Heng Long Tiger 1 rebuild

[dm73]

Having bought my Tiger a couple weeks ago it has sat in the shed on the shelf while i decided what to do with it, was just going to leave it and get it out when the little uns were about to keep them amused but little things started to bug me so i thought i would have ago at making it into something more like the real thing.

Never having built or owned anything this size or type before i was a bit dubious about messing around with it but as soon as the first screws came out i couldn't stop myself so i took a couple pictures along the way to help me put it back together and help anyone else that is thinking of sprucing up their Tiger.

My tiger as it came out of the box next to a 1/35 m10 which is the only other tank i've built and that had no instructions and parts missing.

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I wanted to strip it down to its major components so i could give it paint job so first the drive wheels came off by removing the centre caps and undoing the allen bolts.

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The tracks could be removed then and placed to one side, depending on finances i may buy the metal track and drive sprocket set.

Next was to unscrew the 6 screws that were hidden under the tracks and the ones visable on the bottom.

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Once these were removed i undid the air cleaner pipe brackets to allow the top of the hull to part from the bottom, i didn't want to force the pipes from the air cleaners so i undid the cleaners from inside and left them attached as one piece

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The upper hull can now be opened up fully and the white control plug and antenna be disconnected

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With the upper hull upside down you can see the ring gear that allows the turret to pivot, all the turret wiring goes through this ring gear, i couldn't find a way of disconnecting just the turret power from the rest of the wiring so i marked the cables and cut them so i could re-solder them later

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Removing the 3 ring gear screws the turret comes away complete, i then removed the tow cables and other parts i could, the jack and base are glued and the tools and boxes are moulded to the hull, so i will remove these and source a tool set and equipment to replace other parts

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Cheers for reading

Darren

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[Sky Raider]

This is cool Darren, keep them coming because im going to try my first attempt at this also, my tiger is still sitting in the box unopend. I will start it when i have flown the B25 and cleaned up the workshop. Very soon i hope.

Andy

 

[dm73]

Looking at the work you've done on your previous projects i expect nothing less than a fully functional maybach lump churning out diesel fumes:bow:

 

[Sky Raider]

Thanks for the confidence but remember im moving closer to the relms of you guys now and everything is going to be a lot smaller for me, take for instance the fact that i will be moving from my usual spray gun down to an airbrush. i have never used such tools and will find this to be a new and exciting challange, i just hope that i can make a good job of it.

:idea:

Thanks for the confidence mate.

Andy

 

[dm73]

Tanks are easy, at least if you forget to do up a screw their not going to drop out of the sky, i used to use a spray gun on my my old cars and thought i'd struggle with an air brush but i have to admit i find it alot easier to control.

Right the next bit of destruction in the shed, started to remove the pre-molded tools that are on the hull, the box and axe are pressed out so when removed they leave holes which have to be filled with plasti card. The others came off with a sharp chisel edge and require minimal filling to make good.

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Am going to order a new metal tool set and tow ropes, going to have to wait untill after xmas to buy sprockets and metal tracks but that shouldn't stop me respraying the hull and turret.

Talking to my dad about taking up modelling he mentioned he had some research materiall i could have then dragged these out of the spare room

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Looks as though they were bought before i was born and he has the complete set, plenty of good stuff in them and loads of photos.

Cheers

Darren

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[Sky Raider]

im following you Darren. Ill let you get well ahead before i start. I started cleaning the workshop today in preperation for my next project. Cant wait to get to this Tiger. Please dont leave anything out or ill be lost forever, honest. , Id like to take a copy of this thread as you go along if you dont mind so i can take it into the workshop, will make it a lot easier for me as a beginner to this scale. Ive orderd some books today for delivery on Saturday, ill show you what they are when i get them.

Thanks

Andy

 

[dm73]

No problems about copying the thread, i'm learning as i go so you may find ways of doing things that i've missed. Love to see the books you get as i'm trawling the interweb at the mo for reference photos. Can't decide on a paint job yet

 

[Bunkerbarge]

Very interesting thread and it seems a lot of us have these models. I've got two and I'm dying to do an upgrade and detail job on them. There is so much available in the way of aftermarket stuff from the likes of Tankzone you cantake it to what ever level you want but just a paint job is worthwhile.

