ARMOR - Tamiya 1/16 Tiger 1 Group Build

Eric and Erush,

I attributed the fine work on the hatch to the wrong person I think. As I read back, it looks like Erush deserves credit for the fine job on the hatch!

I started building my tank Jan 1. I got up to the step to install the gear towers and I went back to review Armourconcepts website. I've decided that I'm going to do the Transmod on the Tiger1. I'll ordered the parts today.

Since the gears can't be installed, I've moved on to the exterior detail parts from the aber kit. I'm trying to stay close to the kits instruction steps so I'm working on the front drivers plate and fenders. The aber kit doesn't say how to put the fenders together, but I guess it's with a glue. I didn't see anything about soldering them. Ideas??

I'm in the same boat as Whitewolf. I'm trying to find a source for the 1mm bolts that are in the Aber kit. As I looked through the instruction, I saw a number of used for the 1mm bolt besides the fenders. It would make attaching various parts much easier than outlined in the Aber instructions.

Irontrail

Irontrail:

From what I was lead to understand from the RC groups I'm in, the Armor Concepts Transmod is no longer available. If you get a reply to the contrary, please update us.

We've found a better way of bracing the gearboxes from torque (not only between the boxes but fore-aft as well... we missed that at first) A 2.5mm (or thereabouts) hardened aluminum plate is bolted to the belly, and with countersunk holes allows you to replace most of the belly bolts with countersink ones. Willy over at www.CustomRCModels.com has 'em up on his site, and can fit you out with metric countersinks too.

He also has gear reduction kits, new 'Black German' motors and allen-key'd pinions.

Good luck on the bolts, I never found a supplier, but if you don't mind reaming the holes, the heads of 00-80's are the same and can be found at www.microfasteners.com , then after using those where it says 1mm's, use the 1mm bolts elsewhere.

Anyone thats gonna order, let me know...

I've secured my gearboxes, JC over in Montreal has a set he'll sell me!

WhiteWolf

WhiteWolf:

Man, I wish I could but, I must be the only one on the planet without a CD burner YET

I can send you an email with a pretty good step by step for the painting and weathering.

There are two of us left, Eric.
I'm CD-burnerless as well.

Latch, the only problem with replacing those "bolts" with real ones is they all hinge on a wire and swing out if you make them functional. It's not that hard to assemble them using my method.

WhiteWolf, just ask if you have a question on something. I don't want to go back through all I've done so far but I'll be glad to answer questions as you have them. For the wing nuts I made a little jig out of a square of plasticard with a groove runing through it. I lay the wingnut across the groove, press the centers down with a needle layed flat then press the "wings" back down while holding with the needle. Then to bend them together I hold one side in the groove, bend the other up then slide it on the needle and work it from there. You still have to be careful as they'll break apart easy.

Irontail, welcome to the build! You can use solder or CA to build the fenders (and every thing else for that matter) on the Aber set. They mention soldering on a lot of stuff but I don't know how to solder good enough for this so I've been using CA. It's not as strong but works. I'm doing the same as you, following the kit instructions and doing the Aber as I go. One suggestion, don't attach the front fenders after you build them up. Leave the wire hinges loose so you can take them back off, I've broken mine more times when working on the rest of the kit. Get them and the hinge points set on the hull then remove the fender till your ready to assemble everything. I've started doing that on all the larger p/e part now.

Edit: Also editing more of my old photo links off and on if y'all see it showing me posting
Eric

Hi guys.

As soon as I get some good practice in on my 1/35 Panther I hope to join your build on my RC 1/16 Tiger.

My Uncle happened to have two RC Tiger kits so he gave me one for Xmas since I love German armor. Needless to say, I have to make sure I build it right so he does not think that gift was a waste. Right now he has a real nice RC King and RC Tiger, I am very impressed by his, and then I came to Erock’s site and saw all those on build. I only hope I can come close.

Since my paint experience is limited, I was thinking more or doing a simple paint scheme like the factory grey or something “new”. I won’t be starting the Tiger until I feel I have some good experience with finishing up my Panther.

Then if it looks good enough, I hope to add my model to the group profile.

Welcome to the forum and the build Drew. There is a Panther build going on right now if you want to join in with them and get some tips as you finish up. Feel free to ask for any help when you get started on your Tiger also. It's an awesome kit!

Eric

Hi Guys

Regarding the tips on the 1/16 PE, somebody should try to find out who the modeler was that built the "ABER TIGER ", and pick his brains on the subject. If anybody knows how its done he's the man.

Regards Keith

Hi Whitewolf,

Evidently Armour Concepts is available. I used PayPal and ordered the parts and I got a positive response. He asked if I had the updated gear boxes that have black cover and I do. When I bought the kit from Dave 4 What I mentioned that I was gonig to do the mods to the gear box and re-motor. He stated that the new Tiger II gear box was the same and for $50 bucks he would swap them out. So now I don't know if Amour Concepts is applicable out not.

