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An example of an early Tiger from 502 probably delivered in the second batch as a September build.The first Tiger 1's delivered were sent to Schwere Panzerabteilung 502 [511] in August 1942- Russian front, Leningrad area. These were painted German Grey and lacking in all the details usually associated with Tigers - side sponsons and mounting bolts, turret stowage bin, wide front fenders, exhaust covers etc. From what I can glean from TIC 1, Tiger- History of the Legendary Weapon and various other sources, the first four Tigers sent to 502 were sent to the first company only. One of these was numbered 111 and initially was delivered without a turret bin in August.
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111 going toward the front - no turret bin and the only shot I had for the rear stowage.
According to Jentz's Tiger modifications list the turret bin became available in August but the two hinged toggle bolts [which I hope refers to the wing nuts and bolts on either side of the mg port on the front plate] did not get added until Sept 42. We know 111 is a August prod. Tiger, so, due to this and the fact that early shots show no toggles I did not add them.
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This photo is meant to be 111 and it seems the numbers can just be seen through the dirt and grime on the turret side [maybe?]. This Feb 43 shot shows it has been 'backfitted' with a mk3 stowage bin as well as some unusual additions like the extended exhaust covers [field mod] and a box or something on the side front deck, obviously not fixed. The extra lump of metal is there on the front Glacis as well as no toggles yet, as far as I can see. An earlier photo of the tanks at walk station show no toggles.
The tanks were re-numbered in Feb 43 and photo's of tank 2 [which seems to be 111 because it has that same identifying lump of metal on the front plate] show the toggles but if the earlier photos are truly 111, then these must have been backfitted at some stage.
I originally got this Tiger body off Sam Dwyer as a later, early production with guards etc. He had used a Late Tiger 1 Tamiya body with brass, Kasten tracks and wheels, Jordi turned barrel and a full 'scratched' interior. For whatever reason he decided he didn't want it and gave to me. I backdated it further and re-painted it, adding and changing the details to an initial prod. I took two figures from the Brand new Wespe kit and used them as they really looked cold. I used decals from one of the then available Tamiya armor decal sheets [I WISH THESE WERE STILL AVAILABLE]and built up the base in the usual way.
Since then some more details have become available plus a beautiful version from Dragon.
I did not include the side welds as I did not realise they were there at the time and would have been too hard to update. I have also left on the engine deck vent cover and the engine hatch stoppers, Ionly just realised that they should be removed when I looked at the dragon kit and went back to my
'Modellers Guide to the Tiger Tank'book. I have added some pigments and weathering updates since,as well as the block of metal plate to the side of the drivers port. I have not added the welds to the roof as it is removable to show the nice interior that Sam did [I have done some repainting though].
I look forward to doing more variations of these earlies using the new updated Dragon kit [of which I have 2 ready]
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I added a old wagon wheel with the steel rim coming off as a offset aginst this new 'super weapon'.
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plastic Nymphomaniac
Threaded Mode
