Early Tiger 1 from sPzAbt 503

[TBowman]

Very cool Chris!

Do you have any particular theater of operation in mind for your Tiger?

By the way, your wiring is much more organized then mine.

Kindest regards
Tim

[cahlfors]

Yes, it is intended to replicate Kurt Knispel's (best gunner ever) tank, supposedly commanded by Hans Fendesack at the time of Citadel. I believe it was #131, but not quite sure. I also believe it was built in march or april '43. I would be most grateful for any information on this.

What caught my eye the first time a saw an Armortek model was the metal itself, so I plan to leave it in metal finish with just a clear coat. This, of course, makes it hard to argue that it resembles any particular prototype, but I will do my best with the details. I will be missing a lot of difficult and fun painting work, but now realize that I will also not have the option of using putty, which makes it more difficult.

Thanks for reading,
/Chris

[Gabriel]

Hello Chris!

I like your build, you have a good eye for details with the bolt, nuts and all. Will you make rolled steel texturing to?

If you ask me I would say that your battery solution is overpowerd, but I like it hehe!

Your transmitter looks very good, were can I find more information about it?

Drive safe!

[cahlfors]

Thanks for the kind words, Gabriel.

Here is the link to the radio manufacturer:
http://www.brixlelektronik.de/

It will not be possible to do the rolled steel texturing, or so I think, because of the lack of paint. It would not look good.

It is quite possible that the Tiger is ridiculously overpowered - I really do not have a clue... :scratch:

Cheers,
/Chris

[cahlfors]

The better part of Sunday was spent in the snow! At -6C the snow was dry, which made a world of difference. The tiger performed beautifully in this snow, but the weight (I suspect close to 200kg - how on earth do you weigh that?) makes steep inclines impossible due to slippage.

The batteries lasted for somewhere between two and three hours enthusiastic running, but came close to being discharged. I have to check what voltage is minimum. A complication is that the voltage varies with the load, so how should it be measured? I think I have read somewhere that 10 point something is the discharged voltage in a 12 volt lead battery. Under no load? I have to read up on this. :?

I was so busy running that there was no time for photographs.

Thanks for following the story,
/Chris

[bslturtle99]

Chris,

First: Great build!

I like the movies of your Tiger in the snow.

I have a question concerning the radio, I think.

It seems that hen most people drive their Tiger they go from a standing start to max almost immediately. Obviousle until recent times that was not possible with a tank. Your Tiger seemed to have a more realistic accelleration profile. Was that your driving or did you programm that into your controller? (or was it the weight from the batteries). I am intrigued by the controller you are using and am considering buying one, especially since you said it can be used on several models (not at the same time I assume).

Thanks for saring

Have a good Christmas,
Thanks, Brian

[Gabriel]

"It will not be possible to do the rolled steel texturing, or so I think, because of the lack of paint. It would not look good. "
So you plan to keep it unpainted? If so I agree, rolled steel texturing method ala Kent would not look good if it has no paint over it.

Keep in mind that the cold weather makes the batterys run out faster than normal aswell, but between two and three hours is pretty much run time if you ask me

[cahlfors]

Chris,

First: Great build!

I like the movies of your Tiger in the snow.

I have a question concerning the radio, I think.

It seems that hen most people drive their Tiger they go from a standing start to max almost immediately. Obviousle until recent times that was not possible with a tank. Your Tiger seemed to have a more realistic accelleration profile. Was that your driving or did you programm that into your controller? (or was it the weight from the batteries). I am intrigued by the controller you are using and am considering buying one, especially since you said it can be used on several models (not at the same time I assume).

Thanks for saring

Have a good Christmas,

Thanks, Brian

Thanks Brian!

Glad you like it! The acceleration rate can be set in the Armortek speed controller. I think I am using a medium setting. The longer settings did not seem to have any effect, or I was unable to figure it out. Anyway I was happy with the default and decided not to spend more time on it. The rate you see, however, is mostly a result of my driving, but a combination of the other factors as well: The weight, the sound (has a psychological effect) and the programmed rate to some extent. Also, the snow has a dampening effect. But essentially, the combination of the good mechanical properties of the model, its control electronics and the radio is very successful and a charm to drive reallistically.

