Scale: 1 / 35
The kit
This kit is based on Dragon's "Initial Tiger" of 2005 but has many improved parts, while it omits some of the promotional "extras" of the old kit. The tracks are flexible DS plastic. A notable improvement over the old kit is the provision of the necessary photo-etch mesh screens for the engine deck.
The decals of this kit incorporate new historical information that came to light after the older kit's release. Its three decal schemes reflect three periods during which these "initial" Tigers were active. One option is an all-grey vehicle, typical of their appearance when they first went into battle in late 1942. There is also Tiger "100", with its unique turret side bins, whitewashed for the winter. The other is Tiger "3", active in February 1943 when the battalion had only five Tigers. This one was formerly numbered "122".
This type of Tiger has also been modelled by Rye Field Models and Border Models.
The first Tigers
When the first production Tigers rolled out of the Henschel factory, they were sent to the training grounds at Fallingbostel to equip the 502nd Heavy Tank Battalion. Although their tanks were still unreliable, they were sent to reinforce the siege of Leningrad after only 3 days of practice. Immediately on arrival in Mga they were ordered to the front line.
A total of 9 Tigers were sent to this battalion, filling out its 1st company, before events in Africa diverted new Tiger production to that theater. The 502nd fought in forests and swamps south of Leningrad and achieved only limited success. Technical problems with the tanks caused as much trouble as the terrain, and so the more reliable Tigers, notably "111", were given the best components.
On 18 January 1943 a breakthrough by the Soviets cost 5 Tigers, including numbers "121" and "100" which were captured intact. Only 2 of the original 9 Tigers remained in February, when they were joined by 3 new ones.
These first 9 Tigers had a unique appearance. They had no fenders or storage on the hull sides. Their mudguards at front and rear did not project beyond the hull side (these were also used in Tunisia). They were issued with "mirrored" tracks, i.e. the right and left tracks were different, unlike those of any other German tank; the crews disliked the inconvenience and eventually put just a single type on each Tiger.
My ongoing review and comments;
| Starboard gun port | Track types | Hull |
| Tactical numbers | Small cables on 'initial' Tigers | Bolts on the 'early' cupola |
| Engine hatch intake | Headlights | Tiger 121 / 502 |
These are reviews or examinations of the kit;
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