This is just a preview since this is a Christmas Present.

I am checking it out, then it will be wrapped up for Dec. 25th

Good thing I am checking it out, there are a few problems but the overall features are good.


I have a set of Waltersons Gearboxes for it and it will be getting an SLU IR conversion.


The BAD

1.) Idler Mount (metal) on the Track Tensioning System is broken;








Broken part looks like this both sides shown, I need the right one;

http://www.asiatam.com/ersatz-teile-kettenspanner-fuer-tiger-p-833.html


The AFF Shop says they will get me a replacement part. IMHO, these cast metal parts should be OK for plastic, I don't know how they will do with heavier metal tracks.


2.) Broken Speaker Mount (easy fix)



3.) Lower Hull Cracked (easy fix)






The GOOD STUFF;

Steel Wheels (at least plastic replicas of them)



Coupala, Late Style




Turret Mounted Spare Track Links





Headlight, Single, Late Style



General Detail of the front Zimmerit



Lift Lugs







It also has the switch under the operable radio operators hatch and the quick releas uppr hull, metal "belly pan" with torsion bars.

Here is the objective, when completed;

Still no replacement Idler Arm.

Karen at the AFF Shop has been trying to get me one.

She has enlisted the help of the new U.S. Taigen dealer but I have not heard anything definative.

So, I thought I would try to look after it myself, using my drill press, a home made jig, drill bits, a brass pin and JB Weld.

The JB Weld is setting up now, we will see how this goes tomorrow when the JB Weld has cured..

that sucks too bad the museum had to go through this again and the you got a bad egg Glen looks like you are doing a great job fixing it

There really hasn't been any additional cost, just the aggravation.

I am sure this one was subjected to a "jolt" between China and here, somewhere.

I have fixed the hull, the jack, the speaker and hopefully, the Idler Arm.

Hopefully this thing fits up tomorrow when I can check it out after the JB Weld is cured.


I could see this repair being stronger than the original. The original pin was just a cast piece, part of the complete Idler Arm, where the pin meets the main part. it is basically "break along the dotted line".

Using the strength quoted for JB Weld and calculating the surface area of the glued area, theoretically, it would take 400 to 500 pounds to pull it out, but we're not going to test that.

The brass pin is stronger and the JB Weld will hold them together and reinforce the casting.

I think the original Idler Arm design will be prone to breakage, especially if metal tracks are used.


If Taigen is going to sell in the U.S. and Canada, they MUST have replacement parts available; we are newly into them being sold in North America so I hope the parts will become more plentiful in the near future.



I was not prepared to wait, I would like to start my build as soon as the SLU's arrive, I had nothing to lose by trying a repair.

That looks rock solid!

Im still waiting on news of the HennTech idler arms... the asiatam-style will fit both of our tanks, glen. It's basically the same idler arm, in steel, but with the attachment piece being 3cm long instead of 3/8 "

Yours will never break now though!

Strato50 wrote:

Im still waiting on news of the HennTech idler arms... the asiatam-style will fit both of our tanks, glen. It's basically the same idler arm, in steel, but with the attachment piece being 3cm long instead of 3/8 "

Sounds interesting

Here are some pictures from this morning;

Looking forward to working on this one, soon

I had an unexpected turn of events yesterday.

Tony, from Big Boy Toys Airsoft (Taigen's new U.S. importer, had offered to send me a spare Idler Arm.

Well, yesterday I received it, with a whole, new lower hull assembly



Way over what I expected, a VERY nice move on his part.




Details of the suspension system on the spare lower hull;



Metal arms and other components;

so is the top hull on this metal or plastic glen?

Glen put that tank away, your not suppose play with it until Christmas.

I'm telling your wife!

Airbrushler wrote:

so is the top hull on this metal or plastic glen?

The upper hull and turret are both plastic.

Stince wrote:

Glen put that tank away, your not suppose play with it until Christmas.

I'm telling your wife!

Good thing I checked it out, based on the timeline from when it got here in November, I would have spent most of January getting the damage fixed

Okay, but now wrap it up and put back under the tree.

Remeber, Santa's watching!

Hey Glen, you could do your Tiger up like this, to make Santa happy!

Nothing say's Christmas like a Panzer!



.................and, OK. its official, now;

Nice tank but.....

I think if you used a Pan-Tiger for your project, it would make a better investment for the future.

Now dont glue your fingers together this time.

Captain Action wrote:

Nice tank but.....

I think if you used a Pan-Tiger for your project, it would make a better investment for the future.

No doubt at all, I am sure they would concur on RCU.



I have completed the mounting modifications and they and the gearboxes fit PERFECTLY, now.

Since they were made to fit an HL, not a Taigen, I expected some re-working.

The short story is that the plate has to be split and be made .185" wider, and some mounting slots have to be made or modified to fit the Taigen's plate.

I have used 3mm hex-head cap screws, cut to fit, with lock washers, instead of the Pillips head screws.

The Taigen plate needs some holes drilled to make clearance for the Waltersons screw pattern. Two of these must have short shanks to not interfere with the frame rails; these are the red one's, white are the other gearbox screws, natural finish screws secure the mounting plate parts.

Wheels are done, upper and lower hull have their base coat, track base coat completed.

Breaking in the 400 Motors today.

Should have an SLU, soon

Spare tracks on the turret, painting done.


Before



After

Here's how they had the paint applied.

Taigen spare traps are very securely glued in place to the point where you could do a lot of damage getting them off.

So, I sprayed the whole thing "yellow"




Masked it






Paint, carefully with a light touch on the airbrush




Un-mask and it looks like my previous post.

Lot to do yet, brown camo stripes, weathering the track, etc.

Looks fantastic Glen!

Strato50 wrote:

Looks fantastic Glen!

Thanks, there are more finishing touches to do on them.

I thought the subject may be of interest to any other purchasers of Taigen Tigers.

Those cosmetic spare tracks are really "nailed" on there; not a deal breaker, just have to know there is an option to painting w/o removing them, I would (and plan to) buy another Taigen Tiger

Gunter checks out the trial run of the SLU etc. placement



Top view

ALL SLU units are hooked up, functioning and proved out

Now I need to clean up the installation and secure the wiring, etc.., then we get into the finishing touches.

When is the field test?

Stince wrote:

When is the field test?

Its a little ways away, yet



Picture as of 08:30, today.