The Brixlcontrol is not sold outside of the EU, however. They are a very small company and getting the appropriate certifications for the US and foreign markets is currently too big of an undertaking. In fact, the menu is in German... It is a shame, really. The Brixlcontrol is a true gem and withholding it from the international market is really a shame. A dream would be that they would get the volumes required to quit their day time jobs and expand the Brixlcontrol company and marketplace.

Cheers,
/Chris

[bslturtle99]

Chris,

Thank you for the info.

You are a gent!

Too bad about the controller. I have played with the stamp controller modules.
They have a bluetooth module. I wonder if I can build my own????

It is amazing how this hobby can force you into so many areas.
Part of the allure.

Thank you again, I really enjoy watching your videos

And Merry Christmas!

-Brian

-Brian

[cahlfors]

Thanks, likewise!

Building your own is certainly a possibility. Someone suggested using a couple of those small mini-notebooks and setting up an ad-hoc wifi network between them - if your model is big enough to carry one. Add a couple of joysticks and piece of wood (or fancy box...) to hold it all together and you would have a transmitter with a zillion keys and a color display! Maybe a usb-cam on the model?

On popular demand - I took it out in the snow again. This time it was -15C and the snow was very dry indeed. It performed beautifully. Snow does enter the running gear, but when dry it just works its way out again as can be seen in this closeup sequence of the idler:
http://s980.photobucket.com/albums/ae29 ... i_4767.mp4

It is quite impressive when it negotiates rough terrain:
http://s980.photobucket.com/albums/ae29 ... i_4768.mp4

It fords deep snow with little effort, but making tight turns is a challenge requiring multiple backup maneuvers. When turns can be kept reasonably shallow, however, it just keeps going:
http://s980.photobucket.com/albums/ae29 ... i_4771.mp4

I left it sitting outside tonight, since I intended to drive it again today. I had it covered with an old bed sheet to protect the open hatches from snow entering - ultimately melting when I bring it indoors. The idea was to put it to test and avoid dragging out a wet model into the cold again the day after (and to avoid some work... ). It ran perfectly!

After an hour or so of driving, I had a rubber tire come off. Unfortunately, it was one of the invisible ones nearest the sprocket and it got chewed up pretty bad before i noticed. :( So now it is back in the garage awaiting repairs as soon as it has thawed and dried.

Good news is that the charger indicated 75% charge after two hours of driving and a night outdoors! And the battery bay is only two thirds populated!

Thanks for watching,
/Chris

[cahlfors]

Well, the chewed up tire has been glued in place again and there have been no more mishaps.

We have had rain on all this beautiful snow, so now all is gloom and I did some indoor work on the tiger instead.

The radio operator's hatch in place:


Fully detailed interior:


The rubber lining is o-ring material cut to size.

Thanks for watching,
/Chris

[VaranMicke]

wow awesome tank mate

[Björn Johansson]

Hi
Been some time seens I read
in you´r post. I sure like those
snow test you did with the Tiger!

Nice details on the radio operators
hatch!

[cahlfors]

Please excuse the interruption.

I have had some computer/network issues that have taken some time. Nonetheless, work is progressing - slowly. The fluffy snow is gone after some serious rain followed by freeze. Yea, that means ice. Useless for tank driving or anything but indoor activity. Now, that is an opportunity!

The side skirts were added. Here is what they look like:


I used scale bolts from Knupfer. I really like them! Perfect German quality precision at its best, but they do rust. Here they are covered with a clear coat:


Here, the rear mud guards have been added. They are standard, out of the box. Later on, I may decide to improve details:


And the front:


There are a limited number of non-metal parts made of resin. The jack is assembled from white metal and resin parts:


The fire extinguisher is made of resin entirely and comes with a large casting "sprue":


The "sprue" is removed with a razor saw:


The finished fire extinguisher is very nice looking. However, it is made from the wrong material. I will find a cure!


After a few minutes in my magic oven, the resin parts are converted to metal:


Here on 59 degrees north we have these things called Badgers. If you squeeze them the right way over your models and put them in a cardboard box, plastic will turn into metal - very useful!

Thanks for your patience!
/Chris

[TBowman]

Hi Chris

Looking very nice! I like the plastic to metal method. Amazing!

Kind regards
Tim