Having recently completed building a Tamiya Tiger1 - 1/16th scale, I have a question or 2 which I hope any of you can help me with. The tamiya kit is beautifully done and exactly to scale and a great joy to build. As I understand, the decals was taken from real battalions during WW2. If I supply the numbers ect., would you be able to supply me with more info regarding the tank?. Why was the road wheels such a complicated affair bearing in mind Germany at that time foreseeing a protracted war? (Lower ground pressure cannot be the only reasoning, bearing in mind the Pershing was also a heavy). - Even the King Tiger had less road wheels, but the same type of suspension system - Hope anyone can help.
It was something to do with the ground pressure ratio of the tank on the type of terrain in Europe's roads. This type of whell configuration was one of the achillies heels to the field servicing of this fine piece of armour.
With regard to my first quesion the folloing is the number they supplied - sPzAbt 505, Russia, Summer 1943. Anything will help. Thanks
Lyndon is your man on this. You could send him a PM, I'm sure he would be willing to tell you all about it as this is his specialty. About the suspension, I think lower ground pressure really was the whole reason for it. As well as giving support to wider tracks, which in turn give lower ground pressure and better cross-country abilities (a treat the Germans learned from the Russians). It has nothing at all to do with the foresight of protracted war. In fact, later in the war the Tiger's newly built edition had steel wheels instead of rubber-rimmed ones becaue of a shortage in rubber.
sa tiger, Schwere Panzer Abteilung 505 in Russia summer 1943? Nice battalion. Later on fom late 1943 they painted the Charging Knight emblem on the turrets. 505 was in the northern section of the Kursk salient in summer 1943. If you give me the actual turret number of the tank then I might even be able to scan a picture if I have one of that particular tank. I have some pics of 505 Tigers from summer 1943. Just give me the turret number from the decal. Also, as Roel has said later Tiger Is (from Jan 1944) had steel wheels exactly the same as in the king Tiger and there were fewer of these wheels. The outermost set of wheels were deleted when these new wheels were introduced. Lyndon
Lyndon, was this Charging Knight painted from 1943 and onwards or not? cause I have an (unpainted) Tiger II 1944 with thesame Knight on it... :-? is that correct? (oh yeah, have you seen my GrossDeutschland Tiger 1?I think it's pretty nice..)
Hi Panzer Profile, I've just seen your GD Tiger. Cool! Really great job PP. Just how it should look. I'm glad my pictures helped. I always forget to come into the modelling section here. I'll try to look in more often in future. The Charging Knight was painted on from late 1943 and 1944. A King Tiger in 1944 should have it on. There was a square of Zimmerit removed or left blank so this Charging Knight could be painted on (although the Tiger Is had no zimmerit removed). Hope this helps.
Thanks a lot! Well you've done the major part in making it look this way I see. Thanks. This means I can leave it on :lol:
