Tiger ausf. E : Markings

Technical information on the Tiger and related tanks

 

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During the process of restoration, Tiger "131" was sandblasted down to the bare metal. Its paint pattern and its markings therefore had to be recreated afterward. There are several small differences between the markings on the restored vehicle, and the markings that it bore when captured in 1943.

In this article I compare photos from WW2 to the modern appearance of the tank. If its markings have recently been changed, please inform me.


Vehicle type symbol

The German military used a large number of obscure symbols to identify types of vehicle. For a tank, they used a rhomboid reminiscent of the UK's original "tank" invention. Some of the Tiger tank units painted this symbol on their tanks, decorated with a red line and accompanied by the company's number. Tiger "131" was in the battalion's 1st company, therefore "1" was used.

Company symbol

While the restorers did take note of this and attempt to recreate the mark, they "mirrored" the instance on the right-hand side of the tank.

Company symbol on rear

This is a low-quality image, but it's our only photo of Tiger "131" with its air filters removed in 1943. And we can see the unmistakable form of the company symbol on its rear wall. Tiger "131" now seems to have nothing there.


Digits

Tactical number

The original tactical number "131" was painted in a dull red, contrasting poorly with the tank's colour. Good photographs are hard to find. The digits currently painted on Tiger "131" are very similar to the originals, but still distinguishable.


Balkenkreuz

Cross on the hull side

Tigers of the 504th battalion in Tunisia were painted with the usual Balkenkreuz. In their case, it had a standardised size and style. This photo shows Tiger "121", but the identical markings were on "131". It is clear that the modern cross is larger than the original, and lacks the black outlines.

Cross on the rear

Tiger "131", like most other Tigers of the time, also bore the Balkenkreuz on its rear wall. It cannot be seen in most 1943 photos due to dust, but the tank was washed for its presentation in the Tunis victory parade, and so we can see the marking. The restorers did not recreate it.

 
 

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