ARMOR - Tamiya 1/16 Tiger 1 Group Build - FineScale Modeler - Essential magazine for scale model builders, model kit reviews, how-to scale modeling, and scale modeling products

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 5, 2004 10:27 PM

edog and WhiteWolf,

Thanks! I am going to pick up a badger soon. White, thanks for the input on the ABER set. I plan on using the tank as mainly an R/C unit, so I do not think I will go for the full set. Maybe just the grills, side skirts, and exhaust covers. Heck, if the get damaged, maybe it will look like battle damage :p

AIRRAID AIRRAID AIRRAID!!!

Frank

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 5, 2004 10:58 PM

Aber Update:

Well, I got my reply... (my request for track hangers) They referred me to AirConnection Disapprove [V]

I decided it couldn't hurt, so sent my request to Great Models too. I'll let ya know what happens.

Sign - Off Topic!! [#offtopic]

On the other side of the coin, things don't look so bad... Aber says the Kubel super-kit & the belt / medal set (16011) is due out any day. YES, they plan on PE for the other tanks. Bow [bow]

No hints beyond that though. Lets pray its soon. eh? Thumbs Up [tup]

I hate to flog this to death... but is ~anyone~ not gonna use their track hangers? I'll offer a good price, and can provide references! Cash on the barrelhead, guys! (&gals?) I hate to have to give $ to the retailers that could go into your pockets. Whistling [:-^]

New Distributor:

http://www.axels-modellbau-shop.de/ is a new place one of the R/C guys found, but a warning: site is in German only. And after looking at their site... forget it. 10.90 Euro for ~one~ metal-cast barrel? Build-A-Rama gives ya three painted ones for $6. The KT idler system looks interesting, but no springload, parts could be used for a better system though...

All in all, I'd say... PASS.

Frankie:

Badger aint the best ya can go... I went Paasche H-series, and its a MUCH better unit. Easier to get parts for as well. You can find them on eBay inexpensively (got one shipped from the US for 2/3 of the cost of a new one here) Plus it came with fine, medium and coarse needles, and a few bottles plus a feed-cup and braided hose. Good stainless steel parts, not aluminum like the Badger. You want a deal, look on eBay (if you trust it, I do)

If you are going to use it a lot, you'll want a decent compressor too. I'm using my old Badger 180, but I want to have an airtank made cause the compressor can't really provide a constant-enough supply. Seen some designs for converting old propane tanks, but will have to check on it (and have to snag a tank to 'play' with)

WhiteWolf

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 7:59 AM

Hey WhiteWolf,

Thanks for the info on the Aber stuff.... I'm all excited about what's coming out next by them.

About that new German Store, if you think 10.90 Euro is expensive for just 1 barrel, take a look at what he is charging online on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=44026&item=3186164871&rd=1

18.90 + 16.40 (Shipping) USD = $35.03 USD or $46 Cdn, all for one metal barrel..... LOL...the guys nuts.

I totaly agree with you on the Build-A-Rama stuff, I picked up several things from them and for thr price there stuff just can't be beat. http://www.build-a-rama.com/catalog_1_18.shtml

Anyone get there hands on the new Aber Ammo for the Tiger 1 yet? I'm tempted to get it, but the price is a little high.

BUDA

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 8:30 AM

Buda

I saw it after I posted. Those are ~solid~ aluminum drums, ~intended~ to be used as 'weights' for a tank. If I was going to buy, I'd buy ~one~, and use it to cast my own, making the majority hollow. I want to add weight, I'll use a bigger battery (like a gelcel) not add 'deadweight'.

If you look closely, the pressed ridges in the drum are overdone, to the point that the outer ridge edges are cut deeper into the drum than the surface, and the lids are too deeply cut. You can do a lot of 'experimenting' for $35.30 US! Dirk's cables are cheaper and Build-a-Rama's 'stowage' packet is more diverse. No sale here... The only interesting item is that KT idler piece, but at $30 Euro, I'll design an insert for my existing part.

Wonder why no-one has made a part for the Tiger 1 escape hatch interior... or cast/functional KT hull hatches (and Sherman ones too!), but they do the Tiger 1 parts... lack of vision perhaps?

Build-a-Rama :

Even if its properly 1/18, the stuff is close enough. The sandbags are absolutely amazing (got 3 packs here, 5 more on the way) The pack radio is neat and I'm looking at the table radio set. I bought one crate set to replicate 'em myself out of balsa or popsicle hardwood, and the camo net is easily made as well. I'll probably end up trying to make drums myself too... I'll let y'all know how things go with the Apoxie-Sculpt.

