Mike,

You should have a back up site. So I say keep it. Might I suggest as a coax a 20mm or 30mm. This would serve the same purpose as a MG but be a little more useful for soft skins. Something like the one on the Flakpanzer IV Kugelblitz

http://www.missing-lynx.com/gallery/german/gfkug-c.jpg

Of all the E-100Bs I've seen your turret looks more like what might have been produced. Now I've got to get one started after the Dive Campaign.

SB

Mike, IMHO I think you did the right thing by removing the coax 75. Also after taking a quick look in the Jentz Tiger II book, the Tiger II would have still kept the optical sight in addition to the range finder, so I would keep it on your E-100B. I would try to put anything mounted coaxel with the main gun on the opposite side of the mantlet from the sight.

Mike

That Mk 103 is nice...any ideas where I can find one in 1/35 scale? I've looked all over this morning...

More images...the digi is finally up and working:

Primary notes, removed 75mm coax, reworked turret items adding loaders hatch, etc., added exhaust flame dampeners







I really like the flash suppressor on the Mk 103 30 mm though try as I might today I couldn't find one in 1/35. I was able to find a Flak 43 3.7 cm cannon to mount as coax. Though as you can see from the images, if I mount the 3.7 cm to the left of the main gun (assuming I put the auxillary site to the right on the mantlet), I'll have to poke it through the turret hull front as there is no room on the mantlet itself. The logical place for the coax would be in the spot where I removed the 75mm (to the right of the main gun), but then I would be left scratching for an area for the aux site as I wouldn't want to mount it above the coax as muzzle flash from it would obscure its use. So logically the coax and the aux site have to be on opposite sides.

Also note the marks in the side of the turret from where I originally mounted the coincidence sites to their final spot then to my second gussing their shape and subsequent removal and then being lost by the cats...so I'm still in a holding pattern there until I can come up with something that is the right approx shap for the coincidence site turret blisters.

Coincidence range finders added. 18mm diameter wood beads as found at Hobby Lobby...They might seem a little large, but I justified it by considering the armor protection in that area (200 mm) as designed.

Looking Awesome Mike! I love your E-100b -post more pics! What paint scheme are you thinking about for it?

Looks very cool Mike. It's fun to sometimes think "out of the box" and get the creative juices flowing.

The only thing I see is the definite need for some type of coax.

Keep us updated!

Yes, I'm on top of that. Have on order a 37mm flak. That should suffice. The 75mm just looked too cartoonish, I think the 37mm would be more practical.

Found this today:

"Tiger III" based on Dragon E100 model

This is giving me some great ideas for my 3 Maus kits and E100 kits... (Insert evil laugh here ) "Q"

It's been a while since I updated. Work has slowed as I've been away on business. I don't have any new images yet, but I've since mounted the 37 mm flak I purchased from eBay (this is the one with the squashed muzzle--I'm awaiting a replacement). I'll try and shoot some images this week and post them.

I'm kicking around a couple of ideas:

I'm still not sold on the larger IR spotlight as it looks too modern, at least its position does. Remember this is supposed to be circa '46.

Secondly, I've added a AAA MG34 at the rear of the turret. I got the idea from a Jadgtiger. Not sure if it works.

Finally, I've built up the commander's MG42 w/IR gear.

Oh, and note the co-ax 37 mm.

Thoughts?

Woodstock, I did a "NachtJager" Maus about 2 years ago. Posted pics on the site. One of the things I did was add search light to the turret as well. The top of the barrel is the most likely place for it. I'd leave it there, your other option is to build a 251 "UHU" and have it Tagging along the Tank. Here is a pic of the "Twins". I scratch built the search light from a bottle cap and wheel hub.

yours looks great. I hope you get some inspiration from these. BTW on the twin 88 AA variant the sight were linked to the gun to aid in sighting bombers. Also I wonder what those would do to a poor little sherman Again great job Hope my IR solution helps you STUG

Mike,

Looking good. Moving the spot light from a support vehicle to the tank itself would be the next logical step in my opinion. You might want to do some kind of armored shutters for the spot light.


SB

Good suggestions as usual! What do you think of the AAA MG34 mounted on the rear of the turret?

Mike,

Personally, I never like carrying any more on the outside of my track than needed. Stuff just gets caught on something and disappears.

Steve

Good point Steve. Though I think I'm going to stick with it as at least it infers that while this is a "What if", it wasn't any wonder weapon and the crew would have needed to be vigilant with Thunderbolts and Typhoons on the prowl still.

Mike,

To many ideas and to little time. I've got to start on my e100 soon.

Could you get a photo from directly above the tank next time you shoot some pics? I'd really like to see a profile from above. I've never seen anyones build from above.


Steve

No problemo. I'll shoot that tonight.

Top view:

Yep,

I think you've got the production vehicle.

Maybe some raised plates over the engine grills?

Oh oh you did the flame dampers, right on.

Any updates?


Steve

No unfortunately...purchased the 37 mm co-ax on eBay (Aber barrel) and the flash supressor was damaged in shipping (shipped in a padded envelope...of course the flash suppressor was squashed). Anyway, been waiting for the proprietor to ship me a new one (which he promised a month ago) and I have yet to either see the part or hear back from him after repeated emails...so, project is sort of on the back burner. Currently finishing up my King Tiger as it is far enough along to only need painting...

Thought I'd post an update...well, I finally recieved the replacement for the damaged flash supressor. Must have gotten it two months ago. By this time the project had been shelved. Its still there, the momentum was squashed when it took so long to receive the replacement part. Here she is, on the shelf:

Oh yeah, King Tiger hasn't been completed yet either...least I got a base coat of paint on it...



Close up:




I'll get back to her, soon even maybe. For now this is keeping me busy:



That's the CSS Virginia Ironclad. My first warship...

Come on Mike, you gotta get back on that E-100!! We have been waiting too long, and you have way too much work in it to see it collecting dust on the shelf.