EARLY TIGER QUESTION ?

[jeman]

Hi guys........can anyone tell me if an early Tiger without the turret stowage bin could still have the side guards fitted on the hull ? ive seen a lot of photos with early Tigers without the turret stowage bin and no side guards

any info would be appreciated
cheers
Mark

[jarndice]

Mark, Hi, The Track Guards were first fitted in November 1942 as were the Hinged track guards front and rear,
In December 1942 Straight side track guards were added.
The emergency escape hatch was fitted in the same month, before the escape hatch there would have been a second pistol port in that position instead.
The Baggage Bin was added in January 1943. There was an evolutionary period before the Baggage Bin design was finalised. Initially it was a modified Panzer 111 Baggage bin.
I Hope that helps.
Shaun.

[jeman]

Thanks Shaun........that has answered all my questions on it and I'm now happy to continue
cheers bud
Mark

[jeman]

OK sorry but I've got one more question...........if an early Tiger has no stowage bin fitted on the turret, does this mean that it would have had a pistol port either side or can it still have a pistol port and escape hatch ? I have tried to research it, but cant find any footage of a early tiger with no stowage bin having pistol port / escape hatch

cheers guys

[jarndice]

The first Tiger 1s were delivered in August 1942,
They had TWO pistol ports one on each side of the Turret,
in December 1942 the Pistol port on the Radio aerial/Hull Machine Gunners side of the body was replaced by an Escape Hatch,
In January 1943 a Baggage bin was fitted across the rear section of the Turret,
This initially was a modified Panzer 111 bin which evolved into the more common later type.
The Turret had a number of modifications over its time in service including the moving of the ventilation cover from the rear of the Turret to the centre and later still further foreward,
There was a pronounced thickening of the Armour in the Roof of the Turret, the Loaders hatch was changed to a small hinged version and the Cupola design was changed completely,
The early Main Gun Mantlet was changed in November 1942 from the early flat plate including the area around the gunners aiming ports with thickened vertical bars at each end to the shape common to all the later turrets including the raised area surrounding the Gunners aiming Ports. If you are unsure of what I mean, I suggest you look at the Main Gun Mantlet of the Bovington Tiger (131) and any Heng Long/Taigen/Torro Mantlet these are patterned on the later Tiger 1.
I hope that helps.
Shaun.