Eric-I shall test my soldering skills on a couple of pieces and see how it goes. Remember the motto-the bigger the blob, the better the job. You definitly need a CD-burner or a DVD-burner. I picked mine up at what is euphemistically known as a computer swap meet for $60. I have a digital camera (maybe) and the only way to safely store the images is on CD or DVD.

Later, Kevin

Erock & J-hulk:

You want a good burner that will do everything except write DVD's? The LG 4320b is eisa format (uses standard onboard HDD controllers) and runs great. its 40 x 10 x 32 CDRW + 16x DVD player. If you have to move up, think the newest 'low-end' one is 52 x 24 x 52 CDRW +16x DVD, and listas here ay $90 Cdn (OEM Express)

The CD players alone list at 52x for $30 (new)

I got the LG 4320 about 15 months ago, paid $160 Cdn for it. Last list I saw locally a few weeks ago said $40 Cdn. The LG ones are great, and some of them may handle the new super-CD's (90+mins) that Ritec and a few others make.

Find a place that liquidates new-but-no-longer-best hardware, and snag one. I've had one, and so far, NO coasters!! You'll want Nero too, as the supplied program is garbage.

End of

Too fraggin cold to do anything but curl up under the covers
(cause the f'in thermostat is buggered; yea, called the super)

WhiteWolf

PS: Not only was the thermostat buggered, but the boiler went out. I gotta buy a space heater...

Hi Eric & the rest of the Guys (hard to list you all}
have been following the group build (Fantastic !!!), my wife got me a Tiger 1 for Cristmas and with all your Tips and ideas I have nearly compleated it. Just the weathering to do. My first Model for twenty years
and the only time I have tried to make them look old & worn.
Thanks again
Mike

p.s how can I post some pics

Mike,

You will need to upload your pictures to a host site (like Homestead, etc) Once you know what the image URL is, you can then post here (you can't post them directly off your computer)

If you want to, you can email me the pictures and I will get them posted here for you.

WhiteWolf...

I was looking at an Iomega CD-RW, USB 2.0 for about $100.00. I might pick it up. I just installed the USB 2.0 card in my 'puter so I can get a better data transfer rate.

I saw a few at NewEgg.com (where I get all my computer stuff online) and they were "Out of Stock" on the few I liked. I really want to get all my Armor reference pics on disk, in case something happens. As it stands, I have 4500 pics to burn [:0]

Well, I finally got a CD-RW. I went with Iomega's 48x 24x 48x drive. I had to install a new USB card that handles 2.0

I copied all my pictures to a CD and it only took about 30 seconds Walmart had the drive on sale for $89.00. Definately worth it.

Can definately put this to some good use!

Hmmm...now I just gotta find a Wal-Mart here in Osaka...

Heh heh!

Yeah, you'd NEVER find computer parts in Japan...

QUOTE: Yeah, you'd NEVER find computer parts in Japan...

Ok, Here's a couple more progress pics on the Tiger. The brackets with the clamps were very difficult to get the center piece inside the outer piece and get the curves lined up right. I finally got them pretty close though.





That's a good CD-RW drive Eric. You'll be happy with that one and that's a good price too!

Eric

QUOTE: Originally posted by erush Ok, Here's a couple more progress pics on the Tiger. The brackets with the clamps were very difficult to get the center piece inside the outer piece and get the curves lined up right. I finally got them pretty close though. Eric

Eric:
those brackets look great !
by the time these big beasties r done, it's going 2 b next 2
impossible 2 tell that they're not real ones, i think !
just how big is a 1/16 Tiger, anyhow ? about 2 feet long or so ?

a tip of the cap 2 all of u who r doing this build,
it's very impressive 2 see such work !

thanx 4 sharing ur efforts !

frosty

Thanks Frosty!

The hull on the 1/16th Tiger close to 1 1/2 feet I'd say, haven't actually measured so may be a little less. For a good reference the cutting matt it's resting on in that second pic has a grid...each square is 1/2 in. It is one big Kitty, I'll say that. Just remember, you won't see this kindof detail on a 1/35 kit from me, I'm not that crazy!!

Eric

Having started building some of this PE I can truly say that Erush you are very talented. I pulled my hair out trying to build those wingnuts... they are just evil. Really enjoying seeing your pic's. Your Tiger is going to look terrific.

Thanks Kuma! I agree the wingnuts were a bear to start with along with some of the other stuff. It gets easier after you do a couple, break em, throw them, watch the flash as they "tweezerpult" from the known universe. You'll find a technique that works for you after a few though they are still easy to break. Just keep at it but take it slow, take a break when you need it!! Show us some progress pics as you get going!

Eric

Hi Guys,

FYI---I found 1mm hex bolts at a shop in Oak Lawn, IL. It's a hobby store that sells kits and z-scales trains. These are very small trains. Anyway, the site is home.earthlink.net/~mmmodels/trains1.html. I stumbled across this when I did a google search for micro fasteners. It is on the third page with a heading of z-scale. I want to use these instead of making the bolts that are required in the Aber kit. It is not a problem to drill and tap for 1mm.

