Is Tiger 131 compatible with the kit?
"Wittman's Early Command Tiger" from Andy's Hobby Headquarters builds Tigers from the period January to April 1943. Tiger "131" of the UK's Tank Museum falls within that range. However it is something of an unusual Tiger, and the kit is not fully correct for its intended versions, so there are some considerations beyond obtaining decals.
Extra parts needed for 131
Tiger 131 had a spare track bar running across the front. The kit offers a similar one as an option. But Tiger 131 also had a custom-made step attached to that bar. This photo shows the tank's original step, which is not the same as what's currently in the Tank Museum.
Tiger 131 had a handle added to its glacis plate. That handle is still there at time of writing.
Options to use for 131
As mentioned above, the kit's spare track bar should be used.
Spare tracks holders should not be applied to the kit's turret.
The loader's periscope should not be used.
The "flat" mantlet is the correct one for Tiger 131.
Tiger 131 had the first kind of Feifel filter (with separate upper drums) and the system was fully installed.
The kit offers two front upper walls; one of them has holes above the driver's visor, and the other does not. Tiger 131 was intermediate between them. It was built with the holes in the wall, but they were sealed up with welded plugs. It was still possible to discern them.
Tiger 131 had its headlights removed at some point before its final battle. Only the flat mounting plates remained on the hull roof, plus the caps on the wiring exit points. The kit has all of these parts ready to use.
The correct loader's hatch for Tiger 131 is part B24.
As far as we can tell, Tiger 131 was not given a set of S-mine launchers. Instead, it had the bare strips on the hull roof and support arms at the rear corners. The kit does not directly support this configuration.
Tiger 131 had the older type of engine hatch (part J4).
Photos show that Tiger 131 went into battle with its front outer road wheels omitted, which was almost standard practice at the time. The kit does not support this configuration.
Tiger "131" was not a Command Tiger, therefore none of the Command parts should be used. Some fine details must be removed from the hull roof, as per the kit's instructions for normal Tigers.