The
History
In
1942 Germany was desperate to start the production of a new heavy tank able to
fight the Russian KV’s.
Both
Henschel and Porsche presented a heavy tank.
The
Porsche design was revolutionary, exceeding everything what was before.
To
petrol engines were powering two generators witch were powering two electric
engines, system which allowed a greater flexibility as a normal gear box. But
the design was plagued by an immature suspension (longitudinal torsion bars) and
an unbelievable fuel consumption – 770 litre/ 100km.
When
the tank were presented to Hitler at the first turn two torsion bars already
snapped but we must say that Henshel’s prototype was no better. After a 200m
run at max speed (Porsche Tiger was faster) when returning Henschel stopped his
tank at 100m from Hitler saying that he didn’t wanted to disturb the
conversation with noise. But the fact was that he was terribly afraid that the
engine will be on fire if he is not stoping the tank.
Henshel
won the contest due to the army representatives that were afraid by the complex
maintenance that required the Porsche design and the immature suspension.
But
Hitler ordered that 90 chassis to be build as back-up and those were transformed
in the “Ferdinand” and “Elefant” tank hunters. An unbelivable tank
hunter, armed with a 88mm canon, but badly used by the German army.
We
know that only one single Tiger with Porsche chassis has seen action in “Schwere
Panzerjager Abteilung 653” – the commander tank. Due to the fact that rest
of vehicles were “Elefants” maintenance was not a big issue.
The
Tiger had the code 003 and was used between April and July 1944 by Hauptmann
Grillenberg. The tank was lost during a fight with Russian armour in eastern
Poland.
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The
kit
It’s
an excellent kit, parts fits very well, with some minor inaccuracies, mostly due
to the data available on the time when Dragon finished the mould for this kit.
The
greatest issue is the missing Zimmerit. It was added when the Tiger was sent on
the Eastern front.
It
has also several minor inaccuracies witch were corrected during the build.
The
build
I
made the Zimmerit with Modelling paste and a cutter. I didn’t bother to make
it very strait because it was not made in factory conditions.
I
made a new escape hatch on the right side of the turret as it seems that the
tank didn’t arrived on the front with the original turret (early
series) and
was fitted with late series turret.
The
right side of the turret protection ring
had to be rebuild
completely t. A lot of working hours were spend in order to obtain the rough
surfaces (specific for plates made in foundries) and to simulate the cuts made
by flame.
I
have used plastic glue and a hard brush to made the surface uneven. I have
further enhanced this with a milling cutter.
Another
issue was the frontal supplementary armor plates. In the area of the machinegun
the plates are inaccurate. I had to cut the plate and glue a plastic sheet in
over to obtain an accurate form.
I
have also cut down the mud protections and made new ones from a beer can. In
this way I could bend them as I wanted.
I
also added the protective grid over the electric generators cooling system. This
feature seems to be added by the crew on the front.
Several
hits, including a AT shot were simulated in different parts of the model. I
have
also simulated the broken Zimmerit according to hits and other damages. Were the
Zimmerit has fallen it is visible the original grey color of the tank.
Antennas
were made from steel wire and painted in dark grey (they were covered in rubber)
I
have added electrical cables, three helmets, a packed cover and a bucket at it
seems to be on almost all the original photos I have seen.
Decals
went incredible good and I used Solva Sol and Solva Set in order to make them
apply over the rough Zimmerit. I cut
out
the decals in the areas were the Zimmerit has fallen down.
Conclusion:
This
is also my first tank. I have worked from January to September in order to
finished this model.
Christian
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