Tiger II, late version

[Finnmodeler]

This model is advancing in it's own pace, too. At first I was tempted to convert this to March'45 version but as no one-link tracks and 18-teeth drive sprockets are available, I decided to build this as Jan-Feb'45 version.

Here is some of the things done so far.
Back plate is modified quite heavily as wooden jack block and jack itself are deleted. I also have removed towing hooks? and opened started crank hatch.
http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=10489&img=Late_backplate.JPG

Engine deck is in halfway now with some painting done. PE grilles added as well as fire extinguisher got some detail parts, too. All the tool holes in turret and hull are going to be filled with putty. I'll make all tool holders from Part PE set or sb. Fuel venting pipes are added to front, rear ones are on workbench. Pilz were relocated to correct places for late version. Spare antenna holder from right side was removed and will be sb. Some stretched sprue was added to turret and hull to simulate weld seams.
http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=10491&img=Late_rear_deck.JPG

Here I have glued Schatton brass gun to gun shield. I did have also Aber barrel but it would have been mode difficult to use so I decided to it another day. Front mud guards were cut off as well as periscope covers. I added periscopes from plastic and covers from Part PE. Rain guard added to gunner's periscope opening. Also driver/radist hatches puttied to convert them to late version.
http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=10490&img=Late_gun.JPG

I know that pics aren't best possible but I'm learning to use my new digicamera which has much better macro than my earlier camera. So hopefully quality of pics will improve. I don't do much editing for pics, just resizing and autocorrecting colors. Any suggestions?

Cheers,
Niko

[Finnmodeler]

This is getting along with the other project. I'm adding more PE to this model so it's going to be a bit more tedious.
I added already cutters by Part. As you can see, those are quite flat so I'll try to add some dimension with thick paint or super glue. I'm going to leave all fenders off this one so I have added fender brackets to sides. I lost one to carpet monster so small bit of styrene was needed :) There is fuel vent lines added to both sides.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII2Medium.jpg

Rear wall is stripped from jack block and jack itself so those holes were filled. I opened a starter crank hole. I'm not where I'm going with that one but we'll see :lol: Maybe a broken down T2 with desperate starting procedures?
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII1Medium.jpg

Niko

[Flak]

Here I have glued Schatton brass gun to gun shield. I did have also Aber barrel but it would have been mode difficult to use so I decided to it another day.

What is the construction for the Schatton barrel...are they muzzle brake opening dimension same as the Aber's...

[Finnmodeler]

Originally posted by Flak@Oct 11 2005, 08:27 PM

What is the construction for the Schatton barrel...are they muzzle brake opening dimension same as the Aber's...
Hi,
Schatton is one piece barrel. I'll send a compare-pic today.

Br,
Niko

[Flak]

Hi,
Schatton is one piece barrel. I'll send a compare-pic today.


That GREAT :lol:

[Finnmodeler]

Originally posted by Flak@Oct 12 2005, 03:48 AM

That GREAT :lol:
Hi,
here is one:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII_1Medium.jpg

As you can see, Aber is somewhat shorter. Other than that there is no big differences. Both are equally difficult to install :o

Niko

[Finnmodeler]

Last night I started doing cover for shell ejection hole. What was almost impossible, was to find a suitable round piece! My tools are obviously too limited to reproduce round discs ranging from 3,5 mm to 10 mm. Punch and die set operates below that and larger ones can be done with knife and round schablones.
Finally I managed to make one from PzIII's idler axel :lol: No, part was taken from scrap box, not from actual model.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII_3Medium.jpg

I added some plastic parts also to simulate closing mechanism.
And as can be seen, I'm going to open rear hatch also! Madness is spreading :o

Niko

[Finnmodeler]

Added some PE holders for tow cable/barrel cleaners. Those look just a tad oo big but I'm too lazy to scratchbuild them:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII003Medium.jpg

barrel cleaner rods are made of steel rod. Cutting them was challenging as pliers tend to flatten them. Finally got those right and glued small wire to other end.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII002Medium.jpg

Towing clevis holders glued in place. Actually these holders should be different but too laxy me again :lol:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII001Medium.jpg

More to follow,

Niko

[Flak]

As you can see, Aber is somewhat shorter. Other than that there is no big differences. Both are equally difficult to install

Thanks Niko...I saw the different between them...it looks Schatton is better than the Aber... ;)

[Finnmodeler]

Well,
rear plate wasn't so hard after all. I scavenged locking clasps from DML's Panther G model which has some extra parts for Jagdpanther. Steel cover plate was a bit harder but with creativity I managed to make one that looks close enough.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII004Medium.jpg

Niko

[Finnmodeler]

Rear convoy light constructed from Part's PE and plastic. Also a small wire added.
Glue stains will be removed ;)
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII010Medium.jpg

[Donovan]

Very nice looking stuff! :o

I hope you continue at your current rate. It seems to be going quite well. Also, thanks for the shots of the two barrels, I've got the Aber myself, but didn't know it was short.

Cheers,
Christopher

[James Tainton]

Originally posted by Donovan@Oct 13 2005, 01:52 PM
I've got the Aber myself, but didn't know it was short.
Maybe it's the right length- what is is short compared to? Another aftermarket barrel ? - maybe that one is too long? I trust Aber to get things right over anyone else. For example the Schatton barrel for the Sturer Emil is not correct in the depiction of the muzzle brake.