I'm asking someone about making ration & medic boxes, playing cards & maps, posters & magazines, all in proper 1/16 scale. And ~flags~ for air-recognition & antennas! Who is interested?

Re: the Aber set:

I want to know if there is just the one wooden ammo box & three shells/cases, or if its ~two~ boxes with three shells. I'm tempted to buy it as well...

WhiteWolf

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Kumy

Member since
December 2002
From: Steeler Country

Posted by Kumy on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 5:19 PM

I'd like to hear more about the air recognition flag if that comes about. I wanted to make one but so far its just been brainstorming. I've tossed around the idea of picking a fabric and airbrushing it but I just dunno if it would turn out right. Neat idea though Smile [:)]

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 8:11 PM

Decals Etc...

Well, I've been told the 'priority' was 1/16 figures, but if there is interest/demand, other items may be made. I mentioned playing cards, cigarette boxes & maps, ration & medical boxes, posters & magazines, and ~especially~ flags. He may print some stuff up and put it on his site, and if it sells, he'll make more... I'll let ya know if/when the stuff is made, but pass the word... what flags would you like?

Personally I want the German red/white/black 'stika, the USA Stars & Bars and Rebel, Brit Union Jack... and if its printed on thinner cardstock, it can be 'softened' to go limp like a flag. Two sizes, one for turret/engine deck drape, the other for the antenna.

Reply on the Aber:

Well, AirConnection replied (the Aber referral) and they say the parts are ~not~ available separately. They wont even ask Aber. Anyone know anyone that can translate English-Polish?

WhiteWolf
(still track-hanger hunting...)

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 8, 2004 9:13 AM

WhiteWolf, you know you can buy the set again, take all the pieces you have been asking for and resell all the individual frets on Ebay, you'll probably make a profit. I know it's a pain in the @ss to do all of this but in the end you will get everything you need.

I'm sure the frets would sell very quickly on Ebay, they rarely show up.

BUDA

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okieboy

Member since
July 2003
From: USA

Posted by okieboy on Thursday, April 8, 2004 3:24 PM

Hey Ya'll,

Still gathering parts for my Stug. I almost have everything nailed down, though it will probably be another month before I have everything in my hands. On the flip side, I have a computer system enroute, so in a couple of weeks I will be a picture posting fool. I'll post newer pics of my Tiger and my progress so far with the Stug.

Kuma, I'm with you on trying to make or buy an air recognition flag. I'd like to have one for my 1/15 Stug. Let me know if you come up with any ideas.

Okie

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm." George Orwell

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 8, 2004 6:12 PM

Buda:

Although that seems like a viable idea, current finances prohibit the purchase of another full set, and then the reselling of it.

I ~do~ want these parts, but at present the need of them does not pess to the point of needing to go to that extreme.

I'd hoped to obtain them from someone who has a superet and does not intend to use them, so that they might profit from parts that are essentially a 'bonus' supplied with the set.

As for the flags...

I'll pass on the interest, as I know there was a similar interest with a bunch of the RC tankers.

Metal tank shells? ~Nice~...

One of the R/C guys found this guy, and he's made scale tank ammo! Yeppers, separate round and casings...

http://www.nutsnbits.com/nutsnbits_000026.htm

The bad news is he's not interested in serious production... *sigh* Oh well, mebbe we can find someone to make us shelld & casings eventually...

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Kumy

Member since
December 2002
From: Steeler Country

Posted by Kumy on Friday, April 9, 2004 3:01 PM

Hey Okie,

Glad to hear things are going so well with the Stug project. I'm still workin on my Tiger but works been gradual.... but still having fun. I've been brainstormin sorta lately about a german air recognition flag for it..... like you'd like to do for your Stug. Been tossing around ideas on what would make a good material and how to paint it. I wanted it to have that limp wrinkled look of a real flag so it has to be thin material. And airbrushing it might make it stiff. I'd like it to be durable enough that I don't have to worry about having it on an RC tiger. If it was on a static display tiger I'd imagine tissue paper would be fine right? Just not sure if tissue paper would hold up on an RC tiger... but it doesn't sound very sturdy does it? Maybe Whitewolf can turn something up.

