Good afternoon Tankers, so I have a few questions and some favors. The first question is about the ETO ZUH19 gear down for the Tamiya transmission, do I need a pinion gear puller and installer tool? If you have done this mod and you have pics of the installation would you be kind enough to post them. Also I had a post about the rotation unit on my Tiger and how to improve it. I searched the F.A.Q. section and found a post from KSOC about the know issues with the different kits. I remember seeing some pics on how to zip tie the rotation motor unit, but for the life of me, I can't find them now, I guess old age is setting in on this almost 50ish guy . I'm trying to get my tank in order so I can be ready for the next battle wkend in Danville, I think, JULY?

What I have to finish- touch-up the paint, install and do a little detailing on the exhaust system, decals, should I order a set of decals from ETO? what I don't want is decals that appear glossy after I do the clear coat, I would be unhappy with that , clear coat, need to get a battle unit, should I wait until I get to Danville and get one or order one now? Install the sprocket covers. Use a plastic primer on the tracks to help make sure the pins don't back out. I ordered a 8x9 0.125in sheet of teflon, going to dremel a piece that fits between the inside hull and the transmission housing, use like a rubber cement to hold it on the hull and seal the inside of the tank from the outside, and since it's teflon it has a VERY low friction coefficient and its self lubricating. Paint and install the machine gun, paint the inside hatches, fix the wiring(birds nest). Seems like I can knock that out in short order, BUT

As of Friday, I will be out of a job, with 50+ resumes already out. I have had 1 Interview with no contact since, a few over the phone conversations that have gone NOWHERE, and I'm trying to get my A+ cert to see if that will open up any doors, and still look and apply for jobs, take care of the house, dogs and such, I should have the tank ready? LOL! , but other thing are taking higher priority. Any words of encouragement, help, and\or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I sometime think that my questions are a rehash of earlier questions, and I'm not able to find them. I do try and post intelligent question or legitimate help. Thanks for spending the time to read my post and maybe even see some of you again in JULY? It was about a yr. ago I was down their with my best friend, meet DavBCool, Herman, and others. Just stayed that Saturday and I purchased a Tiger Tank while I was down their. Commander Bob even let me drive his Jagdpanter around. All of you where really nice, and I do hope to see you again.

Is this the Tammy Tiger in the build thread from of few weeks back, in Tamiya Dunkelgelb?

If so, you may not want to hear this, but that paint is so dead flat, you need to gloss coat it before decals. If not the whole tank, at least under the decals to prevent silvering. It's just the way it is. All waterslide decals have a sealing coat on them that tends to be glossy, you'll just need to overspray flat after they are down. The normal modeling/decal procedure is: prime, paint, gloss coat (Future is the best), decals (with solutions), gloss again to seal, washes, filters and then a flat coat or dry pigments will will take off the shine. That is done on tanks, planes, whatever and will give you the painted on look.

There's a few good sets out there. Archer makes 1/16 dry transfers too (still need gloss coat and seal).

Good luck on the job search.

Ausf hit the nail on the head about paint and decals. Dullcoating everything is the last step. If you can, I would suggest getting the battle unit now and have it installed and working by the battle day. Looking forward to seeing you again in July. I hope you have secured another position before then also.

Herman