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Re: Tiger 1 Build - 301st - Tank No. 433 - Ardennes Offensive
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 10:07 pm
by xrad
Thanks for the info. Anyone know where the jack points on the tank are?
Re: Tiger 1 Build - 301st - Tank No. 433 - Ardennes Offensiv
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 11:05 pm
by grim_marmazet
I'm not sure where the points were, maybe they just put the jack wherever needed? I'm sure someone on here will know though.
I've got a few more bits done today. Firstly we have a double jerry can rack, it was fairly simple to put together, and adds another little detail. As its an Ardennes Tiger, they would've carried whatever fuel they could find.
Next are a few little details, the reflector lense and the tow shackle. I added the small PE chain attachment and a length of chain on the shackle;
Finally, the completed jack and mount. The clamps are fully functional, though very delicate. The clamp for the handle took the better part of an hour to put together, and I must admit I wrecked a couple before I got this one to work! I need to do two more for the starter handle, then thats one more section done.
Cheers,
Rik
Re: Tiger 1 Build - 301st - Tank No. 433 - Ardennes Offensive
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:13 pm
by littletankman
Hi Rik , Your atention to detail is excelent absolutly wonderfull work mate . The jack and mounts which look a tad fidely and time consuming are impressive , the reflector ( does it work
)
. And what can I say about the Jerry cans and mounts
. keep up the good work and I shall look forward to your Kingtiger build .
Andy
Re: Tiger 1 Build - 301st - Tank No. 433 - Ardennes Offensiv
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:31 pm
by grim_marmazet
Thanks for the comments Andy, the photo-etch sets can be time consuming, but if you want super detail, they're the only way to go.
I finished the rear now. I added the starter handle and clamps;
Also the tiny strips that hold up the mudflaps. I apologise about the quality of this pic, I guess my phone isn't quite good enough for these tiny bits;
Finally one shot of the whole completed section! At last! lol
Now onto the track replacement cable and its mounts!
Cheers,
Rik
Re: Tiger 1 Build - 301st - Tank No. 433 - Ardennes Offensive
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:39 pm
by littletankman
Hi Rik , Yer Ive still got those Aber clamps mocking me
. Im looking forward to seeing this finished mate its realy a top job and like I said before a good contendor for masterclass . I will vote for it mate.
Andy
Re: Tiger 1 Build - 301st - Tank No. 433 - Ardennes Offensiv
Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:03 pm
by grim_marmazet
Another load done today. I've got a bit of a bad back, so I hauled myself to my work area, and promptly didn't move until I needed a coffee! lol
The track replacement cable mounts are complex and in many tiny parts, but look awesome! This picture shows the 'U' shaped holders, and the double clamps. They wont be functional as the cable will be glued into place. but hey'll have little butterfly nuts on them.
These are the mounts for the cable ends;
The cable itself is Aber's 1.2mm steel cable, chemically blackened with Carr's metal blac for steel. This has the advantage of being easy to rub down and show steel underneath, giving the cable a good worn look. The ends were wrapped over and held in place with thin copper wire. This was painted with Gunze Sanyo Mr. Metal Colour Iron. They'll be buffed up to give a bit of a shine to them.
Finally, an overall shot. I still need to do two more mounts, and the cable won't be fitted until the tank is painted, but it gives you an idea.
Cheers,
Rik
Re: Tiger 1 Build - 301st - Tank No. 433 - Ardennes Offensive
Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 10:38 pm
by littletankman
Hi Rik, Now thats very impresive .
Andy
Re: Tiger 1 Build - 301st - Tank No. 433 - Ardennes Offensive
Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:35 pm
by grim_marmazet
I'm still suffering with back pain, so I can't get much done, but I did get the afternoon off work
, so I added some little bits today.
I finished the track replacement cable clamps. I was dreading these tiny bits, but they weren't so hard afterall. I also added the tiny tie down loops on this side.
I added the engine heater cover as well. This was taken from my KT, and I added the casting letters on the top. These were from the Aber 1.0mm Letters and Numbers set.
That's all I could get done today.
Cheers,
Rik
Re: Tiger 412 - s.pz.abt 506 - Ardennes Offensive
Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:26 pm
by grim_marmazet
I have been doing some extensive research into s.pz.abt 301(fkl). It turns out their participation in the 'Wacht Am Rhine' was sadly non-existant. I quote this section from a thread on
www.feldgrau.net;
schwere Panzer-Abteilung (Tiger/Fkl) 301 with 29 Tiger Is received word on 15 December 1944 that they were to be attached to the 9. Panzer-Division. They assembled in Niederaussem to entrain for transport which was scheduled to begin on 20 December 1944. On 22 December 1944 members of the unit Stab went into the Eifel to establish contact with the HQ of the 9. PD, which was scheduled to relieve the 2. PD fighting near Celles. However, before the rail transport of the Tigers could happen, all of the rail lines had been destroyed so on 25 December 1944 301 was released from it's attachment to the 9.PD. The Tigers were unloaded and 301 moved to Nörvenich where it became an Army Group reserve of the LXXXI. Armee-Korps. During the first half of 1945 301 carried out repairs and maintenance to their equipment as well as personnel reorganization. Hence they never took action in the Ardennes actions. In fact they did not enter action untill 20 January 1945 at Waldfeucht aganist the British in the Rhineland operations. At this point they had 27 Tiger Is. It appears the reduction of 2 was the result of 2 Tiger Is being sent to Maintenance in early January 1945. When they went in combat in the second half of January 1945 they had 52 BIVs on their roster. However it appears that the demo tanks were never used again although there were orders for them to be used to destroy bridges over the Ruhr River on 10 April 1945. This order was recinded so the demo tanks were sent back to the supply unit.
I also have this information backed up by heavily researched sources on other sites, and in the Battle of the Bulge: Then and Now book.
So this means I have to change plans again. The only serving Tiger company was the former Kompanie Hummel, that was reassigned as the 4.Kompanie of s.pz.abt 506. I'm also going to re-number my Tiger to 412. I know there was a 411, which was knocked out ten miles east of Bastogne, at Oberwampach. The numbering for s.Pz.Abt 506 was 1st number was the company, the the last two numbers was the number of the tank in that company. Hummel originally had 14 Tiger 1's when it was put into action in Arnhem, but only 8 were operational by the Ardennes Offensive, and its absorption into the 506th. 506's Tiger 1's were all Hybrids as well, having been reassigned from various Theatres and refitted, so I can get away with some varied parts on mine. I plan on creating a whole back story for my Tiger when its done.
This also has the side benefit of being able to do my Tiger and KT from the same unit fighting in the same area.
If anyone has any pictures of 506 Tigers in the Ardennes or after, that would be very appreciated.
Cheers,
Rik
Re: Tiger 1 Build - 301st - Tank No. 433 - Ardennes Offensive
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:23 pm
by grim_marmazet
I've started to detail the upper deck now, a little at a time. The first part is the fire extingusher. I had to clean up, sand and fill the original kit part so I could add the PE parts. It went together pretty easily, but like all PE parts it takes plenty of time and patience to complete.
Excuse the Green Putty on the front, I damaged it and had to refill the area. It'll look fine when painted, and I have a Tetra label decal to add the final touch when painted.
Cheers,
Rik