Tiger tanks--How many built ? Factory color's off the assembly line?

[BIGMIG]

Have a few general questions on the Tiger and I know there are guys here who study these and can answer my question's.I know there are lots of books out on the various models of the german tanks so I'll stick with the tiger to keep it simple.

What years were they built---
how many was produced----
how many factorys or assembly lines produced these---
how many colors was used to paint them when they came out the factory door for shipment to there destination----                (I assume there was lots of in the field modds--so lets stick with factory paint jobs ) 

                                                BIGMIG 

[oz]

the approx figures are, 1942-78 1943-649 1944-623.
( not sure i understand the last part but ) when they came out of the factory in either base yellow or Grey, they were left like this and painted by their units. heres an interesting fact, the green paint was a Luftwaffe paint intended to be used on buildings and ground installations.........

[BIGMIG]

Hey thanks oz,
  That got the first two questions for me.Just looking for these answers in general.Now the basic paint colors that were used by the factorys and what is known on where they were built.
                                  Larry 

[oz]

the basic paint colors used by the factory was two Grey and yellow, all other colors (green, red/brown or white) were applied by the units themselves, the DAK also had 2 or 3 colors.http://www.alanhamby.com/factory1.shtml

[BIGMIG]

Thanks for the basic colors oz --
We are getting close to answering all my questions.Just wonering now how many plants there were that built them.
Thought of one more that is of interest to me.If what I have seen here on the forums (if I got this right)
there was two sets of tracks for these---transport tracks,and I assume battle tracks.If this is the case
(two sets) did they come out of the factory with transport tracks,and then get the battle tracks installed after they got to were ever they were being sent.?? And if this was the case how and where was these extra tracks carried ---Was they with a particular tank and then swapped out,and after changing them out just left where ever they were changed out.??

                        Larry 

[oz]

heres a pic that will help, they came out of the factory in battle tracks, then they were put through their paces for tests, most of them would have been transported without battle tracks these would be fitted once they reached their destination, although sometimes tigers were transported with battle tracks fitted..........

[BIGMIG]

Hey thanks again oz,
  That picture explained a lot.I had mabe thought they had somehow loaded them on the tank itself.

                  Larry 

[oz]

try this it has battle tracks fitted........

[BIGMIG]

After looking at the picture,It looks to me like they fit on the flatcars pretty darn good and do not really stick out all that far.If they were sticking out a couple feet on each side I could see where that could be a big problem.But it looks to me like they don't even stick out mabe a foot or less,and I would think most railroads would have been able to deal with that.?

                      Larry 

By the way great pictures--   Thanks again 

[oz]

yep i agree, but imagine two train loads of tigers passing each other in a tunnel or on a bend, but you can bet the rules were broken especially as it was wartime..........