About this detail of the Tiger
Over the production run of the Tiger tank, a span of almost two years, there were more than 80 visible external changes to the vehicle. On examination of a Tiger that is clearly photographed, we can say approximately when it was built. The same should apply to a model kit.
What historical date is represented by the Hachette Tiger? This is relevant to any owner wishing to paint it as a Tiger in a specific time and place.
The cupola has features that point to June 1944; namely, the presence of drainage slots in the cupola, combined with the lack of crane mounts on the roof. Both features were added in June, so this turret must fall between them.
However, there are features elsewhere on the model that are not consistent with this date.
The idler wheels (i.e. the rear rollers) appear to be the larger sized ones, 700mm in diameter, that were phased out in February 1944. We would expect a June 1944 Tiger to have idlers 600mm wide.
There are clips on the front plate for holding a shovel. These were deleted in January 1944.
The tracks shown in the publicity photos are the original flat type, not used after October 1943; but the manufacturer has promised to ship the later type.
The model therefore represents a June 1944 turret on a January 1944 hull. Since the German repair shops would mix and match hulls and turrets from damaged tanks, this is not an impossible combination.
Another issue that confuses the date is the Muzzle Brake, i.e. the item at the end of the gun. This came in two sizes; a small one introduced in April 1944, replacing a large one which seems to be what this kit provides. Therefore the kit's muzzle brake conflicts with the rest of the turret.