ARMOR - Tamiya 1/16 Tiger 1 Group Build

ANYONE :

If you have Type 1 boxes in your Tiger , and want to upgrade , let me know , I'll make an offer on your 1's . I've got two sets of HPC's looking for boxes to go in , one set for my static Tiger 1 , and one in another kit . Dave Haddad ( dave4What.com ) has them in stock , and is a really nice guy .

Also :

I have both Tamiya and Aber grilles , so one set will become spare . Anyone need a set ?

ERush :

I thought of that method too , but you waste at ~least~ one bolt . I aint counted to see if they supply any spares . you buy a set , count me in for one tap .

Now filing a notch into a nut to make a die , thats worth saving the $24 !

I'll ask my people for a supplier , and we'll co-ordinate on the 1mm nuts ( will need a few spare for 'dies' ) and the bolts for hacking up . I'll check the kit to see what the optimal length for them would be .

Problem : Watch Out !

Anyone else encountered this yet ? I snapped one of the smoke discharger arms off the roof during one mounting , and I'm pondering replacing 'em with metal . Also snapped one of the rear hold-down tabs by the stowage bins . gonna have to build 'em out of metal too .

Highly Recommended :

If you have not started gluing yet , and unsteady with a tube , try using one of the liquid-solvent glues ( Like Tenax-R ) and the Touch-n-Flow , which is a super-fine needle-tube attached to a glass tube reservoir . You can add solvent glue a ~small~ drop at a time , or run a bead along a seam ! ( perfect for those do-it-yourself weld seams ! )

I had a glue-problem with my old Sherman ( RT1601 ) and suspect it had absorbed some of the mold-release from sitting almost 30 years . No tube-glue would hold ! Even CA refused . Bought some of Canadian/generic version of Tenax , and it did the trick !

And the kicker ? It even bonds Lexan/polycarbonate , ABS and that funky stuff in the German kits ( Robbe & Graupner)

WhiteWolf

Okay,

I get off work in one hour.... I have the next THREE WHOLE DAYS OFF! There will be some major building going on!!!!
It's been killing me that I haven't been able to do much this whole week, so now it's time to get down to "bidnessI". Hopefully some of my packages will arrive soon: Aber grill set, Aluminum barrel, air brush, transmitter and now a new Type 4 gearbox...Ugh!I'll have the wife send pictures next week. Talk to you all on Tuesday!

Roy

QUOTE: Originally posted by Erock68 They gave me some excuse that it didn't ship until Thursday. I had them give me a tracking number this time and indeed, it has shipped.

You're set now Eric!!

(your other brother)
Eric

Okie,

They are the all-metal gears.

I also called MilitaryHobbies (again) since the PE was a no-show again today. They gave me some excuse that it didn't ship until Thursday. I had them give me a tracking number this time and indeed, it has shipped. I also had them wipe out the shipping charge from my bill.

Shermanfreak will be glad to know that, my DML-Dragon Sherman Vc FireFly arrived today. I am actually thinking of opening it up and making it my next project.

Erock,

Another question for you bro. Are the gears in your gearbox all metal, or are the greay ones plastic? I can't tell from your picture. Apparently those are the Type 4's. Thanks.

Roy

Hello guys,

Erush, thank you, but no thank you on the taps. I'm fine exactly where I am now. The last thing I want to do is get any more technical on this bad boy than I already am!

Hey all, this transmission issue is now making my head hurt! Ugh. I never thought this kit would be able to chew up so much cash. I guess that's why they call it the Tiger! Enjoy your day off Erock!

Roy

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk Erush, thanks for the very kind offer bro, but I ain't tappin' nuthin'! That's one of the many crazy things Aber wants us to do that I'm rebelling against! Unless you want to be able to remove your fenders and exhaust shrouds, I see no point in tapping for all those bolts. I'm just gonna drill and glue. Have ya'll figured me out yet? Yup! One very lazy modeler, I'm! But I'm havin' fun!

I hear you Hulk, I get kind of excited about being able to make something that "works" on a model sometimes but I usually get frustrated before it's done I imagine after tackling some of that Aber I'll be ready to throw a tap out the window. I still haven't really made up my mind on it, I was going to see how many wanted the taps and if it'd be worth it to order them. I'll see if okie wants one and maybe I'll do it since Whitewolf wants one.

