Ballaratograd
The builder contacte his old mate, General Josef Von Dean to ask where to deploy the Tiger for maximum effect. Josef did not hesitate to direct the crew and tank to the old World War II aerodrome at Ballaratograd.
Pivot turns push the limit.
WWII German Tiger tank drivers had a lot on their mind in battle. Apart from the obvious hazards of flying shells and bullets, they had to monitor the health of the Maybach V12, gearbox and transmission.
The Tiger's mechanical components were pushed to the limit and often failed due to overheating or jammed tracks. Pivot turns where one track moves opposite to the other were forbidden.
Turning Test.
Driving straight is easy going, it is the turns that strain the Tiger's engine, clutches, gearboxes and transmission gears. The video above was taken when the tank was fitted with Shimano hydraulic disk brakes. Unfortunately, they were impossible to adjust or bleed and were consequently replaced with home made mechanical disk brakes.
Stuart Chesher captured the Tiger during its run at the Model Engineering Show in London, December 2013