Tiger 412 - s.pz.abt 506 - Ardennes Offensive

[grim_marmazet]

Just a little update today guys. I was working on the gun sleeve.
I've added the 6 recessed grub screws. This is not a fun task, but after a while of straining my eyes and a bit of foul language as the tiny screw heads I made went flying and I got them done! Then realised one set of screws were too far back, so I filled them in and am going to re drill them.
They were fairly simple once I worked it out. I used a small bit in a pin vise, then cut a small length of styrene rod, used a craft knife to score the end, then glued it in the hole.



I also added the drainage hole in the bottom of the sleeve.

[littletankman]

Hi there,
Very good . Its coming together nicley well done . Are you going to add the tank number to .

All the best Littletankman

[grim_marmazet]

I'm thinking to number it 433, after the T34/Tiger seen in Band of Brothers in the battle of Foy. I dont know if there really where Tigers there, as I cant find any info about the battle. But my Tigers history will say It was involved in the battle.
Cheers,
Rik

[Ex_Pat_Tanker]

I read the book (which is excellent, like all of Stephen E Ambrose's work), which admittedly was a couple of years ago now but I don't recall tanks being mentioned...

Having said that the series is pretty darn close to the book so I could be wrong - guess I'll have to read it again 

[vonrundstedt]

Coming along realy nicely, looks like alot of work though. Looking forward to seeimg it progress.

                                      Luke

[grim_marmazet]

I looked in the book, and after a great deal of research as well I found an answer. 

The men of Easy company did report 3 Tigers in Foy which escaped after the battle. These tanks were from the 301st Heavy Panzer Battalion, which was attached to the 9th Panzer Division. These tanks were rebuilt models, featuring an array of features. From what I can tell they came from Italy, France and even a couple from the Eastern Front. Were rebuilt at the factory, and sent Back to France, where the Battalion was replenished.

Thats one of the things I love about this hobby, you end up learning so much history! Also, this means I can be a bit lenient on features, as no known photos exist of the Tigers at Foy, or the 301st in general. I plan on this being a Hybrid.

Cheers,
Rik

[Ex_Pat_Tanker]

Excellent - I'll look forward to seeing this beastie!

[grim_marmazet]

Some more pics for you guys! Today i've been working on the turret.

Just the usual Tamiya build. In the first pic, ive been trying to replicate the three-part bar at the top and bottom of where the mantlet inserts. The real tank had 2 circular bolts with hexagonal recessions in them. I lack the tools to produce those, so i'll probably just use hexagonal nut heads.




The next picture shows the mod I made to the back of the glacis plate as there was a gap between the side of the plate and the hull. It just hold it all in secure.



The rest of the pics are just the electronics installation.







Cheers,
Rik

[Rivetcounter]

I looked in the book, and after a great deal of research as well I found an answer. 

The men of Easy company did report 3 Tigers in Foy which escaped after the battle. These tanks were from the 301st Havey Panzer Battalion, which was attached to the 9th Panzer Division. These tanks were rebuilt models, featuring an array of features. From what I can tell they came from Italy, France and even a couple from the Eastern Front. Were rebuilt at the factory, and sent Back to France, where the Battalion was replenished.

Thats one of the things I love about this hobby, you end up learning so much history! Also, this means I can be a bit lenient on features, as no known photos exist of the Tigers at Foy, or the 301st in general. I plan on this being a Hybrid.
Cheers,
Rik

One thing you have to consider is that there where only a small number of Tiger I in the Ardene's offensive now there may have been 1 or more Tiger's there but the Americans called everything German with tracks a Tiger so the possibility was they where Panzer IV or Panther don't take everything the Americans say as accurate

[grim_marmazet]

The reports can be inaccurate. Im not too fussed about modelling a tank exactly. Im just going for a general idea of what the battalion used, then create as I wish. The 301st did have 21 Tigers listed in the batallion at the time of the Ardennes Offensive, and were known to be in the area of Foy. Anymore than that is guesswork mostly. Anything that directly says Tigers werent there, then i'll change to do a different tank.

Now if anyone can find me photographic evidence of Tigers on the western front with feifel cleaners on i'll be very happy!

Cheers,
Rik