Scale: 1 / 35
This page describes a newly announced kit, about which few details are yet available. The page will be updated as and when more information is published.
The kit
Takom entered the 1/35 "Early Tiger" market with this kit. It represents a very small number of unique Tigers that fought at the war's end. The tanks had spent two years in the training school, so they were of the "Early" model, but with some upgrades to replace worn components.
Some had had their original set of wheels and/or tracks replaced with later versions. They had also been upgraded by the addition of Zimmerit. The kit represents one or more of those Tigers specifically. They are in fact a popular subject for model companies, with Rye Field, Academy and Dragon all offering competing kits.
The decal set of this kit has not been announced. The artwork shows Tiger "F01", for which decals will presumably be supplied. The CAD diagrams show an Early Tiger with "steel" wheels, "late" tracks and Zimmerit, but the kit may contain alternatives to those parts.
The tank
In April 1945, while the Allies were pushing into Germany, the shortage of German heavy tanks prompted the idea that old Tigers in training schools could be pressed into service. A group of 6 Tigers and some Panthers from the Bergen training ground was formed under the leadership of Oberleutmant Fehrmann. For a few days they battled with Allied armoured units, until all of the tanks were lost to combat or mechanical failure.
The Tigers of "Gruppe Fehrmann" are not well known because photographic coverage is poor, and their condition before the formation of the Gruppe is also undocumented. All of the existing photos show Early Tigers, that is, vehicles about 2 years old when the Gruppe was formed. In some cases their tracks and/or road wheels have been replaced with the newer types ("steel" wheels and cleated tracks). External accessories such as Feifel filters, mudguards and S-mine launchers are missing. Zimmerit has been added to some Tigers.
My ongoing review and comments;
| Mudflap notches | Loader's roof opening | Loader's hatch |
| Track toolbox | The shovel | Track cable |
| Turret seating ring | Starter adapter | Turret locking slots |
| Engine rear cover | Starter handle |