I think one of the best things you can do is remove the moulded in tools and you've done an excellent job there. The seperate aftermarket items are a world apart and well worth the effort.

By the way, just for the record the Maybach was a petrol engine.

 

[dm73]

Cheers Richard, if i had the money i'd have one of everything on the Tankzone site, with job security not looking great in the next couple of months i can't justify spending any major amount of cash. Thanks for putting me right on the engine, should do my research properly.

 

[dm73]

Evening all, just a little update on the tiger strip down. removed the long bar on the left of the upper hull,and filled the holes at the front i put plasticard into ready to rub down tomorrow night.

Removed the air cleaners and pipes, both air cleaners have a screw in the centre, loosen the screw slightly and the pipes come away.

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The pipes on the engine deck are glued so a flat bladed screw driver was used to push them off.

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I then turned my attention to the turret, looking at photos on the net i decided the commanders cupola was hinged the wrong way so i ran a sharp blade around the base and it pulled away quite easily, the hinge should point towards the loaders hatch.

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Then on to the horrible red LED on the gun mantle that warns when the gun is going to fire, i removed the screws on the bottom of the turret and parted the two halves.

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I snipped the wiring to the LED and then removed the two mantle retaining screws, the gun then comes apart in three parts allowing the removal of the LED.

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The remaining hole is then blocked and glued with a spare piece of sprue ready to be rubbed down when cured.

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Last thing before calling it a night i primed and put a base coat on the skin of the commander ready to try Spraymans oil paint flesh effect.

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Thanks for reading and any comments or criticism's welcome

Darren

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[dm73]

Question for anyone thats built a Tiger I in any scale, where does the radio ariel mount? Seen pictures on the interweb but can't see clearly where abouts its mounted on the turret, i want to move the Heng Long receiver ariel to the proper location.

Cheers

Darren

 

[Sky Raider]

Hi Darren,

My books came today, hopefully i can learn something from them. Keep up the good work.

Andy

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[msm2]

Cool collection of books.

Tony..

 

[Sky Raider]

Thanks Tony, beleive me i need them. I know nothing of what you guys do and how you get your fantastic results, i see your works at stages but never know how you get to them. Every job you guys finish are fantastic. I might learn something from the books hopefully.

Andy

 

[dm73]

Andy, just seen your collection of paints and bits from John, you don't do things by halfs do you, you'll be flying by me on the Tiger front. I've ordered a book on Tigers that'll hopefully help, also found this site Tiger I Information Center - Cutaway Drawings. Excellent site with loads of info.

 

[Sky Raider]

I need to gear up fpr this project so i spent a few bob lol. Ill check out the link, thanks Darren.

Andy

 

[dm73]

Evening all, just a little update on the Tiger front, just had a bit of research material turn up, flicking through it looks like a good read with loads of photos and diagrams.

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Sorry about the quality of photos, had to use my phone as the camera has disappeared, also started painting the commander with spraymans oil paint guide, its my first time using oil paints and i must admit he makes it look easy. I might have to face the wrath of the other half and bring him in to dry, it seems a bit to cold and damp in the shed and nothings drying.

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Cheers all

Darren

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[Centurion3RTR]

Thanks lads, after seeing this lot i just had to get my Tiger out and do a little work on it, well sort of. I charged the battery and played with it lol, looked good going around the back room with all the shiny bits. Going to order some more parts, looks like the my paypal's going to get hit again.

Have fun, John

 

[Sky Raider]

These are adictive arent they . I had to get one and now i own two Tanks. Was disapointed yesterday, i got an email telling me that the Tank Crew i orderd hadnt arrived with the supplier and might be a while longer now. I told them i would wait unless you guys know of anywhere i can order them from.

Cheers

Andy

 

[Centurion3RTR]

They are Andy, i had fun with the first Tiger but this one is even better, this one has sound. The only site i can think of at the mo is Welsh Dragon Models specializes in the sale of upgrade parts and accessories for 1/16 scale radio controlled model tanks.

Have fun, John