I had thought about cutting a notch in the end of one of the screws and see if it would self tap too... (that's what I get for thinking )

Fun is what it's all about and I thought hobbies were supposed to be "lazy"

Eric

Erush, thanks for the very kind offer bro, but I ain't tappin' nuthin'! That's one of the many crazy things Aber wants us to do that I'm rebelling against! Unless you want to be able to remove your fenders and exhaust shrouds, I see no point in tapping for all those bolts. I'm just gonna drill and glue.

Have ya'll figured me out yet?

Yup!

One very lazy modeler, I'm!
But I'm havin' fun!

Erock No problem but let me know if you decide you want one.

On your Aber set, I forget who you ordered from but I'd call Airconnection, see if they have one in stock and if they do I'd cancle your other order if it hasn't gone out the door yet and get it from AC. Mine came within a week of ordering.

Oh, and enjoy your day off!

Eric

Eric,

I am set, thanks for the offer though!

Reading all these posts, is making my head hurt I have the day off from work today so, I will see if there is anything I can move forward on. Hopefully, the PE will be here today. If not, I am going to be one ANGRY customer

WhiteWolf I might get the taps and if I do I'll be glad to send you one.

Erock, Okie, Hulk Do y'all want me to get 2 sets and send y'all one each also? I'd be glad to do it so just holler (or e-mail if you like, I'm a little hard of hearing ).

I think I'm going to try to find a supplier of 1mm brass bolts and cut them off for the threaded rods too. I'll let y'all know if I find some.

Eric

WhiteWolf Red Deer, Alberta

QUOTE: Originally posted by WhiteWolf McBride J-Hulk : Do ya know if it was a 56005 Basic or a 56014 Loaded ? The Loaded one was a bit closer to scale . Mebbe someone had tweaked the throttle trim ...

WWMcB,
No idea what version the Sherm was. Tamiya just all the RC tanks up on the roof of Tamiya HQ, and you could just have at 'em. They were all loaded with the battle systems, too, and they had a little 1/25 T-34 rigged up to flash and shake when it took a "hit." (pretty cool T-34: clear smoky green plastic!)
Fun!

erush :

I'll take one of the taps off yer paws if you want to order a set . I tried to get a shipping/handling screen , but no dice .

If no-one else is game , can someone call them ( area 312 is where? ) and ask what the shipping cost for a set to Canada would be ( USPS please , UPS overcharges us )

I'll pass on the dies , $24 is too high . I could chop up 1mm bolts for less .

I'm gonna take my 1mm's in to the LHS and see how close I can get in SAE brass bolts . That may just be a cheaper way to go .

Anyone know a bulk-supplier of small brass hardware ?

WhiteWolf

Whitewolf and the rest Taps Here's the link I found...now as you can see by the price difference they can't be quality high speed taps and dies but maybe they'll stand up to tapping some Super Glue or solder and cutting threads on copper wire.

http://www.bartcotools.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=BCI&Category_Code=W63

The taps are part no. 1967/C1 and the die is 2274/E3. I can't decide if I'm gonna give them a try or draw the line there..

Sorry it took me so long to find the link, I forgot where I put it

I'm going to try to get my Marder mostly done this weekend but I have Reserves so it's going to be hard to find time anyway...but when I do I'm cleaning house to make room for the Tiger I on the desk

Eric

Here is the decal sheet that WhiteWolf had sent:

J-Hulk :

Do ya know if it was a 56005 Basic or a 56014 Loaded ? The Loaded one was a bit closer to scale . Mebbe someone had tweaked the throttle trim ...

One of the guys over here managed to get one of the Trumpeters as a demo , and it didn't compare well to a Tamiya ; then again , a Bandai doesn't either .

The one thing I'd like to see : a mode-switch that allowed you to shift from a throttle/steer control system to a throttle/throttle system . They'd be harder to drive , but it'd make the driving more realistic .

Hi-IQ here in Canada makes a unit , the T2000 , but its a Rx/ESC , 4ch AM , twin-throttle plus 2 channels . I want a 2-in-1 reversable ESC .

PS : ERock :

Gonna put up a 'spare parts for trade page ? I know I'll have plastic & Aber to trade or sell .

Another thing : We want trucks ! Use the 1/14 semi parts , new rims & tires , & presto : a deuce & 1/2 ! A Jeep wouldn't be bad either ( but put a Tamtech CPR in it ! )

Hello, WhiteWolf!

Hmmm...coulda sworn the Sherman I drove had a little more grace to it than the big kitties...maybe it was just my smooth touch on the controls!

