Tigercat 880E longer 1/48 scale

[Biggu]

This build is off the clock , VERY cool. And lights too !!!!

Jeff

[François]

 Now that the 2 Tigercats are done, I started printing 1 of the 2 barges.  It's a fairly complex print. The barge measures 15 3/4 LG x 8 wide so printing in 1 piece is naturally out of the question. The plaform itself is made of 8 parts, 4 top deck and 4 bottom deck. The reason to separate top and bottom is that there will be a 1/8 thick plexiglass sheet between the 2 to simulate the water surface. There is also a ton of add on parts such as cleats, tool boxes, propeller assemblies, communication mast, anchor, a bunch of chain binders, buoys with buoy brackets, tire bumpers...

Here are some pictures of what has been printed so far. 

and here's what it will look like

Edited October 28, 2024 by François

[Big John]

I know you are having just too much fun with this... Has the client decided to buy one?

[François]

Yep, 2 full models. I have the first barge all painted and ready for detailing and final assembly. I've also made 2 bunks (2 per barge). These are submerged steel structures that receive the trees once they are cut. From what I can see on the pictures I have,  the bunks are just painted with red oxyde primer ( or something that looks like it) and are very rusty. So I  primed mine with a red primer and will try to rust them up a bit.

Here are some pictures of the barge fabrication. 

Painted bottom section 

My version of the engine

And the real thing 

Top deck accessories painted and ready for assembly 

engines ready for assembly 

A chain ratchet  binder (that's a toothpick holding it)

Top deck painted, ready for detailing with black panel edger

And a few details 

Top and bottom test fitted (the gap between the 2 is for the plexiglass 

more details 

The bunks fab

first pair primed and ready for rusting

Test fit of bunks and barge

A speaking peek at the end result 

Edited November 1, 2024 by François

[François]

Did some assembly today.  I think it will look pretty good!!

Edited November 2, 2024 by François

[Gary Chastain]

Impressive work

[François]

I 3d modeled printed and assembled the harvester head, that's the part that goes underwater and cuts the trees. Again, not much info, a few pictures,  the owners manual and 1 dimension. I think it came out good. 

Edited November 5, 2024 by François

[Big John]

Can't wait to see how you are gong to display them. ?

[Rockford]

On 11/2/2024 at 2:11 AM, François said:

I think it will look pretty good!!

Master of understatement there! This is unbelievable! Brilliant stuff. 

[François]

Thank you everyone !

They will both be displayed in a separate case. The display case is two fold.  There's an inner plexiglass boxe with the top surface being the lake water with the barge sitting on it and the bottom surface representing the lake bed. There will be a bunch of trees,  the ones in front of the barge will be full length (still uncut) and the trees behind and under the barge will be cut (tree stumps). The harvester hand will be grapping a tree in front as if it is about to cut it.

Over all of this, there will be a full display case to protect everything. 

My job will end once the barge is installed on the lake surface and all accessories including the Tigercat are glued in place. I will then pass the 'baton' to a diorama specialist to complete the setup (trees, lake bed...)

[Big John]

Scenic work, especially to match your level of detail, is a whole different animal. Do keep us in the loop on the scenic detailing if you can. 

[François]

Both models are done,  next step is to install then on their respective plexiglass lake surface and finish installing all the accessories. 

And some last minutes details

Chain ratchet binders

 Bunks anchor cable

 

[Biggu]

Oh my ……….???? spectacular !!!!

[Gary Chastain]

Impressive, well done

[François]

So, my part in this project is done. Tomorrow,  I'll be tranfering it to the diorama guy. Here are some pictures showing a bit how everything came together. 

The inner plexiglass with laser cut openings mounted in a temporary frame

Bottom half screwed in place

Anchor deflector installed 

Both bunks in place

Top half screwed from underneath thru bottom and plexiglass thus locking the bunks in place

Tigercat glued onto the top surface 

Firts chain ratchet binder installed 

Both binder and cross braking cable installed at one end (same was installed at other end of Tigercat)

Tool boxes, front vent and front buoy installed 

Anchor chain glued in place

Mast glued in place 

And 3 retaining cables attached 

Triton arm inserted thru plexiglass and glued in place (all pivots were also glued to eliminate any movement and rigidity the assembly)

And finally,  the harvesting hand was installed after passing the cab lights wires thru 

A few shots of the completed models

And a video 

Hope you enjoyed following this build half as much as l enjoyed making it. 

Edited November 15, 2024 by François

[BK9300]

Spectacular work, François - simply amazing!

[Gary Chastain]

Outstanding build, curious to your next build. 

[François]

Thank you everyone,  I'm going back to the project I was on prior to this one. If you haven't seen it yet, here's the link.

 

 

[LaughingIndian]

Thank you for posting all your great work François!
It is seen and greatly appreciated more than you know!

[François]

Thank you LaughingIndian, 

Here are a few pictures of the Tigercat and barge in the diorama (which I didn't do). It will all be coverded by a plexiglass case.

 

Edited December 11, 2024 by François

[BK9300]

Spectacular realism!

[Biggu]

Wow!!!

[Big John]

Great scenic work gives your beautiful work and added realism.  Thanks for the update.

[Gary Chastain]

Wow, I could stare at that for hours, sure does tell a good story. 

[LaughingIndian]

It looks great, but how did you feel about someone else adding another layer of elements to your work? You must have been nervous!