grab handle

[Nath]

Hi all,
Have started work on my first tank (heng long tiger 1 early production) and as you do I've been doing lots of searching on the web for good ref.
One thing I have noticed is there seems to be a grab handle in front of the drivers vision block on some early Tigers and not on others?
Was this handle to aid mounting the vehicle and was it a mod that only some Tigers received?
Also did the eary production have a couple of patterns of front exhaust vents? As the heng long vent seems flat and not as domed as it apears in some pictures.
Any help would be great
Thanks Nath

[Dietrich]

Hi Nath,
By 'Grab Handle' do you mean the 'U'-Shaped bracket that is seen attached to the thick flat 'bar' that goes across the front part of the hull that holds the spare track links in place
Alb.

[Dietrich]

Hi Nath,
I think that 'This' is the handle that you are referring to .....I have only seen it on one or 'possibly' two Tigers....but I cannot find my other picture...Possibly since this was capture by the British early on in Africa then 'We' the Brits may well have added it....especially since the Tiger was famously 'Examined' by Churchill....who was slightly on the short size and also rather 'comfortably built'....so it may have been added so that HE could get on board .... ......Nath as to the 'exhausts' question please could you upload an image of the part that you are referring to ?? ....There are a couple of patterns of exhaust shrouds at the rear of the Tiger and also the actual exhausts were also changed in the type of their top cover......
Alb.

There is also a second handle on the first 'backwards' sloping plate just literally in front of the drivers slit...it is better seen in this model...(sorry if this belongs to anyone on the Forum...I will happily add your name as a credit if you contact me, but I have forgotten where I got the picture from )

.
Alb.

[DavidByrden]

I think that 'This' is the handle that you are referring to .....I have only seen it on one or 'possibly' two Tigers...

That handle and step were on that one Tiger "131" only. They were installed by the crew.

David

[tiger tiger]

They were on other early tiger 1 and were discontinued as on the eastern front russian soldiers were using them to climb on the tanks to attach magnetic mines/explosives. Check Alan hamby useful site where it gives in chronological order modifications/ removals through the tiger1 developement during the war. Although it doesnt mention the grab handle or front track bar step to be fair. i have seen them on other old warpics/images of early tiger 1 so may be it was a field mod taken up amongst the tankers.

[DavidByrden]

If you have seen this grab handle and step on a picture, it is either an artist's illustration or it is a photograph of Tiger 131. This was one crew's unique modification.

David