@Eddy Nevarez,
the insulation material is called STYRODUR here in Germany and it comes from Germany company BASF. It`s abavlable in plate from 20 mm (3/4 inch) to 100 mm (4 inch) thickness the plates are normally 1200 mm (47 inch) by 600 mm (23 inch). This material can be easily cut with a modelling knife and sanded of filed.

HTH
Hans-Hermann

@Hans-Hermann Bϋhling – HermannB,

Thank you for taking the time on posting information and name of product it is very much appricated, hopefully I will be able to get a sample for later use on upcoming projects.

~ Eddy

I'm glad you're back. You've already given me a lot of inspiration for my own Maus build (mine will just be a simple diorama with only some of the more obvious flaws fixed, as befits my meager skills).

Bravo!! This is an awesome build! can't wait to see more!

Well, you'll have to wait until tomorrow. The Maus is back!

Woo happy day's are here again!!!!!! Can't wait!

Hi mate here is that picture of the drivers seat I found. To me it looks more like it is out of the E100. Just to the right of the seat it looks like the side of the transition/drive train. Anyway it might be useful.

It is from the E100 indeed, it is so roomy! No way could it have been taken in the Maus, because there is a bulkhead just behind the driver's seat, and the seat itself looked more like a dentist's chair, being raised hydraulically.

Before tackling the driver's compartment I had to correct an error:



The door in the wall behind the driver as initially built (as seen in the picture above) is incorrect, and had to be redone. The correct version can be seen below, with its enlarged, asymmetrical bulge designed to make room for the compressor of the initial motor, a modified DB603 aviation engine:

The face of the instrument panel located to the left of the driver looks like this:

Nice work Florin! Thanks to you I have a better understanding of this magnificent beast.

Keep up with the great work!
Cheers Alex

I too totally agree, keep up the excellent work!

~Eddy

Absoulutly awesome!

Glad you guys like it, stay tuned for more!

You are doing a fantastic job! Really looking forward to the next steps!

John

A tiny update for now. The smaller handle is for the main fuel tap, while the larger one above it is for a fuel hand-pump. These are located on the rear bulkhead, to the right of the door (looking to the back).

Cool update! It seems to me there are a lot of steps to get this beast running.

It was quite an involved procedure: the driver would open the main fuel tap, fuel would be pumped into the system, while the radio operator opened the main hydraulic valve located to his right front, the driver pressed the amber colored button, bringing the electric system to life with a hum. Then the ignition switch would be flicked and the Maus would roar!

Florin with all you know you should write a book about this beast. You really know how to bring the Maus alive with your knowledge.

I agree with Alex,
You have the know how to write the diffinitive Maus book.
J

The documentation at hand would compile into a solid, hefty article, but a book would take 5 to 10 years of in-depth research and another 5 years to process the information and write. Time is not the issue however, but lack of funding. In order to bring new information the book would require research journeys to France for some archive documents, England to track down the original factory drawings, Germany - visit at Daimler-Benz tracking the MB 517, maybe find something at Porsche and do some detective work about Kampfgruppe Kahler during the final days of the war, and Russia where the hybrid is, also to investigate the rumors about the third Maus. The formal training and the willingness for such an endeavor do exist, but without the material means it can't be done. I'd rather share information here with you guys!

Preview of the driver's left side. A switch box for the valve batteries was added to the rear wall and you can see the handles temporarily fit.

Oh very nice. On the book idea, Kickstarter or any crowd fund site will help out as a English book on the Maus is not at all available and I'm sure that once modelers and armor fans find out about it will support it. I know I will! Just a little food for thought. Your updates get me all kinds of excited

Cheers Alex

A book about Maus is actually brilliant idea. I sure as hell would buy it.

Once this book is released in English you'll have all you need: It's extremy detailed. A book on building the Maus like Florin is doing, now that would be sweet!

John

No need to wait, I already own it and have read it a year ago when it was released. According to its author, son of the director of the Boblingen Testing Facility during the war, it is unlikely to be published in other language than German.