Basic facts about "S04"
"S04" was a Command Tiger (Befehstiger). Therefore it had two antenna bases on the hull plus one on the turret. It had a long slanted tube on the rear wall for storing "star" antennas. The MG hole in its mantlet was filled. Two small holders (for a mast antenna) were on the right side of its hull, and beside them was a tiny chimney on the hull roof. All of this is provided in the kit and specified by the kits' instructions.
The chassis number of "S04" may have been 250255. The unit had two Command Tigers, identical or very similar, and we know that was the number of one of them. Sadly the records are incomplete.
Optional features of "S04"
Three different kinds of mantlet were being fitted to Tigers in early 1943, more or less at random. "S04" got one of the flat mantlets originally created for the Tiger (P). That is provided by the kit.
Two different kinds of loader's hatch were fitted to Tigers, more or less at random. Although the photographs are hard to read, I believe that "S04" got one of the forged type. The kit provides this as part B24.
S-mine launchers and headlamps were removable features of the Tiger, and were often absent . At the time of its photo shoot with Michael Wittman, Tiger "S04" had its S-mine launchers fitted and its headlamps removed.
It was very common to remove both of the front roadwheels from Tigers to prevent them scooping mud into the system. But at the time of its photo shoot with Michael Wittman, "S04" had its front left roadwheel installed. The second and fourth ones were missing on the left side. We cannot see its right side. This kit does not include the hub end that would be exposed by each missing wheel.
Although the smoke-launcher system was removed from most existing Tigers in the middle of 1943, it was not taken off Tiger "S04". Most likely it's because "S04" was sitting at the factory in the reserve fleet of completed Command Tigers, and nobody thought to modify them.
Time-related features of "S04"
"S04" had no openings above the driver's visor. This kit includes an appropriate front wall without openings.
Given its build date, "S04" must have had an engine cover with a triangular access panel. This kit includes an appropriate cover.
"S04" had the second type of Feifel filters, which are included in the kit. Despite the fact that this Tiger's famous photo shoot with Michael Wittman took place in winter with snow on the ground, the full Feifel system was attached to the tank.
"S04" had spare track holders on its turret, and given its build date, there should have been only two on the turret's right side. This kit includes track holders.
"S04" had no turret roof periscope or periscope cover. Given the build date of "S04" we would expect the cover to be present. However, Command Tigers often did have earlier configurations than their chassis number suggests, perhaps because they were taken out of the normal run of Tiger production and put aside to be fitted with the Command features, and perhaps because they were considered acceptable recipients of obsolete parts.
Sprocket wheels were built with flat hubs at the time when "S04" was built. But a photo proves that "S04" had the older, rounded hub. That is the kind supplied by the kit.
The HL230 engine was introduced at chassis number 250250. But, for the reason stated above, it's likely that the "S04" had the old HL210. It would therefore have a starter adaptor plate with only one hole. That is the kind supplied by the kit.
When "S04" was built, it was standard to fit the engine hatch with two legs, to prop it open for ventilation. But it's possible, as explained above, that "S04" didn't get this feature. The parts are not provided in the kit.
When "S04" was built, the outlet grilles on the rear deck were both identical. The factory was no longer making "mirrored" grilles. But it's possible, as explained above, that "S04" used old components, including the old "mirrored" grilles. They are the only ones provided in the kit.
The two frames on the rear hull wall, where the mudflaps attach, were being phased out when "S04" was built. For the reason given above, "S04" probably did have them. They are present on the kit's rear wall.
We would expect "S04" to have two bolts flanking its hull MG, and they are indeed visible in photos.
"S04" likewise must have had the usual sheet-metal exhaust shields, and a cap (part S6) suspended over the exhaust outlets.