Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Not really a 'Start to Finish' build as such, as this tank is already built, being a ready to run R/C model, but more a coverage of the modifications required to make the model representative of a mid-production model as it would have looked in 1944.
I must stress at this point that the model will be 'representative', and may not be totally accurate overall - purists please note, before before commentating on the inaccuracies, if any !
This fully working model, by Heng Long, is actually an early type, with the original 'drum type' turret cupola, and the 'Feifel' cyclone air cleaner assemblies, and my intention is to turn it into something that looks like a mid-production vehicle, with the early, 'dished' road wheels, and later, Panther-type commander's cupola.
Depending on the time of manufacture, from late 1943 onwards, there were a number of other detail changes, such as re-positioned headlights, ultimately ending up as a single, centrally mounted light, different drive sprockets, changes to tool stowage, exhausts, turret roof fittings and many more. But the main outwardly recognisable difference was the deletion of the pipe work and air filter 'cans' of the 'Fiefel' equipment, something I had intended to do on this model.
However, in order to remove the 'cans', the model has to be partially dismantled, and I tried to do this, only to hit a snag when one of the screws holding the hull together, refused to move, and I burred-over the screw head when trying to !
Consequently, the entire 'Fiefel' system will remain in place, and I'll apply a large amount of 'modeller's licence' in accepting this as 'possible'.
As I can't gain access to the inside of the hull or turret, the headlights will also remain as they are - I don't want to just cut off one light, as they actually work !
There's a possibility, albeit rather slim, that my modifications might be correct after all, as a number of early Tigers were refurbished after being damaged, and re-issued to units in 1944, resulting in early tanks with later turrets and cupolas, later tanks with the late-style road wheels and early turrets, two headlamps, one lamp on one side and so on, so it's possible to see various combinations of equipment set-up, even within one particular unit.
I'm still researching details on the units, but the model will ultimately be finished as either a tank from SS s.Pz.Abt 101 in Normandy, mid-June 1944, or a vehicle from s.Pz.Kp Hummel involved in the fighting in Arnhem and around Elst, Holland, in September 1944.
Modifications will include fitting the later style cupola, together with the re-positioned turret ventilation fan, the loader's periscope housing and the close defence weapon launcher on the turret roof, and the main visual detail, the addition of 'zimmerit' anti- magnetic mine paste, as well as a number of other small details, before painting the model in the colours of the period, using Dark Yellow, green and red-brown.
These first two posts show the progress to date, and I'm hoping I can complete the modifications and painting relatively quickly, without going into lots of fine detail - this will be a working model, as well as a static 'show piece', and i don't really want to spend a lot of time adding every small detail imaginable.
PIC 1. This is how the tank looks when unpacked from the large box, but without the addition of the accessories, such as cables, tools etc.
PICS 2 and 3. The early cupola fitted to the model, about to be removed.
PIC 4. The early, armoured pistol port has to be removed.
PIC 5.The 'Fiefel' air cleaner system. Note that the exhausts, to the rear of the pipe work, actually smoke on the model along with engine noise !
PIC 6. Early style turret vent fan - the close defence weapon launcher cover occupies this position on the mid and late production models.
PIC 7. This is what is under the early-style cupola - the oval hole is the loading 'hatch' for the gun, which fires 6mm BBs out to 25 meters !
PIC 8. Removing the base of the cupola mount, to allow the replacement, white metal cupola to 'sit' lower.
PIC 9. Test-fitting the new cupola. The base of this should really be flush with the turret roof, but there's a real risk of damage to the turret if the plastic was hacked away further. The joint will be blended-in with 'Milliput', and weld marks added, when the cupola is glued in place, and hopefully the small discrepancy in height won't be too noticeable.
More follows in the next post.
I must stress at this point that the model will be 'representative', and may not be totally accurate overall - purists please note, before before commentating on the inaccuracies, if any !
This fully working model, by Heng Long, is actually an early type, with the original 'drum type' turret cupola, and the 'Feifel' cyclone air cleaner assemblies, and my intention is to turn it into something that looks like a mid-production vehicle, with the early, 'dished' road wheels, and later, Panther-type commander's cupola.
Depending on the time of manufacture, from late 1943 onwards, there were a number of other detail changes, such as re-positioned headlights, ultimately ending up as a single, centrally mounted light, different drive sprockets, changes to tool stowage, exhausts, turret roof fittings and many more. But the main outwardly recognisable difference was the deletion of the pipe work and air filter 'cans' of the 'Fiefel' equipment, something I had intended to do on this model.
However, in order to remove the 'cans', the model has to be partially dismantled, and I tried to do this, only to hit a snag when one of the screws holding the hull together, refused to move, and I burred-over the screw head when trying to !
Consequently, the entire 'Fiefel' system will remain in place, and I'll apply a large amount of 'modeller's licence' in accepting this as 'possible'.
As I can't gain access to the inside of the hull or turret, the headlights will also remain as they are - I don't want to just cut off one light, as they actually work !
There's a possibility, albeit rather slim, that my modifications might be correct after all, as a number of early Tigers were refurbished after being damaged, and re-issued to units in 1944, resulting in early tanks with later turrets and cupolas, later tanks with the late-style road wheels and early turrets, two headlamps, one lamp on one side and so on, so it's possible to see various combinations of equipment set-up, even within one particular unit.
I'm still researching details on the units, but the model will ultimately be finished as either a tank from SS s.Pz.Abt 101 in Normandy, mid-June 1944, or a vehicle from s.Pz.Kp Hummel involved in the fighting in Arnhem and around Elst, Holland, in September 1944.
Modifications will include fitting the later style cupola, together with the re-positioned turret ventilation fan, the loader's periscope housing and the close defence weapon launcher on the turret roof, and the main visual detail, the addition of 'zimmerit' anti- magnetic mine paste, as well as a number of other small details, before painting the model in the colours of the period, using Dark Yellow, green and red-brown.
These first two posts show the progress to date, and I'm hoping I can complete the modifications and painting relatively quickly, without going into lots of fine detail - this will be a working model, as well as a static 'show piece', and i don't really want to spend a lot of time adding every small detail imaginable.
PIC 1. This is how the tank looks when unpacked from the large box, but without the addition of the accessories, such as cables, tools etc.
PICS 2 and 3. The early cupola fitted to the model, about to be removed.
PIC 4. The early, armoured pistol port has to be removed.
PIC 5.The 'Fiefel' air cleaner system. Note that the exhausts, to the rear of the pipe work, actually smoke on the model along with engine noise !
PIC 6. Early style turret vent fan - the close defence weapon launcher cover occupies this position on the mid and late production models.
PIC 7. This is what is under the early-style cupola - the oval hole is the loading 'hatch' for the gun, which fires 6mm BBs out to 25 meters !
PIC 8. Removing the base of the cupola mount, to allow the replacement, white metal cupola to 'sit' lower.
PIC 9. Test-fitting the new cupola. The base of this should really be flush with the turret roof, but there's a real risk of damage to the turret if the plastic was hacked away further. The joint will be blended-in with 'Milliput', and weld marks added, when the cupola is glued in place, and hopefully the small discrepancy in height won't be too noticeable.
More follows in the next post.
