Tiger Tank with a 'Patch' welded on to cover damage ?....

[Dietrich]

Hi All,
          I have been trawling the net for Tiger pictures after I got my first Heng Long and found a picture which shows additional Tracks pieces attached to the front, which I am using on my model. As is more usual it has the links on the outside of the Drivers slit and the MG. It also has 3 links of Panzer III Track in between.....BUT....most interestingly it has what is clearly a 'Patch' welded on the side of the Turret on the left hand as you look at the picture. It makes you wonder if all or any of the crew were injured in the original impact !!
          I have no idea of the link to the page that I got the picture from as it is now over 2 years old and I am sorry that it is so small an image.
                                  Regards,
                                    Alb.

[sevoblast]

It is also possible it was a non penetrating hit, and the patch was welded over the gouge to give it strength. A hit there, or most anywhere in the fighting compartment, would usually do unkind things to the crew from spalling amongst other things.
Notice the soldier in the commander's hatch is American, possibly an officer. And no headlights, MG's are missing, photo is about 14:00 to 15:00 in the afternoon, no other soldiers or vehicles around,  and the trees are leafed out. Possibly an abandoned piece in late April or May of '45, judging from the soldiers field coat. There may be damage to the right rear side in the radiator compartment. Can't see very well though. VCO is not hear to translate this computer to enhance the photo.

[oz]

here's two more pics of the tiger taken at Aberdeen a few years ago............oz

[sevoblast]

So it's the Aberdeen Tiger. I see that what I thought was possible damage on the right rear side is some kind of bracket work. Be interesting to look inside the turret and see the other side of the patch. However, most any competent repair worker would have put a matching patch on the inside of possible.
Second photo looks like late '50's to mid 60's judging from the lead sled in the right rear upper.

[Woz]

http://www.tiger-tank.com/secure/history9.htm

[tankmad]

Sevoblast I'm going to call you columbo from now on you are very observant 
Stevie

[grim_marmazet]

I wouldn't be surprised to see repairs like this. Tigers were very expensive, complex machines that were very difficult to replace. The German's would want them on the field as much as possible, so repairs would be improvised.
Sherman crews would weld on extra plate for armour in the field, so I wouldn't be surprised if the German's would do it as well.
CCheers,
Rik

[oz]

heres a couple more pics...........oz

[sevoblast]

007, you're the one with the moniker, although I would assume it's for Witmanns final ride instead of James Bond,...most people look but don't see. I've done recon from time to time, so I sometimes thru the hops based haze do see things.  Like the later pics at Aberdeen. Notice the two welded on loops top of the mantlet. Not there in the early photo that I can see, and don't remember ever seeing them on a T 1 before. Mayhap BurOrd did that when they disassembled the tanque for inspection. Next time I'm in the States gotta get to Aberdeen. I'm curious now to see what the brackets are for on the right rear hull side. And is that another patch on the right hull side towards the front? VCO can't enhance the photo, so I'm stuck on that.

[Saxondog]

why is the guy in the first picture in comand hatch a american? check out the head gear.Now we know who borrowed the tank for america.if only we could tell who he was.