Scale: 1 / 35
"Bergepanzer Tiger 1" is a kit from Dragon Models. It builds a unique special-purpose Tiger that was used in 1944 in Italy. The sprues don't include enough parts to build any other version of Tiger; there is no gun.
This tank started life as a Befehlstiger (Command Tiger) but, due to production shortages, it was converted to be a normal Tiger while still at the factory. The smaller Command fittings were left in place, but it now got a coaxial MG. It was also given a radio set in the turret for controlling Borgward vehicles. Therefore it had one standard antenna on its left side, and a smaller controller antenna on the turret's right wall.
The tank was issued to the 508 battalion, and we have two colour photos of it in an Italian depot.
Early in 1944 this Tiger suffered battle damage, including hits to the turret rear and a fire. It's not clear what the damage was, but the fire was probably external only, because the tank was now considered unusable and yet could still drive. The battalion workshop converted it to be a "demolition charge layer", according to their journal. Photographs show that they also added recovery equipment. We have no further information from the German side.
In May 1944 the Allies found this Tiger abandoned in the Anzio region, apparently due to engine trouble. A further 12 photographs of it were made. In some photos it has been moved slightly and stripped of some wheels and parts, but it is clearly the same Tiger. These photographs are the only record of the tank's special equipment.
The gun was removed. The Zimmerit was mostly gone from the turret walls, due to the fire. Most of the spare track hangers were removed. The hull had towing hitches added on front and back. A crane and winch were added to the turret. The crane is obviously inadequate for vehicle recovery, so we can believe that it is for charge laying as stated.
This model was released shortly after a similar kit, RM5008 by Rye Field. It corrects some of the accuracy problems of that kit, while repeating certain other errors. It is distinguished by having DS tracks where the Rye Field model has individual-link tracks. Neither model can be fully accurate because we don't have photographs of all the crane components; the kits therefore contain speculative parts.
My ongoing review and comments;
| Feifel mounts | Feifel duct | Radio antennae |
| Colours and markings | Hooks on turret | Mantlet MG plug |
| Turret mast | Road wheels | Star antenna tube |
| Toolbox frame | Rear towing hitch | S mines |
| Pistol port |
These are reviews or examinations of the kit;
TIGER1.INFO is not responsible for the content of external sites.