about getting some kind of group order together. If we could get something going it would be nice. I'm kind of impatient too. I can wait a week or two but after that I get antsy I can't believe my Aber PE hasn't gotten here yet! Can't do a thing til it does $4 per helmet is a bit steep though...isn't it? I'd want at least 2 and possibly up to 5. Can't see spending $20 on 5 little helmuts. Wonder why those little buggers are so expensive.... maybe Dirk would cut us a deal if we buy like 10 in a group order?

Kuma,

I got an e-mail from White Wolf early this morning and he said that he and some other folks were getting an order together. I e-mailed him right back and said that I'd be interested in two german helmets. I can't stand waiting for overseas stuff either, plus the airmail costs are deadly. As for a discount, I imagine that if we order as a group, that would defray at least some of the cost of shipping. You might want to contact White Wolf and see if you can throw in your order as well.

Another option is that I've seen some 1/18 scale "Ultimate Soldier" action figures. I've seen german infantrymen, complete with gear. Toy R Us carries them. I suppose I could pick a couple up and then I'd have the helmets, packs and weapons. (Hey, it's an option!)

Roy

Yea but then I'd want to pose them on my tank and what if they fell off But that might actually be the ticket if the helmets looked ok. And I"m overdue for a visit to a toy store

I don't have Whitewolfs email addy. If I miss the boat I might try a couple alternatives and be creative.

So when do we get to see your Tiger Roy? We're chompin at the bit. It sounds like your close to being done?

btw...I got that video "Tiger Attack" from A&E. It had brief spots talking with Otto Carius and british and russian tank commanders who faced Tigers. It was ok. Also picked up Tiger 1 on the Eastern/Western Front and those are really nice. I think they will finally help me to decide on which T1.

Kuma,

Actually, I might be able to post pics this next Thursday or Friday. Keep your fingers crossed. As for those figures, it looks like Toy R Us is stocking the majority of the Germans. If you get the chance, you should read Carius' book, "Tigers in the Mud" for a tanker's view of WWII. Good stuff for the most part. Nice call on the Restayn books, Eastern/Western Front. I bought the Western Front and that's what helped me decide on which tank to build.
Hopefully I'll get my masks Monday or Tuesday and then there will be no stopping. Can't wait!

Roy

Really looking forward to seeing it

I'm tryin to think where my local Toys R Us is. They probably have a website with a store locator don't you think?

I picked up Tigers in the Mud from Barnes and Noble last week. Just haven't found free time to sit down and start readin it yet.

Have you decided how dirty your going to make your Tiger? Are you going to get it get naturally dirty from RC'ing or do some on your own? Didn't you do a wash and lead pencil your Tiger up some?

I haven't done the wash yet because I have to get my insignias and numbers on before that. They have to weather along with the tank don't they? I will do a wash on my roadwheels this week though to see how it looks. If I like it, I'll try it out on the rest of the tank. As for the filth level, I plan to go easy. The lead pencil gave it a more metallic, solid look. I also used flat black in the airbrush to sufficiently dirty up the exhausts. I think I'll use a mixture of thinned out Tamiya buff on the wheels and lower extremities of the hull and fenders. As for the truly filthy look, I really hate to cover up all the work I'm doing with dirt. So have you decided what to do with your Tiger?

Roy

Guys :

Why is the cost so high ? The helmets are ~metal~ , and not cheap tire weight lead . And shipping from Germany is a great chunk of the 'delay' & cost , as parcels from Germany to NA take longer than ones from HK & Japan to NA .

You'd have to ask Dirk about bulk ordering items , but the factor them becomes shipping weight . and from what I'm told , once it exceeds one kilo , the rates jump significantly .

This is why I discussed merging shipments with Willy , so that the shipping costs could be defrayed .

Now Bob , Chuck & I aren't waiting . Bob's taked Dirk into accepting one payment , and shipping to us separately to keep the total weight down . He's willing to order in advance , and then accept payment when Dirk tells him the outgoing totals .

Kuma:

My addy is WhiteWolf (at) eisa (dot) com , but don't wait too long , soon as we have #'s this order is placed , and once the funds are sent thats it .

Hey WWMcB,

Did you throw in my two helmets with this order?

Roy

Don't let me hold you up Whitewolf. You guys go ahead with your order and I'll either scratchbuild or order from Dirk at a later date. Thanks for the post though.

QUOTE: Originally posted by okieboy So have you decided what to do with your Tiger? Roy

Haven't decided yet. Boy this is difficult. The more pictures I look at the more confused I get. I"m almost ready to pick a Tiger out of frustration.

I'm also getting antsy about my Aber PE set. I ordered it awhile ago and it still hasn't gotten here (ordered 2 weeks ago maybe). I think I'll call and see when it was shipped.

And you've peaked my curiousity about those german figures at Toy's R Us.... I didn't know they made that kinda stuff for kids these days.

Glad to hear your build is moving right along. Those helmets will add a nice touch I think to your Tiger. Can't wait to see it.

And the really cool thing is your done in fall so you can take her out and drive her around for awhile.

Kuma :

No problems , odds are I'll be ordering at least once more , as I'm gonna beg half a cable set (2 cables per set) from Chuck to see what they are like , and then if i like , order a few for myself .

A Few Questions ... on Photo-Etch assembly

- CA, solder , metal-epoxy or a mix ( some parts CA , others solder or epoxy )

- if epoxy is used , any recommended brand ?

- lightly sanding the frets then wash with alcohol before removing anything helped them stay together , yes ?

- Any other tips ?

I have lots of 'gator clips , forceps , a Hold & Fold , a great soldering iron (Weller station with temp-tip assortment) cored solder and flux .

