[chascbv]

Sorry if this reply comes a bit too late for this thread, but I just joined the forum yesterday.

According to the book on the Tiger I by T. Jentz and H. Doyle, track hangers were fitted to turrets starting March 1943. So-called mid production Tigers are those fitted with the new cupola (the one with periscopes around it) until the arrival of all-steel road wheels (the hallmark of late-production Tigers), with production starting July 1943.

No photographs exist of Wittmann's Tiger at Kursk. However, those depicting other vehicles in the same unit show turrets both with and without track hangers, the former wearing their tactical numbers (13xx) as in the pictures above, and the latter at the centre of the turret sides.

The photograph above (Tigers on a train) is very interesting - if it really shows Tigers on their way to Kursk, note that the leading tank (to the right of the picture) is already a mid-production unit with the new commander's cupola. It then had been finished only a few days before the picture was taken! The remaining tanks are early-production Tigers manufactured before March 1943 (no spare tracks on their turrets). The other photos show early-production Tigers (early cupolas) as manufactured between March and July 1943 (with track hangers and spare links).

Hope this helps!

[Copland]

Check out www.alanhamby.com. This site is a good Tiger I reference site.

[chascbv]

Wow! Thanks a lot, Copland. This is a superb site. I really appreciate it!

[wurger_high]

another awesome site for tanks, including the tiger tank. http://www.fprado.com/armorsite/main.html

[Martin Baker]

Originally Posted by Copland

Check out www.alanhamby.com. This site is a good Tiger I reference site.

Great site & just want ive been looking for

[chascbv]

I just received my 1/35 Wittmann's Tiger by Dragon. Here are a few pictures so you can see the real product and decide whether you'd like to buy one or otherwise.