509 Tiger 1 - Mid production

[brokeneagle]

Tamiya Tiger 1 1/35 scale


This display depicts a mid-production Tiger 1 from 509, initially delivered to the Battalion in Sept. ’43. This unit took part in the heavy fighting in the Fastow area in Oct/Nov 43 on the Eastern Front and were sorely tested by the new T34/85. I picked one of these early Mid-production versions from 509 because they were quite distinctive; 509 received one of the last batch's [in Sept] that had the new commanders cupola, Feifel filters but still no Zimmerit coating- produced Jul '43 [using Panzer facts - Jentz & Doyle].The headlights had not been centered yet and from what I can tell from photos, they tendered to keep the left hand headlight only. Tigers in combat 1 profiles , as well as some Polish titles, show a centered headlight, but I cannot find any evidence for this.
Tankpower 14 Tiger vol.2
- ignore the strange yellow cam variation, it is only a distortion from scanning. It should all show as yellow in between the red brown.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/3dbattleart/Tiger1%20-%20Russia%20509/PROFILE.jpg
The headlight centering & Zimeritt application from the factory is recorded as Aug 43, the headlight mod in the same month, however, I cannot find a pic anywhere that shows a Tiger without Zimm and the H.light centre mounted.It seems to have happened after the Zimm. If anybody has one I would love them to post it.
There are also a number of different color representations and lettering sizes throughout my references, I picked the, Red brown. Olive green cam was also used but it seemed to depend on the platoon.
TIC 1
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/3dbattleart/Tiger1%20-%20Russia%20509/Untitled.jpg
Waiting for recovery from a land mine hit on the left side track.TIC1
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/3dbattleart/Tiger1%20-%20Russia%20509/RECOVERY.jpg
The kit is basically a Tamiya mid, out-of-the-box with some minor details added like feifel chains, headlight wires, wing nuts, headlight mount right side[bare],welds and rear deck screens etc.
The figures are from Tristar, which make some great sets without going to Resin. The Commander is the one from the kit. I haven't tried to go to fancy with this one, more of a 'lazy' build which I like from time to time.
There are always units that are peoples favourites and 509 is mine for Tigers because of the details mentioned above as well as the fact that they used Russian style lettering in white on the forward turret sides.
They also recieved[according to TIC 1] in Feb.'44, 8 Tigers that were 'almost the last ones with the old suspension'. They had Zimmerit and almost certainly would have still had the mounts for the "feifel" filters, if not the "feifels" themselves. A rare one for Zimm and the new cupola.
* yes i know, I forgot to drill out the cast feifel tubes.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/3dbattleart/Tiger1%20-%20Russia%20509/IMG_1573.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/3dbattleart/Tiger1%20-%20Russia%20509/IMG_1572.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/3dbattleart/Tiger1%20-%20Russia%20509/IMG_1564.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/3dbattleart/Tiger1%20-%20Russia%20509/IMG_1574.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/3dbattleart/Tiger1%20-%20Russia%20509/IMG_1576.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/3dbattleart/Tiger1%20-%20Russia%20509/IMG_1578.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/3dbattleart/Tiger1%20-%20Russia%20509/IMG_1586.jpg

[James Tainton]

I really like looking at these dios of yours. How many do you have? ;)
When I first saw this one, I saw the tread marks in the mud behind the massive beast, my mind had a thought that it would have been cool if the wooden picture frame surrounding the dio. had been marked up and roughened as if the tank had damaged it as it rolled onto the base itself. Kind of extending reality

[Larry Bates]

Nice idea James :thumb:

Ian, Totally cool Tiger. ;)

Larry

[brokeneagle]

Thanks guys.
Interesting idea on the edge of the frame, I had never thought of that!
Might give that a run on the next one that is close to the edge.
How many have I got? A lot. I have been modelling without a digital for quite a while so Now that I have one I have gone a bit insane.

[KingTiger]

[QUOTE=brokeneagle,Dec 31 2005, 04:05 AM] Tamiya Tiger 1 1/35 scale


This display depicts a mid-production Tiger 1 from 509, initially delivered to the Battalion in Sept. ’43. This unit took part in the heavy fighting in the Fastow area in Oct/Nov 43 on the Eastern Front and were sorely tested by the new T34/85.

Hi Ian

Great looking kitty. This diorama looks great. I just want to mention that the turret on the ground is of a T34/76 model 1942. Great work.

KingTiger

[brokeneagle]

Thanks Manuel,
I picked the earlier 76mm turret because it was a nicer fit on the base and to show the two extremes in turret sizes. The mention of the ' 85 in the write up was not meant to link to the dio as it came after i built the dio. I mentioned this out of historical interest but now that you have brought it up I see what you mean. I had an 85 mm spare too, oh well , maybe next display. ;)
Thanks.

[brokeneagle]

Here are some shots I couldn't fit in the initial post. A bonus for those who read the whole thread I suppose.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/3dbattleart/Tiger1%20-%20Russia%20509/IMG_1571.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/3dbattleart/Tiger1%20-%20Russia%20509/IMG_1577.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/3dbattleart/Tiger1%20-%20Russia%20509/IMG_1575.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/3dbattleart/Tiger1%20-%20Russia%20509/IMG_1579.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/3dbattleart/Tiger1%20-%20Russia%20509/IMG_1580.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/3dbattleart/Tiger1%20-%20Russia%20509/IMG_1568.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/3dbattleart/Tiger1%20-%20Russia%20509/IMG_1569.jpg