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okieboy

Member since
July 2003
From: USA

Posted by okieboy on Friday, April 9, 2004 6:30 PM

Hey Kuma,

I tried the tissue paper thing a few days ago. Hmmm, yeah tissue would work for a static display model, but definitely not for an R/C one. I used craft tissue paper with a 50/50 mix of water and elmers glue. The paper was very pliable and realistic, but also very fragile and prone to tearing. Once it dried, it was stiff as a board. Guess we have to find another solution for R/C models.

Okie

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm." George Orwell

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 10, 2004 7:22 AM

Kumakichi & okieboy

Heys guys have you tried this idea?
http://www.archertransfers.com/FlagInstructions.html

Only thing you have to figure out is what to print the flag onto (Thin Acetate in an Ink Jet printer could do the job), the foil will do the rest, this should work well for R/C tanks.

BUDA

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okieboy

Member since
July 2003
From: USA

Posted by okieboy on Monday, April 12, 2004 5:51 AM

Thanks Buda! I'm going to check out some options and see which one works the best for me.

Okieboy

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm." George Orwell

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 12, 2004 12:22 PM

Does Aber have a web site?
Mike

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okieboy

Member since
July 2003
From: USA

Posted by okieboy on Monday, April 12, 2004 12:48 PM

Hey Buda and Kuma,

I got two good possible solutions for the air recognition flag. One is the website offered above by Buda using Archer transfers. The other solution came from my wife. I already bought an Archer dry transfer of an oversize German air recognition flag. The wife's got a kicka$$ color printer/scanner. Using this she can scan the transfer and put the image on paper designed for iron ons. Then I can just iron the flag onto a piece of cloth.
What do you think?

Okie

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm." George Orwell

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 7:58 AM

okieboy

That sounds like a great idea!!! Okieboy, would it be possible for you to share that high res scan you used for this idea?

Rocad

Here it is: http://www.aber.net.pl/aber_english.html

BUDA

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Kumy

Member since
December 2002
From: Steeler Country

Posted by Kumy on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 8:15 AM

Really creative idea there Okie. That might be the ticket. If you give it a try let us know how it works out.

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okieboy

Member since
July 2003
From: USA

Posted by okieboy on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 9:16 AM

Buda & Kuma,

I bought the transfer paper last night and I'm waiting on the Archer transfers. I also bought some Balkancreuze to go along with it. As for sharing the scan, that would be no problem once I get my computer set up at home. If ya'll are chomping at the bit for an image though, you can check out it out at the Archer website under air recognition flags. The image itself is pretty large.

Okieboy

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm." George Orwell

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 11:38 PM

Guys:

Talked to the guys at Archer, and they might enlarge their Tiger decals to 1/16 (#155 thru 158) They also may make enlargements of their flags for us, if there is demand. I asked about other enlargements for Sherman, Pershing, Allied TD's and the King Tiger.

The bad news: They can't enlarge the uniform decals to 1/16, as they were resolution-reduced for 1/35, and blowing them up will show the lack of same.

That fabric transfer idea sounds good, but how ya gonna get both sides to match? As for what to use, I'd suggest decent-quality linen hankerchiefs.

still plugging away at the Aber set...

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 15, 2004 11:16 AM

Hi Guys,

I decided to forge ahead and atleast get the bottem part running around to make sure my radio alterations work. I will go back and add the suspention mods, paint and "POSSIBLE" aber stuff later.

What I did do was "BLUE" the metal tracks. I think they came out pretty nice. There is even some real rust from the rinse but that went away with the WD-40 I sprayed. I'm pleased with the look and after running on the ground, enough of the blueing should wear away to make it look more realistic.

Now to get the radio altered and the shift gate ordered, then I chase the dog...i mean test the bottem half.

Mike

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okieboy

Member since
July 2003
From: USA

Posted by okieboy on Thursday, April 15, 2004 12:01 PM

Sounds cool Rocad. I like the idea of blueing the tracks. As for a reverse image for my air recognition flag, that's deceptively easy. The copier/printer/fax/scanner can flip or reverse images. So all I have to do it reverse the image and create two transfer images: reverse and obverse. I'll let ya'll know what happens when I get the transfers in the mail.

Okieboy

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm." George Orwell

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 16, 2004 9:45 AM

Hi,

Has anyone been in contact with BACKYARD ARMOR recently? I ordered my suspension a month ago. I sent 1 email over a week ago and another one yesterday and I still get no responce???? I have also been calling today and can only get a message machine.

I just wana make sure before I start the refund process via PayPal & American Express.

