This kit represents only those Tigers built in a short period around February 1943. Nevertheless it contains decal options for Tigers that were active over a span of 6 months. How accurate is the kit for the decals supplied?

To pin down the "build date" of the kit: it provides 6 gun-cleaning rods, and the standard turret stowage bin is built into the turret. This dates the tank to February 1943 or later.

The kit does not include the loader's periscope, the later Feifels, or the triangular port on the engine cover. This dates the tank to March 1943 or earlier.

Part B20 adds a further restriction. It represents the old flat-faced mantlets manufactured before November 1942. Some of these were still stockpiled at the factory, and they were issued on a fraction of Tigers, apparently at random, until August 1943.

The kit includes 5 decal options.

Option A: Tank "S33", 2 SS-Pz.Div, Autumn 1943 : Photographs of "S33" exist. The smoke launcher devices were cut off the turrets of these tanks around May 1943, leaving a small tab on the roof. As far as can be seen the kit is accurate for "S33" with the probable exception of the mantlet; but its brother "S32" was a slightly later Tiger with the loader's periscope.

Option B: Tank "143", S. Pz. Abt. 505, July 1943 : At least one photograph of "143" exists. As far as can be seen, the kit is accurate for these decals, with the probable exception of the mantlet.

Option C: Tank "122", S. Pz. Abt. 503, July 1943 : I cannot find photographs of "122". Tigers were issued to this unit in March 1943. The kit may be accurate for these decals, with the probable exception of the mantlet.

Option D: Tank "724", 10th Pz Div, Tunisia (originally with S. Pz. Abt. 501, 7th company) : I cannot find photographs of "724". Two Tigers were delivered to this unit in February 1943, and a photograph suggests that at least one of them went to the 7th company. The kit may be accurate for these decals, with the probable exception of the mantlet.

Option E: Tank "I", S. Pz. Abt. 503, July 1943 : At least one photograph of this tank exists. As far as can be seen, the Tiger was built in the a time frame matching the kit; but tank "I" was a commander's vehicle with altered storage, which is not provided.

It's worth noting that the kit is an almost exact representation of the Tiger preserved at Bovington Museum. The only difference is that the kit includes S-mine launchers, while that tank had the mounts without the launchers. Every other feature, including the flat mantlet, matches the museum vehicle.

Sources

[1] DW to Tiger 1