FOAtigeroverhaulpagetwo

We decided to revisit the rear mudguards in the hope of providing the highest scale realism without ruining our budget. Our client really liked our original mudguard design (see previous page) but wanted to try something even better. We reached into our parts bin and found some brackets from a previous tank build- an Armortek Tiger. Since our Tiger is going to fall into the mid production model range (1942/43), we went with a simple design using a mudguard mount frame (1/8 in. styrene will work), 2mm steel or plastic rod, steel guard plates, pivot mounts (.25 channel styrene and tubing) and brass hinges

The frame has been sanded, drilled out and mounted to the rear hull. We used m3 hex screws and JB Weld. We cut two pieces of plastruct channel stock (1/4" ea.) and cemented a plastic tube cradled into the channel to create the pivot mounts for mudguard. We took our discarded brackets to our sheet metal shop along with our Tiger Modeling Guide where they fashioned a set of steel mudguards and flaps to fit our Tiger. After several return trips to the design board, the guards were laser cut and we were pleased with the results. We used a 2mm steel rod to mount the assembly to the pivot mount.

In this shot we have mounted both mudguards and checked to see if the fit looks right. We noticed on some of our reference models that the mudguards were incorrectly mounted against the rearing towing stanchion. This would have made it impossible to use the "U" shackles and bosses and the mudguard flap would not align properly with the side mudguards. Mounting the hinges and mudguard "flaps" will be next.

We are changing our focus from the rear hull to the front upper deck by adding a set of Radio and Driver's Hatches to our Tiger. The resin units supplied with the kit really did not provide much detail in comparison to our upgraded hatches.

Pictured on the right is one of the hatches assembled and ready to mount under the upper hull of the Tiger.

Installation is fairly straightforward but we did have to enlarge both of the hatch openings in order to accomodate our new hatche covers. These are cast in white metal and even offer casting "dimples" for even greater realism. Periscopes come with the hatches and add a really nice touch.

Early on in the project, we modified the front mudguards using the existing PVC material and adding hinges, locks etc. However, the more we looked at these units we did not like the appearance of the mudguard hinges and decided to go back to the drawing board. We asked our sheet metal expert, Mark if he could fabricate a set of mudguards made from 18 gauge steel and he said "no problem!".

We decided to extend the lip of the front hull where the mudguards are mounted (see picture on right). We used our Dremel cutting tool to remove the original PVC which had a quarter inch gap in between the glacis and the mudguard.

We took an afternoon to turn a set of camo mounting bosses to go with our other upgrades. These were later cast in white metal and will be added to our product line.

Here we test fit the mudguard with the extension added earlier. The mounting tabs on the mudguard will be folded over a 1/16 steel rod which will be thread through a mounting plate bonded into the extension.

In order to keeping things moving forward on our Tiger overhaul, we have several steps or modifications going at the same time. We apologize if we are jumping around in terms of moving from one completely different feature of the overhaul project to another. We just can't help ourselves.

We took a few moments waiting for the paint to dry and to focus on the turret once again. We wanted to upgrade the loader's hatch with a much more detailed unit cast from white metal, but we quickly discovered that the hatch opening was too large. We took several strips of plastruct and wrapped them around the opening thus reducing them in size. We sanded and filled until we got a nice even surface

We carved two slots in the PVC extension in order to secure the mounting brackets for the forward mudguard. We will also add a ridge on the side of the glacis which will provide a smooth curve at the corner. The picture on the right reveals how the modified mudguard will look once the mounting tabs are permanently secured. The brass rod will be trimmed to size as well.

We repeated the process on the left side mudguard as well. This time we had to build up a portion of the front armor plate since it was not square with the front glacis. We sanded the white extension until it fit correctly and then permanently attached it with JB Weld and epoxy sculpt. We then added the side rail on the glacis and rounded off the end for a clean look.

We also test fit the cast sprockets and resin gear box and already the Tiger is looking awesome.

Pictured below and right are the finished front mudguards. The side mud flap will be lengthened and added later. We will fill a few seams and then apply primer.