Mike

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 16, 2004 12:06 PM

Hi Rocad,

I wouldn't worry too much about your order, I'm sure you'll recieve it. (I got my Tiger 1 tracks about a month ago, I have also been in contact with them about 10 days ago through email).

Just phone again and leave your information and I'm sure someone will get in touch with you.

If you have checked the website lately you might have noticed that they are expanding there product line to include the following:

Elite Armor Idler Kits (Tamiya 1/16)
Elite Armor Road Wheels (Bandai 1/15)
Elite Armor Road Wheels (Tamiya 1/16)
Elite Armor Gear Upgrade (Bandai 1/15)

And I have also noticed that they have put a few items on a 2 week wait period. They must be extremely busy getting all of this together. Have also heard that they might be offering a JagdTiger conversion package with PE for the Tamiya King Tiger come this July.

Hope this helped.

BUDA

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okieboy

Member since
July 2003
From: USA

Posted by okieboy on Saturday, April 17, 2004 12:18 PM

Yeah, I wouldn't worry too much about backyardarmor. I also bought metal tracks from them for my Stug and about a month later they arrived. In fact, I think the very day I tried to call them, the darned things showed up! I'm dying to find out what the road wheel and armor upgrade entail for the Bandai kits. If you have any idea, let me know because I need some specific parts for my Stug.

Okie

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm." George Orwell

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 11:57 AM

So Rocad, any news about the suspension kit from BYA?

BUDA

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 3:23 PM

Hi Buda,

Just as okieboy said... I just got them today! I still wish someone could have answered ANY of the emails I sent but atleast I have the items.
Kit looks pretty good. I'm actually not even sure if I should have bought them! I got the bottem half of my tank running this past weekend and am not sure just how "bad" the existing system is. Not sure that when/if I do install them, just how I'm gona adjust them. I mean, what's correct?
Will write more after I have had a chance to work on things more!

Mike

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 9:46 PM

Well...

Just got my SkySport 4VF FM (on ch67 - 75.530) from ArmorNut, and the sucker is ~nice~. Now I need a few Deans antennas. Gonna test my Sherman rig tomorrow once I get a charged pack. Now I can start dumping most of that AM gear...

My parts are on the way from Willy, so I may be able to field-test the Tiger-bait (thinking the M4 word is taboo here) in two weeks...

Now I just need the reinforcement plates, and I'm good to go... ~after~ I get the gearboxes for the Tiger... or I could use the KT boxes and DMD in the T1... decisions decisions...

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okieboy

Member since
July 2003
From: USA

Posted by okieboy on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 8:08 AM

Hey Rocad,

Let us all know how those suspension upgrades work. I talked to a fellow in our tank club regarding them. He has a KT and he used silicon caulk on the inside of the hull at all the tension arm sockets. Apparently this gives the suspension some extra cushion and resiliency. I know it sounds ridiculously simple, but I had to throw it out there because this guy is an engineering genius.
Now for the exciting stuff. My plan to make an air recognition flag works! Scanned the dry transfer, copied a reverse and obverse image onto iron on paper and then applied both images to a handkerchief. Looks great and sufficiently dirty as well. Now all I have to do is figure out a way to soften and wrinkle it up.

Okie

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm." George Orwell

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 6:10 PM

My fault Okie...

When I mentioned the handkerchief, I should have said a ~used~ one... not a new one. Here is a trick they used in "To Live & Die in LA": Toss the 'flag' into some water, and get it good and wet... mebbe toss in some liquid fabric softener. Then into the dryer with a load of ~poker-chips~ (cheap dollar store ones will do) The chips do the same as stones do for softening jeans, but not nearly as harmful to your dryer!

Are you gonna do other flags, and whats your cost on it? Having no color scanner, printer, and to be honest, no iron, this method wont work for me... but I'd pay someone... Can we see the results?

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okieboy

Member since
July 2003
From: USA

Posted by okieboy on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 8:45 PM

The handkerchief was used. It has to be without any starch, sizing, or fabric softener for the iron on to take. No, I think the reason it's so stiff is the fact that I've applied an iron on to two sides of the fabric. I'll soften it up with some warm water and perhaps some fabric softener once it's safe for the image. As for costs, you need the copier, the special paper, the image itself, and an iron of course. I haven't calculated the cost but it's a pain the butt. I'll get pics up very soon. My computer arrives tomorrow, so I'll post pics of the Tiger and progress of my Stug!

Okieboy

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm." George Orwell

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ARMOR - Tamiya 1/16 Tiger 1 Group Build