Panzers units were organised into companies and platoons. The tanks were marked with numbers, usually painted on their turrets, identifying their place in the structure. When a unit got reorganised, the tanks usually needed renumbering. This kit from Takom includes three sets of decals for a single Tiger. At different times it bore the numbers "812", "833" and "S34". A name was also painted on this Tiger: "Tiki".
This Tiger belonged to "Das Reich". As "812", it participated in the third battle of Kharkov. As "S34" it fought in Operation Citadel.
This kit does not provide all of the parts you need to build "Tiki" accurately. I will list those omissions here. Refer to the other pages for problems that are not specific to "Tiki".
Missing parts
"Tiki" had a gun cleaning brush that broke down into 5 pieces. The kit does not provide that. It gives you the later version with 6 shorter pieces (parts D2-8, D2-9). The holding clamps should also be different.
"Das Reich" was apparently not issued with the large shovels that are supposed to be stored on the tank's front. We have many photographs of all 10 Tigers in the company; no shovel can be seen at any time. The storage clips were present on the vehicles, however, and the crews kept the shaft of the starter handle in them. But this kit does not provide a suitable handle; you are given the shovel and told to attach it.
Choice of optional parts
The crew of "Tiki" discarded their exhaust shields (parts H18, H19) as depicted in the kit's painting guide. But that illustration is wrong to depict the deflector plate (part E18) on top of each muffler. You should use the muffler cap E45 rather than part E24. Do install the flapper valves D2-21, as explained in an article about the Tiger's mufflers.
The instructions tell you to put a handle on the rear wall (part J46). But "Tiki" didn't have that. Do not use the part, and do not open the holes for it.
Tiger "Tiki" had the side skirts with end panels and equal-length segments (parts C2-13, C2-14) but its track cable layout was the earlier version (part Q2-3). The instructions don't explain this, and the image of "S34" in the painting guide has it wrong.
The appropriate front wall for "Tiki" is part U2-42.
"Tiki" did not have a turret periscope (parts L2-2, E2-61).
The correct engine hatch for this Tiger is part E2-11. But the support legs (parts Y2-27, Y2-28, Y2-29) should not be used, regardless of what the kit's instructions say.
This Tiger was operating in winter snows when it was painted white and bore the number "812". The Feifel filters were therefore not installed. But later, when it had camouflage colours and was numbered "833" or "S34", photographs show the complete air filter system on the tank. It had the older version (parts U2-22, U2-23). The main duct (part U2-3) was always present on the engine hatch.
The correct adapter tool for this tank is part D2-4, and the most accurate mantlet part is T2-14. The turret bin is the one with notches in it, i.e. the side panels are T2-5 and T2-6. Do not use part T2-21.
As the painting guide suggests, "Tiki" did not have spare track stowage on its turret.
Decals
Recent research has proven that the name "Tiki" was written on this Tiger in three places. But the kit includes only two "Tiki" decals.