Next 1/16 release? I read in Armor Modeling last year that a Panther or T-34/85 was being considered, but when I talked to Mr. Tamiya last May at the Shizuoka Hobby Show, he said nothing has been decided about a new tank at all (including whether or not they're even gonna do one).
Of course, he coulda just been yanking my crank! Like he's gonna give ME the latest scoop on hs hot new releases or something! Very, very nice man, though, that Mr. Tamiya.

I don't understand why they don't just go ahead re-release the old Leopard and Gepard kits, regardless of any new releases!!

The 1/16 Trumpeter T-34/85 static kit is quite a nice (one of my club-mates got a "test-kit", somehow), and appeared to be rigged internally for later RC gear addition.


Thanks again for all the good info, WWMcB!

J-Hulk :

The Tiger's seemed fast cause they ~are~ . Tamiya only began addressing the out-of-scale speed problems with the Pershing , and still don't have it fixed with the new King Tiger .

Put a set of the new King Tiger boxes ( Type 4's as we R/Cers call 'em ) into it , and it'll perform a lot closer to scale . Even the Shermans are fast , and benefit from this same swapout .

Besides the site mentioned for the tranny mods , we also suggest swapping the stock 380's for Zagi 400's . They are a better motor , and at about $8 each , worth it . BUT BE CAREFUL : getting that pinion off aint easy , and they don't sell pinions or motors alone , only ~complete~ gearbox assemblies .

We're looking to see if we can find a supplier of 0.6 pitch 9 or 10 tooth pinions , as this will allow us to drop the ratios right at the motor . If you know someone , Let Us Know !

Hey Shermie , e-mail me and let me know where ya are ?

Apologises for the Sherman-chatter and pulling talk off-topic

Hey J-Hulk ... what are your bets on the next tank ?

Over here in North America I'd guess the odds-guesses are about 40% Panther , 40% Leopard 2A5 , & 20% T34 . I think Tamiya is smart enough to stick with WW2 , especially with the Battle Units in play . Besides , if they do leave '39-'45 , they'd re-release the Leopard 1A4 or Gepard with MultiFunction , right ?

WhiteWolf ( who needs to start his Aber set ! )

Hey folks!
WhiteWolf, thanks again for the 1/16 Sherm-formation!
I'm seriously thinking about getting the Tamiya kit now. At the Tamiya factory last May I got a chance to test drive all the RC tanks, and the Pershing and Sherman were my faves as far as scale driving went. Slow and cool! To be honest, the Tiger I was way too "kibbles and bits" for me. Like a jackrabbit! Still, with a light touch, it can move slow and cool too. Most of the guys I watched drive it (didn't get much time on the Tiger myself) just hotrodded it all over the place. No dignity whatsoever!

Shermanfreak, sorry 'bout that! Should have called you in immediately! Particularly since my Sherman knowledge is casual to say the least.

And a hearty hello to all!

The 17th annual Armor Modeler's Conference in Kansai is this Sunday, so I'm touching up a coupla kits to make a modest showing (the ol' E-100 and a li'l 1/76 JS-II diorama). Armor Modeling staffers Doi-san and Kaneko-san (master modelers, to say the least!) will be there, as well as famous figure sculpter Hirano-san. We kick off the event with a big drink-up Saturday night, with the show on Sunday. We should have the pix from that show up in a coupla weeks; I'll let you know when they're up. The theme this year is "Tai-kuu sensha" (Anti-aircraft tanks). There'll be plenty of those, and more!

Later, folks!

Box1 :

From what I understand , they are out of production . There was not enough demand and the assembly of the gears was too labor intensive ( they soldered two gears together )

Besides , that only addresses the ~speed~ problem ,not the weakness of the plastic gear after the final-drive steel gear .

The other kit noted did stiffen the front end , but Bob Wroe engineered a kit that did the same as both of those kits for $65 (US) shipped . The only problem was it required the use of the HPC gears , and those require a special order from HPC in Britain . You want his e-mail , let me know .

There are some sets around , if you can find them . I know of one person with some , but I'll have to ask him before I shoot his addy off . Last I heard his cost on them was $57 (US) plus shipping .

If you don't care about the over-speed , the Type 4's are the way to go , as someone already is considering making replacement gears for that one vulnerable one . There may even be a possibility of talking Tamiya into making that gear available separately .

J-Hulk :

Yea , thats what the Elite Armor one is gonna be like , though I don't think the transom mods & exhaust deflector are going to be included , but they dont look too difficult to scratch .

