Once the restoration has been completed, it must be put back in it's original setting.
A plinth could easily be made, so that the Tiger could be covered or removed during the winter months (snow/ice).
It would have a dramatic effect, back off the road, with it's cannon facing downhill.
Just my opinion, but surely it could be done?
How many tourists would flock to see the new Battlefield relic Tiger on display, in it's natural surroundings?
Another bit of trivia is the "reconstruction" of the rear deck of the Tiger....... it's a bit of a cobbled together effort!!
Over the years some of the parts removed were the Maybach V12 engine cover, all the easily removed engine parts, the two vented hatches for the twin radiators and everything associated with them ( & obviously easily scrapped)
This is what it once looked like.
You can clearly see the big hole in the rear deck in this photo.
What to do? .... well the engine cover was easily replaced with flat steel plate ( same as the plates welded over the commander, loader, driver & gunner's hatches ) but the radiator covers? ....... well, they are off a Panzer IV ..... both of them!! Somehow ( probably from Alain Roudeix's vast collection ) they sourced TWO covers and turned them sideways ( to fit the openings )
" I'm putting off procrastination until next week "
After restoration ther Tiger will go to a location in Vimoutiers town centre , the Town Council realise it is the most visited tourist site they have and want all the Tourists in the centre of Town to hopefully spend money in the local cafes etc .
That said the Tiger was originally going to be restored for the 70th anniversary then again for the 75th and we are still waiting for it to be removed to Saumur !
The gates of hell were opened and we accepted the invitation to enter" 26/880 Lance Sgt, Edward Dyke. 26th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers , ( 3rd Tyneside Irish )
1st July 1916
Thought shall be the harder , heart the keener,
Courage the greater as our strength faileth.
Here lies our leader ,in the dust of his greatness.
Who leaves him now , be damned forever.
We who are old now shall not leave this Battle,
But lie at his feet , in the dust with our leader
House Carles at the Battle of Hastings
Maybe the 80th Paul?......
BTW, can you correct the spelling of the town in the thread title please? ( to avoid showing my ignorance)
Cheers, Dan
" I'm putting off procrastination until next week "
Will do Dan , last time i was at Saumur in 2019 prior to Covid the Tank Museum staff had no idea when it would arrive , the renovation and return all influenced by money of course .
The gates of hell were opened and we accepted the invitation to enter" 26/880 Lance Sgt, Edward Dyke. 26th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers , ( 3rd Tyneside Irish )
1st July 1916
Thought shall be the harder , heart the keener,
Courage the greater as our strength faileth.
Here lies our leader ,in the dust of his greatness.
Who leaves him now , be damned forever.
We who are old now shall not leave this Battle,
But lie at his feet , in the dust with our leader
House Carles at the Battle of Hastings
OK, ready for another Tiger Tidbit?
Look at these 2 photos - see what is jammed under the front drive sprocket?
Yes, its the driver's hatch!!( or the radio operator / aux gunner's one )
Man o' man, that would have been quite the souvenir!!! I wonder who scored that and when?
Because it is missing in all the earlier photos - was it wedged under there for years and no-one could pry it free?
Cheers, Dan
Last edited by Danmark; 03-03-2021 at 05:28 AM.
" I'm putting off procrastination until next week "
Great piece of info' mate, I bet that hatch has been sold for a few thousand £-$'s..
I could have bought one last year, I wonder if it was the same one
Still regret not buying it.
I found an interesting set of photos online taken ( I assume ) by someone who was able to access the interior with more than just a cellphone!!
They tell us a lot.
This image shows the forward position and torsion bars - in many articles it says the suspension "collapsed when the torsion bars broke"" but clearly they didn't break - they were cut with oxy/acetylene when the scrappers were taking parts off the beast ( this photo clearly shows the cuts )
You can also see the nearly completely gutted interior ... no differential, no final drives, seats, linkages, wiring, nothing - they really went to town stripping it and that is one reason why a restoration would be so expensive!!
This next photo shows what needed to be done to present the 88mm gun in its current elevation - a BIG steel section has been wedged and welded into place! It looks like it was originally a chunk of concrete in front but later (more recently by the fresh rust ) the more substantial steel was added - to prevent people like Martin from dislodging it while sitting on the gun
No Viagra needed!!
Finally, the remains of the Maybach V12 and destroyed bulkheads .... they really gutted this old girl!!
" I'm putting off procrastination until next week "
Is it definitely being restored ??
I guess I'm putting it in the TOO HARD basket based on these images etc... its basically a box on tracks!by HistoryMan
In my opinion -"Leave it alone" - its lasted 77 years like this, it WILL last another 77 left as is.
" I'm putting off procrastination until next week "
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