Sometimes you hust have to recognize when you need help!
10-04-2016 | 06:47 PM
#1
Sometimes you hust have to recognize when you need help!
Some of my very fist 1/10 scale models were Tiger I tanks made in Japan. Gas powered, aluminum bodied these models
have been staples of my collection since 1980. These first models were made by a company I've only ever known as "Seiki"; its
real or Japanese name I don't really know. I have their construction/ instruction manuals and even a Video tape of their models running ( but alas no longer a VHS VCR). Their model is a semi-scale late type Tiger I tanks; with a level of scale detail that was common when these models were first built in the 1970s. Crude by today's standard. I have three Seiki Tigers.
All told I have 5 Tiger I ( or variant ) models; the afore mentioned Seikis, one Sturm Tiger based on parts made or provided by
Thomas Wittgrebe and lastly an early type Tiger I custom made by a German guy with a turret recently supplied by Jürgen Stehr along with rear engine deck parts which the model was lacking.
In recent years some of my modeling efforts have been focused on trying to improve the models I have; most of this has been centered around my Maier Panthers recognizing that there are aspects of them that are core to the models that I can't easily change or I'm unwilling to so most all the Panther upgrades have been details for stowage, hatches and the like. I won't change the tracks even though I know the pitch is off - basically they look good enough; I have 9 panther variants and to change tracks and sprockets just isn't high on my list.
So then this leaves my Seiki Tigers and Wittgrebe SturmTiger. I bought Asiatam's steel tracks for my two first Tiger I models and these are just killer! I have another set of Tiger I ( aluminium ) tracks and sprockets ' somewhere over there' for my third Seiki and the STurmTiger already has more correct tracks. If you've ever seen a Seiki Tiger I you'll understand why I want to change the tracks. While very strong the pitch is way off, almost comical.
That leaves the rear engine decks on these 4 models, Wittgrebe emulated the Seiki rear deck which is nowhere near scale( I'll add photos later). Over the years I've had a couple of attempts of making replacement gratings and related parts to replace these deck parts with varying degrees of success the sum total of which led me to 2 conclusions: 1) casting these parts was going to be very difficult using my methods and 2) I just didn't want to spend the time making appropriate patterns for the number of parts I had to make. A little aside about pattern making: you have to think in 3 dimensions not just from visualizing the parts but how the pattern will behave in molding sand when withdrawn and how the metal will flow in the cavity left behind. Undercuts, sharp corners, tapers, shrinkage, risers, gates, pulling, voids all dance around in your head. I decided I wasn't going to do it.
Enter the Aero Mate 1/16 scale Tiger I rebuilt earlier. I kept admiring those engine deck parts! I said I wonder if they're willing to make these a little bigger!
Enter the Aero Mate 1/10 scale Tiger I engine deck!
The photos above show the deck on my SturmTiger. I worked with Alex to get a compromise set of parts that
could work on either a 1/10 scale Tiger I with a cast hull as found by Wittgrebe or other makers in Europe OR
the Seiki Tiger Is of which there are quite a number. Alex not only provided a set of grates and hatch but a frame
on which to mount them all, functional filler caps, hinged cap and all the square head bolys ( with tool) with which to mount them. This is better than great! I can't say enough good things about those guys! They basically accepted
my 'commission' and produced a minimum number of sets for me. I will likely have a few sets left over which I can sell
however they won't be inexpensive and there will be some mods needed to a person's model. The result is worth it...
Jerry
have been staples of my collection since 1980. These first models were made by a company I've only ever known as "Seiki"; its
real or Japanese name I don't really know. I have their construction/ instruction manuals and even a Video tape of their models running ( but alas no longer a VHS VCR). Their model is a semi-scale late type Tiger I tanks; with a level of scale detail that was common when these models were first built in the 1970s. Crude by today's standard. I have three Seiki Tigers.
All told I have 5 Tiger I ( or variant ) models; the afore mentioned Seikis, one Sturm Tiger based on parts made or provided by
Thomas Wittgrebe and lastly an early type Tiger I custom made by a German guy with a turret recently supplied by Jürgen Stehr along with rear engine deck parts which the model was lacking.
In recent years some of my modeling efforts have been focused on trying to improve the models I have; most of this has been centered around my Maier Panthers recognizing that there are aspects of them that are core to the models that I can't easily change or I'm unwilling to so most all the Panther upgrades have been details for stowage, hatches and the like. I won't change the tracks even though I know the pitch is off - basically they look good enough; I have 9 panther variants and to change tracks and sprockets just isn't high on my list.
So then this leaves my Seiki Tigers and Wittgrebe SturmTiger. I bought Asiatam's steel tracks for my two first Tiger I models and these are just killer! I have another set of Tiger I ( aluminium ) tracks and sprockets ' somewhere over there' for my third Seiki and the STurmTiger already has more correct tracks. If you've ever seen a Seiki Tiger I you'll understand why I want to change the tracks. While very strong the pitch is way off, almost comical.
That leaves the rear engine decks on these 4 models, Wittgrebe emulated the Seiki rear deck which is nowhere near scale( I'll add photos later). Over the years I've had a couple of attempts of making replacement gratings and related parts to replace these deck parts with varying degrees of success the sum total of which led me to 2 conclusions: 1) casting these parts was going to be very difficult using my methods and 2) I just didn't want to spend the time making appropriate patterns for the number of parts I had to make. A little aside about pattern making: you have to think in 3 dimensions not just from visualizing the parts but how the pattern will behave in molding sand when withdrawn and how the metal will flow in the cavity left behind. Undercuts, sharp corners, tapers, shrinkage, risers, gates, pulling, voids all dance around in your head. I decided I wasn't going to do it.
Enter the Aero Mate 1/16 scale Tiger I rebuilt earlier. I kept admiring those engine deck parts! I said I wonder if they're willing to make these a little bigger!
Enter the Aero Mate 1/10 scale Tiger I engine deck!
The photos above show the deck on my SturmTiger. I worked with Alex to get a compromise set of parts that
could work on either a 1/10 scale Tiger I with a cast hull as found by Wittgrebe or other makers in Europe OR
the Seiki Tiger Is of which there are quite a number. Alex not only provided a set of grates and hatch but a frame
on which to mount them all, functional filler caps, hinged cap and all the square head bolys ( with tool) with which to mount them. This is better than great! I can't say enough good things about those guys! They basically accepted
my 'commission' and produced a minimum number of sets for me. I will likely have a few sets left over which I can sell
however they won't be inexpensive and there will be some mods needed to a person's model. The result is worth it...
Jerry
10-05-2016 | 09:57 AM
#4
Those are some beautiful parts Jerry!!!!