Armour Concepts is alive and well. I ended up not getting the kit as Garnik said that since I had the gears with the black covers that his kit wasn't needed. I am disappointed as I was looking forward to adding these great looking parts.

ERIC--I am glad that I followed your reasoning for getting the Etch-Mate. What a world of help this device is. In the few parts that I have bent to far, I wouldn't even be where I'm at without it. I've got one to the front fenders done. It took a bit to get the hang of folding the pins that will hold the fender itself. The hinges were esier to fold than I thought. I clamped one side in teh Etch-Mate and used the razerblade and tweezers to fold the hinges. -- CD burners are a must for storage. I carry my digital each time I go to work. You never know what your going to run across and I'm taking pictures all the time. I just continue the session when I back up my photos. I get my camera back from Canon around Feb 2-3.--

ERUSH--I'm going to stumbled down the road you just did when I get to the brackets. What a find piece of work getting all that done.

Irontrail

Thanks for the advice and encouragement Eric. I'll keep trying with those wingnuts! To be honest I have enjoyed working with the PE very much. I just wish I had more time to do it.

Works been a killer lately and doesn't look like its going to let up anytime soon. But I'm determined not to keep me from spending some time building.

One of my stumbling blocks is that even though I bought some extra reference materials I still haven't picked out which Tiger I'm trying to model. And I'd really like to try and do a specific Tiger. Their are so many good ones out there. Everytime I think I've decided I end up looking thru those books again...hehe. One very cool side benefit is that I've learned so many new and interesting things about the Tiger. I guess old dogs can still learn something

Everybody's Tigers have turned out so nice... makes me jealous

Irontrail:

Wanna check that link? I tried it, and got a page not found from Earthlink.

And Erush has a point: The ones for the latches aren't just bolts, they are eye-bolts... but your source is a welcome note. I'd been looking for ages with no luck.

WhiteWolf
(stalled as he's awaiting main drive parts)

Hey Kuma,

If you're undecided as to whcih specific Tiger to build, then why limit yourself? I mean, why not take those aspects from the Tigers you really like and create your own Tiger from all of them? I kinda did that with mine and found that it fit perfectly with the 101st Heavy battalion in Western Europe. I also like the fact that I didn't pidgeon-hole myself with one specific tank and crew; it gives me more latitude that way. Just a thought.

Okieboy

Hey Okieboy,

How ya been? I really like the way your Tiger turned out. You had some very nice touches. Have you had er out and running? Its been insanely cold here lately... bad Tiger weather.... well.. more like bad driver weather

Thanks for advice....and I can really see what you mean. I think what happened is I picked up a few new books and all of a sudden had this wealth of pictures and info to look at! I picked up a couple of those Restayne (spelling?) Tiger books and a couple other ones like Tigers in the Mud and this other one and it just got me all turned around

I'm in the process of building the Tiger 2 full option kit and was wondering if anyone knows of a supplier of photo etched parts for it? I know Aber make a great deal for the Tiger 1 but not specifically the 2. Any ideas on what Tiger 1 sets I could use on the Tiger 2?

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks, Morgan

Heya Kuma,

I've been busy like you. My Tiger runs great. I've been running it around the house in the dining room. I've also done a little bit more work to it since I finished it: I mixed up a "dust coat" in acrylics and softened the paint scheme. Made it look a lot more subdued and dusty. I also found some fall colored lichens to add foliage to the exterior. Yeah, the Restayne books are great. They actually have color representations, which is why I bought them. The Tamiya battle system is about to get a trial by fire in Feb., as I plan on going to the next tank battle in Danville, VA. I'll be sure to take lots of pics for ya'll. Anyone else here plan on going?

Hiya Morgan, Aber makes some PE for the Tiger 2, but no huge complete set like the ones that they offer for the Tiger I. I'd also check out the various armor and model sites and look at their link pages. Model Masters LLC make a lot of custom work like tow cables. Good luck.

Okie

Morgan, first off, welcome to FSM. To answer your question, I don't know of any aftermarket p/e sets for the King Tiger. I think Tamiya might make a set of screens for the engine deck but I'm not sure. That's all I know of, though there are sources for metal tracks, aluminum barrels (if you have the old kit wihthout), and other odds and ends. Sorry I'm not much help, some of the other guys may have more info for you.

Eric

Glad to hear it Okie,

Best of luck at Danville... take lots of pictures!

Was wondering something..... didn't Aberdeen have a Tiger I? But now they don't? Did they lend there Tiger to someone? I'm a little confused.... but hoping to visit Aberdeen this summer.... would love to hear they have a Tiger I or King Tiger there

Kuma

I believe Aberdeen did have a Tiger I a few years ago, but I'm pretty sure that I heard that it was sent back to Germany. I've didn't see a King Tiger up there the last time. (2 yrs ago.)