I'm gonna try to snag the new Dragon Easy eight kit , as I've heard the detail on the HVSS suspension is amazing . Till then , my Tamiya stands in its place .

I'm still looking for all the right bits to replicate Tamiya's 1/16 , as none of their 1/35's matches the 1/16 (stupid, as all the other's are matched in 1/35)

Taps !

I got my quote , and its rediculous . $60 Canadian for a single tap ? You don't wanna know what the dies were worth .

Who saw the 3 for $12 ones , and where ? I want some ! That or I've gotta swap it all out for SAE (a real pain)

Let me know !

Erock

You were asking about gear upgrades, i found this artical when it was looking for them myself.

http://www.homepurchaseprogram.com/transmod.html

Just a moment of brilliance surrounded by ...... well ..... no I'm out numbered so I won't say it.

Sherm,

You know you are always welcome in the Tiger build

Not quite sure how it started to turn toward the Allied side though, maybe it's recon for targets

I'm so hurt .... almost crushed ...... Shermie talk and I wasn't invited ... sniff sniff.

Oh well .... got over that real quick.

Now to wade into the E8 / HVSS debate.

M4A1 (76) W HVSS - was produced but probably never saw service in W.W.II overseas. Was mostly used on the home front by reserve units for training. some were shipped overseas post W.W.II

M4A2 (76) W HVSS - also was produced. May (and I do repeat may) have seen service as a lend lease with the Soviets. Was supplied to Canada after W.W.II

M4A3 (76) HVSS - the most common configuration served in W.W.II with the American forces late in the war. Served in Korea with the American and Canadian forces also.

M4 (105) HVSS - served in W.W.II and possibly Korea

M4A3 (105) HVSS - served in W.W.II and Korea

I saved the best for last
M4 (76)W HVSS - although there are none documented as being built that I know of, I do have a picture of a museum piece in Italy. This could of course be a post war configuration or pieces parts stuck together.

One thing I have learned ... never say it didn't exist with the Sherman.

Roy,

I got the 4 channel Futaba Attack radio from Tower Hobbies. I believe it was $109.00

Hiya guys,

J-Hulk, yeah the hangers arrived fine a couple of days ago in perfect condition. And thank you for the card.
I drilled the holes in the turret today before I came to work. Thank you so much. They are awesome!

Erock, thank you for the extra links! My monster's slowly taking shape. I just need some time off to sit down
and start the zimmerit! I bought a jeweler's saw today to help with reconfiguring the front deck of the Tiger and I
scratch-built the bracket holding the single front headlight.
Question for you about your radio: Where did you buy it and how much did you spend? I'm looking now for mine.

As for the gears, I'm not all that freaked out if my tank is a little faster than scale. That's nominal to me.
I only worry about breaking it!

Roy

Sure, if you need an image hosted send me an email:

erock68@adelphia.net

No bubbles busted, WhiteWolf!
I know the Tamiya Sherman is right with the 105, I just don't happen to like that version. That's why I called it "chubby!"
Fat 105!

Specifically, I want to build the M4A3 76mm HVSS Sherman as it served with the JGSDF in the 50's and 60's, and I as have already modeled in 1/35 with the Dragon/Hasegawa kit (which calls it an M4A3E8). The Elite Armor stuff is just right, as it was the Korean War Shermans that Japan got from the US after the war. Wonder what that conversion set's gonna cost...

Here's a coupla pix of the Dragon/Hasegawa kit:




Thanks for all the valuable info, WhiteWolf. You really know your 1/16!
And tanks!

J-Hulk :

Sorry to bust yer bubble , but the M4 105mm as Tamiya made it is right . I can show you images of a preserved one over in the Netherlands .

Now , if you wanted an M4A3E8 , properly it never existed on the battlefield . That was the name for the prototype M4 that got the T23 turret & Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension (HVSS), and it happened to be an A3 . Thats why you'll see the alternate designation for the M4A3 76mm HVSS as "Easy Eight". Its the only Sherman 76mm w/ HVSS that deserves that designation .

As for 'kits' , not only do you need the turret & barrel , but you need the engine deck too ! Its to swap from a Continental radial-powered M4 to the Ford GAA-powered M4A3 . The only people that supply the whole shebang is Elite Armor , distributed by backyardarmor.com EA also supplies a decal set , but its all Korean era units . Someone is thinking of making a WW2 set though ( same guys that make the decals for this turret )

if Erock can gimme some space (and his addy) , I'll e-mail an image of the decal sheet to him .

WhiteWolf " M4-Master " McBride