[MoMo]

Thanks for the feedback LegioLXXll and chascbv,

It was interesting and informative to read about the arrangements of the road wheels between the early and later versions of the Tiger. In various articles which I have read in the past, the authors made mention of Tigers being fitted with wider tracks for winter, so this adds complications to being able to judge whether some tracks are accurate or not.

It is far easier to deal with the exhaust and filtration arrangements of the Tigers than the track arrangements!

Cheers,

MoMo

[chascbv]

Yes, MoMo, you're right. Two types of "winter" tracks were developed - Winterketten in 1942 (for snow conditions; links had extensions outwards) and Ostketten in 1944 (wider links to deal with mud rather than snow). These may be seen in StuGs, PzKpfw IIIs, PzKpfw IVs, Hummels, Nashorns, etc. However, these were not used on Tigers as far as I know.

Confusion stems from the fact that Tigers were indeed equipped with two sets of tracks: standard combat tracks (725 mm) and so-called transport tracks (520 mm). The latter were used to comply with size restrictions on railway flatbeds, and required the removal of all outer road wheels (early type of running gear). The picture shows both types, with the narrow tracks installed for transportation.

[chascbv]

The second 1/35 Tiger II from Dragon is in the shops now. Again it represents a vehicle of sPzAbt 506.

The model is simply awsome, and the zimmerit coat is as good as can be. Notwithstanding all this, the model has a serious flaw (particularly considering its hefty price tag) in that it has no track link hangers and fasteners on its turret sides, both fore and aft. Furthermore, such hangers are a most apparent feature of virtually all Tigers with Henschel turrets (see picture).

Tiger IIs with production (Henschel) turrets were first delivered in June 1944, all with a coat of zimmerit on. In July track hangers were ordered to be installed in all new vehicles. In August all Tigers were to receive a three-tone camouflage scheme during production. In September zimmerit was deleted. In November track link hangers were to be retrofitted to Porsche-turreted Tigers and the few Henschel-turreted Tigers delivered during the late June / early July period. All Tiger IIs were supposed to have track link hangers by the time of the Ardennes offensive. The number and disposition of track hangers changed in March 1945 (a distinctive feature of final production Tigers).

To conclude: the model has zimmerit, no track link hangers, a Henschel turret, and a base coat of dark yellow, so it correctly represents a vehicle delivered in late June / early July. If you just can imagine that the model represents such a vehicle at some date before November 1944 (for instance at Arnhem to stop the British forces there, or at Aachen to fight the Americans), then buy this stunning, wonderful model. But mind you - pictures showing Tiger II tanks without hangers are very, very rare!

[chascbv]

Bastogne is a small town in Belgium, and represented a crossroads of vital importance during the Battle of the Bulge. There the US 101st Airborne Division, 463rd Field Artillery Battalion, and Combat Command B of 10th Armored Division were besieged by 5.Panzer Armée, and these American soldiers put up a heroic fight under the worst circumstances possible (freezing cold weather with no winter gear, snow, lack of food and ammunition, vastly superior enemy forces). When the German surrender ultimatum came, General McAuliffe simply replied "NUTS!".

Then, to the disbelief of all other allied commanders, General Patton managed to dash through enemy territory with some of his units, and finally relieve Bastogne in record time. One of such units was the 4th Armored Division, which included the 35th Tank battalion. Thus, the virtual crew in this beautiful little model must surely be exhausted after a long race through snow-covered roads and forests, under constant attack by German armour and troops.

The model is excellent, and accurately represents an early-production "easy eight" at its combat debut during the Battle of the Bulge. Also, it nicely complements the previous "Thunderbolt VII" release, as this vehicle is not fitted with the latter's add-on appliqué armour plates. As some of you may have noticed, "Thunderbolt VII" had some quality issues... Most samples suffer from loosely-fitting tracks and misaligned wheels (wheels at both ends tend to be lifted up by track tension, meaning that the tracks were installed before the cement in the bogies had set?). Hopefully this has been corrected in this new batch, as this M4A3E8 is truly an excellent model, one well deserving strict QC.




"Hang Tough, Bastogne 1944" by John D. Shaw.

[MoMo]

I bought the Thunderbolt Vll and it has track issues. It was the last one in the shop, so i had to have it. I think that the securing bolts at the base may be the problem. To my eye, the tension seems splay the track assemby and this results in the road wheel bogies being a bit wonky!

MoMo

[tank nut]

love the paint on the dragon tiger, not bad looking at all!

[chascbv]

Originally Posted by tank nut

love the paint on the dragon tiger, not bad looking at all!

Yep... The colour scheme is real "sweet"...

[Cardinal]

This camo scheme and tank is an exact replica of the 1/32 FOV version of the Koenigstiger, which is pretty good with 'gritty' weathering and considerable heft due to the high metal content (in contrast with the mainly 'plastic' Dragon version).

[chascbv]

This is my last acquisition - a Befehlspanzer IV/70, that is, the command version of the Jagdpanzer IV/70, fitted with a so-called "star" or "crow's foot" antenna.

The model represents a mid-to-late production vehicle, which can be readily distinguished from earlier variants by the straight exhaust stacks with flame dampers, and the absence of zimmerit paste (this time Dragon got it right!). The vehicle has a beautiful 3-tone "ambush-type" camouflage scheme, and wears Schuerzen (side skirting plates).

Comparison with blueprints in my references reveal a well-researched, extremely accurate model, and build quality is OK in my sample.

The vehicle is from an unidentified unit in the Western Front, 1945. I have no photos of the real tank, but pictures from vehicles in Panzer Division "Clausewitz" during April 1945 show very similar looking tanks. I have transiently assigned my model to this division (pending any better identification), which was formed early in April 1945 with remnants of other units in the Elbe area, and then virtually wiped out by the Western Allies near Fallersleben late the same month. This Division wouldn't turn one month of age, but fought bravely against overwhelming odds. Their remnants kept on fighting the next month until the war was finally over.

With its high quality and accuracy, sleek "mean" looks, and colourful ambush scheme, this model is a must-have for any collection of WW2 armour, IMHO.



Again I borrowed the enclosed picture from The Flying Mule... I really hope they don't mind my using their excellent pictures for my posts.

[mikeb1958]

Originally Posted by chascbv

Yep... The colour scheme is real "sweet"...

"With the purchase of the lovely tank, we will include our quality coffee mug for the low price of only $10.00 PLUS as a bonus we will add this box of assorted delish Biermann Marzipan candies at NO extra charge. Matches almost perfectly to the scheme of this prized vechicle. If the wife or girlfriend gets mad because you bought another tank to add to the 217 you already have...give her the candies and It's all good until the next armour release, but keep the coffee mug for yourself.'"