WhiteWolf (itching to start his PE)

WW,

For the PE assembly, I have been using Zap-A-Gap and Loctite. Loctite has a stand-up type bottle with a brush inside.

Ok, after about 8+ hours of working with itty bitty p/e brass parts with my big fat fingered hands that now are all thumbs I have completed 1 front fender assembly for the Tiger.



It's going to be a long build, I can tell already. At this scale I want the detail but I don't play well with tweezers, microscopic pieces of brass and sharp objects . I'm biting the bullet though and am going to add as much as I can without going stark raving mad. Next, the right side fender, then I start cutting the kit fenders off. Will keep y'all posted.

I already hate "tweezerpult"

Eric

Blinks ...

Geeze ... I hadn't thought about making the damned fenders ~before~ making the etch ones . Woulda been in a right spot if I couldn't handle 'em and had already hacked off the originals !

Tweezer-pult ... cute . Ever tried putting a bit of that scotch clear double-sided tape on the tweezer-tips , and then sticking your finger on it a few times to lighten the stick ? Its a trick I learned a while back with my 1/35's , and a variation on the blutac-on-a-stick for painting idea .

Any other tips and tricks ?

WhiteWolf

Eric - you of course know that the Germans could build all the fenders on the real Tiger in less time than it took you to build this little bit.

What a cute little wingnut ... how fitting.

Shermie :

And they dinna charge the government $150 for the wingbolt , and another $100 for the nut !

You ever see what they charge for supposed 'Military' grade stuff that you can buy in a hardware store ?

Then again ... lesse ... at 1/16 scale , $200 (average) for the PE would make all those parts cost $3200 , but what was the US buck worth back then ?

WhiteWolf (thinking he needs sleep)

Now thats a fender!

I'm squinting already.... [:0]

Just the pieces are 1/16,
NOT the assembly time!

ed.

Fine looking fender, Eric!

Hey, I finally got an Etch Mate. Pretty cool tool.
But it ain't cheap in Japan! Cost me 8,600 yen ($78 US)!
But, I feel it's well worth the price for frustration supression alone!

I ordered an Etchmate but I think it got hijacked at the border to Canada. You'll have to let me know how you like yours

Remember :

1/16 scale = 16x smaller, but 16x the time to assemble... and 16x the frustration (Imagine if you were working in Braille scale ? thats 1/72 or smaller)

Kuma:

You shoulda ordered from the US source... or gone for the Hold & Fold. The Small Shop (thesmallshop.com) were updating the site cause the folding heads shown were incorrect, and a machining company took over the manufacture. I got mine, and its flawless. The 4" is more than enough for the Tiger Aber set.

And the Canadian/US border is slow since 9/11, especially on electronics & metal items. I had an MP3 player go 100% AWOL... luckily Canada Post coughed up for it. Ask the place you bought it from to track it.

Between Canada and the US, I go air all the time, as its ~much~ faster, but NOT as fast as they claim.

Erock's Aber...

I looked at the wingnut parts... OW, thats small [:0] I'm gonna start with the larger parts, and work down. Then do all the same kinds all in one shot (eye-bolts, wing-nuts, clasps, etc.)

I'm going off to Canadian Tire tomorrow to go looking for that Locktite Erock mentioned, and some 800 grit emery paper. Already got the alcohol from med supplies (got some neat sponge swabs too, great for painting with afterwards)

Gonna have to clear a spot on the table...

How'd you do the rivets? I'm debating a small nailset , is there something better ? Mebbe taking a few nails and a Dremel grinding bit and making rivet presses .

WhiteWolf (planning on a weekend start)

Whitewolf

I ordered thru Military Hobbies. I thought they'd be a reliable source. I called them today and they told me they sent out my package on the 16th. The big delay was that they ran out of the Aber set even though it there web site said they had them in stock. They assured me my shipment would arrive today or tomorrow. But the odd thing is they sent me an shipping email and it almost looks as if they mailed it today. I'll call up Canada mail and see if I can't confirm my shipments status. Man if they only got around to shipping it today all I can do is hope they shipped everything. If not I'll be on the phone to my credit card customer service.

Believe me if there was a US alternative I would have used them.

I've had a bad streak of luck with online retailers lately. They tell me one thing and do another. Oh well.. no sense complaining.. I'll just deal with whatever happens.

Guys :

How are you embedding those images in your posts? Or do I have to get a certain rating (up from box-stock) to do it ?

WhiteWolf (pondering a wireless cam rig)

For pressing the rivets/bolt ends in the fenders I took a small sewing needle and cut the eye off, then sanded the end smooth and rounded the edges. This was just the right size for the big rivets. I cut just a bit off the sharp end to press the centers of the small nuts the same as the other end.

NOTE THIS: When pressing the p/e parts use something hard like a piece of plexiglass or something under it. I'm using one of the pieces that came with my hold and fold. If you use something softer you can punch right through the brass. (ie cutting mat, ...trust me, I know ) The plexiglass has enough give to press out the detail without going through. Oh, if you haven't figured a way to do it yet, put the needle in a pin vise that it will bottom out on so you can lean on it.

On the wing nuts, Make a jig out of plasticard. I used a small round file to put a groove down the middle of a piece and two lengths with a brace across the top to hold them down. I tried the first one without the jig and that was 2 hrs, 1st w/n wasted, and lucked into getting the second right. i built the jig soon after.

Sorry it was so long, If I come up with any other tricks I'll let y'all know.

Eric

Kuma - Just had some stuff criss-cross the border. Some going down, some coming up. I've found that it can take up to 10 working days for a parcel to reach its destination. If your package was shipped on the 16th, start watching for it from about Friday on.

As far as Military Hobies goes, I've had no problems with them in the past, always good service.