Tiger 1 tow cables and engine deck grilles.

[John Glover]

Hi fellow tankers. Just thought I would relay some information after doing research for my Initial Tiger 1 build. A lot of modelers wonder why the configuration of the Tiger1 tow cables was changed. Initial Tiger 1s appeared with the tow cables having a tight loop at the front of the top deck with the cable towing eyelets being secured on the engine deck .This was quickly changed in production to the towing cable eyelets secured at the front of the top deck with the cables looping around on the engine deck .[What we think of as a standard layout]The reason the configuration was changed is the initial Tiger 1s were fitted with 22mm tow cables which were not up to the job. The cables were replaced with 32mm cables which were not able to make that tight turn of the first layout. Regards John.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

RCTW can be remarkably scholarly, as you exemplify here, John. You have piqued my curiosity: how did you get the information? Was it from a book or web page? I ask because I'm as addicted to books, etc. as much as RC tanks, trains, farm equipment...

[MrChef]

RCTW can be remarkably scholarly, as you exemplify here, John. You have piqued my curiosity: how did you get the information? Was it from a book or web page? I ask because I'm as addicted to books, etc. as much as RC tanks, trains, farm equipment...

I commend John for sharing this information as well. I remember reading that the tow cables had changed but didn't know why the layout was changed. This makes total sense, thicker cables not being able to make the loop. I do not remember where I had read it before though. I hope John remembers where he gained this tidbit from.

[John Glover]

Hi Herr Professor and Mr. Chef . I am a IT dummy but Google[ Tiger ausf.e small cables on initial Tigers] and [Tiger aust.E Oversize tow cables] Great photos plus you can see in one of these , the deck is a initial Tiger 1 with its placement of the aerial tube with its cap ending over the the end of the back deck plus the second pistol port. One of the photos is a closeup of a small eyelet .This has been zoomed in from a larger photo of Tiger 121 prior to it received its winter camouflage .I am now o fishily screwed and have been told to suck up retirement , so have time to research. Regards John.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Thank you, John. I am a bit rushed just now, but I will see if I can find the links.

[John Glover]

Another small interesting fact is in book[The modeler,s guide to the Tiger Tank] it has different diagrams of the layout of the top of the deck and turret and how things changed through its production. In that book it shows that the initial had a tow cable clamp at the front of the hull to retain the loop section of the tow cables. This is correct .In Jentz and Doyle,s book [Germanys Tiger Tanks DW to Tiger 1.Design, Production & Modifications] there is a photo on page 87 of a Initial[production no 2500012] were you can see this feature plus that there is two tow cables installed. John.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

This may be one of the links to which John Glover refers above. Even if not, it looks generally useful for Tiger I builds: https://tiger1.info/EN/Initial-cables.html

[John Glover]

Thank you Herr Dr Professor.I will get the other link posted. regards John.

[Rob59]

Hey John!
Thanks for this info.
The very early ones did only have one tow cable, instead of the two the later production series had.
Looking forward to the pics from your build.
And as you are retired right now, there must be some spare time left to fool around with the Ini Tiger 1.
Talking about sparetime….I am retired since August 8th this year….. never been so busy since then…..
Cheers, Rob

[John Glover]

Hi Rob .Nice to talk. I don't know about one tow cable but this is what I do know. Tiger 121[Russian front] was production number 250004.In the photos available after its capture you can see the small brackets on each side on the upper deck positioned towards the outer edge and nearly center to the turret. These were to stop the cables moving around so they did not come in contact with the bottom of the turret. So it had tow cables .Jimster built some of these brackets and installed these in his Initial build. These only relate to a Initial. The famous Tiger 100 [Russian front] with the unusual side storage bins, Production no 250009 had these features . Fantastic clear photo of it on display 1943 Gorky park after Russian capture with these features .Same photo also shows wire engine grills fitted. In that photo Commanders side grille is bent upwards ,outer rear corner. This is the photo, Jentz and David Bryden refer to when asked if Initials had grills. For some reason builders think they weren't fitted with them when there is photographic evidence that they were. Another photo available on web page [TOUGHIE.soviet arsernal against the "Tiger"] shows a photo from the other side of the tank with the grille bent upwards as it is on display. Happy tanking .Regards John.