I am still slowly painting my Tiger 1. I am basing it on the Tiger 231 that was in Munster. I have a paint mask (see below) for this Tiger but am a bit confused with the Unit / Tactical markings.
On the paint mask I have two sets of markings: the lightning symbol and also the rhombus. The instructions show where to put the lightning symbol. One on the front next to the driver's vision port and one on the back (top left-hand corner). Unfortunately there is no mention of where to put the rhombus marking. I have seen a photo where this is located next to the hull MG.
Could somebody please shed some light on where the rhombus should be or was this optional if the lightning symbol is used? Also, what colour should I paint the rhombus if I use it and what colour should the lightning symbol be?
I stand by to be corrected by someone with more knowledge but I believe the lightning symbol to be the unit identification marking of Schwere SS Panzerabteilung 102 ( Heavy SS tank company 102 ).
I further believe that the rhomboid marking was a bridging classification marking, indicating it was heavy and a tracked vehicle, and could only use bridges of a certain size.
Yes, it was extremely obvious just looking at the vehicle that it was heavy and had tracks, but that is the miltary for you. Chieftain also had bridge classification markings.
These markings are indeed from s.SS.Pz.Abt.102 or schwere SS Panzer Abteilun 102 this was an independent heavy company formally if 2nd Panzer Division das Reich 231 was commanded by SS.Untersturmführer Rathsack.
The underscored Sige Rune should be painted in pink and placed on the front right of the driver's visor and rear left, turret numbers follow the downward slop of the turret roof and are painted only in the white outline on the rear of the stowage box they are a white outline unfilled in black.
The Rhomboid marking had nothing to do with bridging classification its meaning was type of Panzer the S meaning Schwere or heavy this was not used with this Abteilung and should be left off the model.
Yes pink is the correct colour, this is one od the s.SS.Pz.Abt102 Tigers I have built over the years this one was ased on 134 Unterscharführer Will Fey
Pink was the arm of service colour for the Panzerwaffe. It was seen on the piping on the collars of soldiers’ tunic jackets and as an underlay on officers’ shoulder straps.
Mark or Stephen, still haven't figured out the shade of pink I should use for the underscored Sige Rune. Mark, looking at the photo you provided, it looks nearly white so it must be a very light shade of pink. You wouldn't have a RAL number for it for reference or maybe the colour used from one of the model paint manufacturers?
My source for such things is "Tank and AFV crew uniforms since 1916" by Martin Windrow. Pink was certainly the Arm of Service piping for Panzer crews. It was officially discontinued in 1942, although the need to use up old uniform stocks, together with a degree of nostalgia from the 'old sweats' means it was probably in use to varying degrees up to May 1945.
As for a RAL code, the nearest I can come up with is RAL3014 Antique Pink although, like Adrian, I think it needs to be a bit more Barbie-ish . A dash of white in the mix might do it.
Hope this helps,
Chris
Mark IV (Liesel, Abteilung 14, France 1918)
M3 Lee (25 Dragoons, Burma 1944)
Universal Carrier (2/Wiltshires, Italy 1944)
Panther (Deserter, 145 RAC, Italy 1944)
Centurion Mk 3 (8KRIH, Korea 1950/51)
Morris Quad, 25-pdr & limber (45RA, Korea 1951)
. A dash of white in the mix might do it.
. Don't be shy - blush !