[Finnmodeler]

Originally posted by panzerfaust@Oct 13 2005, 08:20 PM
Maybe it's the right length- what is is short compared to? Another aftermarket barrel ? - maybe that one is too long? I trust Aber to get things right over anyone else. For example the Schatton barrel for the Sturer Emil is not correct in the depiction of the muzzle brake.
Yes, as I said in my first post regarding these items, I said only that Aber is shorter. Which one is right I don't know. Maybe I have to do some ref-compare with those.

Niko

[James Tainton]

My comment was really to Donovan- I recognized that your statement was pretty much neutral...it's just irratating to me when people draw a wrong conclusion from someone's posted info. I needed to straighten him out. :)

[Finnmodeler]

Originally posted by panzerfaust@Oct 14 2005, 08:18 AM
My comment was really to Donovan- I recognized that your statement was pretty much neutral...it's just irratating to me when people draw a wrong conclusion from someone's posted info. I needed to straighten him out. :)
Ok:)
but now plot thickens, as they say in movies...
I have used my only available reference in this matter which is DML's Tiger II in 1:35 scale.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII_1Medium2.jpg

To clarify? the situ, I added a pic to show where I measured. Anyway, here is the results:
DML 101 millimeters
Aber 34,25 millimeters
Schatton 35,7 millimeters

With Scalecalc conversion from 101 mm converts to 35,7 millimeters in 1/72 scale. So this gives more correct length when compared to other model. I have quite a lot of books with drawings but all of them have barrel cut between pages so it is not possible to see drawn length.
So with my limited resources I don't know what the correct length should be :(
IMHO, Schatton looks better ;)
Niko

[Finnmodeler]

Small update. As front is missing a piece, one has to be added:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII014Medium.jpg

Here is addition made of thin 0,25 mm plasticard. Bolts made with cut syrenge needle:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII015Medium.jpg

I made all 4 at once using a first one as a jig. Those didn't come out totally same so I have to do some trimming afterwards but no big deal.

Niko

[Finnmodeler]

Originally posted by Finnmodeler@Oct 14 2005, 08:35 AM
Ok:)
but now plot thickens, as they say in movies...
I have used my only available reference in this matter which is DML's Tiger II in 1:35 scale.
To clarify? the situ, I added a pic to show where I measured. Anyway, here is the results:
DML 101 millimeters
Aber 34,25 millimeters
Schatton 35,7 millimeters


And a note to this: Schatton is exactly same length as Revell's own plastic version.

Niko

[Finnmodeler]

To get things rolling, I have tried to tighten the pace. Tonight I added AA MG mount with Revell's MG34. I have excellent PE MG42 by Extratech but it is not suitable for Tiger II :(
Here is part layout:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII017Medium.jpg

And here is end result. Well, almost end as I didn't and will not glue MG just yet.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII019Medium.jpg

Also I bent starter crank and tried it to it's place. It' way too long but it's easier to handle at this point.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII020Medium.jpg

Niko

[James Tainton]

Thanks for the barrel data- I'll try and dig out some drawing references- I'll post 'em. ;)

[Finnmodeler]

As I was adding hooks for engine hatch, I noticed similar hooks should be in round hatches also. I made ones from plasticard but those didn't come out as nicely as I wanted :(
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII022Medium.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII021Medium.jpg

Niko

[Finnmodeler]

I couldn't stop myself :angry: so I glued starter crank to it's place after forming supports for it first.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII025Medium.jpg
This night was mostly putting together some sub assemblies and here is one. I wanted to see if there is difference between model part and selfmade part. I'm not sure if it worth scratching:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII027Medium.jpg

Turret received the MG with PE ammo belt. I know that there was a bag with ammo but this looks so much cooler :lol:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII024Medium.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII023Medium.jpg

Niko

[Finnmodeler]

As this is late T2, it has plates added to rear deck. Both Eduard and Part have plates with Part having nicer look. Unfortunately Part doesn't provide any stands for plates but instead suggests to glue them straight over grilles :o Now what the heck that is going to be? There are few other errors and inaccuracies in instructions which may cause some confusion.
So I used Eduard plates that have stands already in place.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII030Medium.jpg

Niko

[Finnmodeler]

After I had concluded carving hole to rear turret and adding all parts for hatch, I noticed that hole is too small! So I had to carve some more and also cut hatch plate a bit narrower.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII029Medium.jpg

There is a closing mechanism which should be shown in pics. It is very thin wire added to turret and hatch.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII028Medium.jpg

Turret interior will be painted to black as there is nothing inside. Hatch of course with Ivory color.

Niko

[Finnmodeler]

I want to add few shells so SB some. They are not that good looking and unpainted still. Should those be steel with greenish "glow" on them? Brass looks coller, of course but weren't casings made of steel in late war?
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/TigerII.jpg

Niko

[Finnmodeler]

And sorry about poor pics, my camera is running out of pixels!

[Finnmodeler]

As I'm not happy with Part's PE clasps, I'm on a process to scratchbuild them. Part's parts :D are too simple and big.
Here is first attempt made of 3 parts. Compared to Aber clasp in first pic:

http://www.kolumbus.fi/niko.asposalo/Tiger%20II/Pics%20001.jpg

Here is a comp to Part PE. Difference is obvious:

http://www.kolumbus.fi/niko.asposalo/Tiger%20II/Pics%20002.jpg

Put in place and this shows that my part is still too big and clumsy. I have to find a thinner metal to work with. Other option might be 0,25 or 0,13 mm plasticard.

http://www.kolumbus.fi/niko.asposalo/Tiger%20II/Pics%20003.jpg

More later,

Niko