![[Tiger 321]](321_1.gif)
| Details - Hull Rear | |
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Exhaust
Bottom
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Exhaust
Armor
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Notice the two top holes missing from the rear plate to mount the exhaust shield. |
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Exhaust
Cover
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A square nut or standoff's were originally welded to the hull of the
Tiger I for mounting the exhaust cover. This cover was not bolted
directly to the hull. I got a set of standoff's from Vince Abbott. |
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A #8 (.199") bit was used to drill holes 8mm deep. Epoxy was
then applied to seal the standoff in the hole. M3 * 8 hex head bolts
were inserted from the interior to secure the standoff's to the hull.
For the top row, M3 * 8 socket head screws were used. |
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The exhaust cover bolted to the standoff's with M3 * 8 hex head bolts,
The real Tiger also used square washers, simulated here using a brass
strip, cut and drilled. Click here
for a good reference picture from the Tiger I in Vimoutier, France.
(Pack 12) |
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Exhaust
Caps
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Caps and blanks for the exhaust. Reference pictures are hard to find
for the caps, but they may have used bolts instead of nuts and definitely
not threaded rod. I'll cover using 1/8inch brass rod and small hex
head bolts soon... |
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Exhaust
Cover Modification
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| This modification adds more detail to the exhaust cover (CE0321 & CE0321_M) by adding the reinforcement ridge to the top and bottom edge. I went a step further and added a dent which was a common field damage. If you have not used silver solder before, practice on a piece of scrap steel. The areas to be solder must be very clean and completely coated with flux. It was easy, but a little solder goes a long way. It will file easily if you put too much silver solder on. | |
After
carefully cleaning and reshaping the recess in the exhaust, the
bottom cover was test fitted to make sure it seated correctly. JB
Weld was applied to the assembly and allowed to stand on a plastic
cut from a disposable food storage bin.)
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To create the dent, I mounted the cover to a piece
of wood and pushed a steel bar into the bottom edge. I was careful
not to press too far. |
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Then the cover was bead blasted, and primered. |
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Both exhaust covers
bolted to the rear. These were often damaged during use. Compare the
dented cover to the picture on page 63 in the book, 'Tigers on the
Western Front', by Jean Restayn. |
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The upper section of
the Armortek supplied exhaust covers are too short. This is not an
easy thing to fix. Vince offers a new set, complete with a pressed
reinforcement ridge at the top and bottom. Here is a comparison of
the two with the original on the right and new one from Vince on the
left. Notice the pressed ridge as seen from the inside. |
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Jack
Bracket
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The jack mounting brackets
are secured with M3*16 hex head bolts to the rear hull plate. The
jack and brackets as supplied are not accurate looking but will provide
an opportunity to super detail later. |