Armortek

Please forgive an ignorant question
When seeing models advertised for sale, I keep seeing reference to "early" "mid" or "late production". Does this relate to the Armortek production runs, or specific developments / refinements of the original (1/1 scale) Tiger 1?
Thanks
Kevin

The early, mid and late production relates to the real tiger production runs. There are various points in time where what was fitted significant changed. To add to any confusion, although there are dates when various things changed, in reality, not everything changed on that date and there was a crossover period which could be many months. In reality the later in the production of the tiger, the changed reflect the lack of materials, such as rubber which much later in the war was in short supply , hence the late production having steel wheels. You will also notice that over the production span that as metal became short in supply that the design was simplified and components disappeared, for example the fiefels.

Armortek's production versions reflect the stages in the real tiger production run. The only difference is that they are at a point in time, and if you research any given tiger or regiment, you will almost certainly find and example that proves that wrong.

Thanks Garry
Since posting my question in some haste I've done a bit more trawling on the inter web thingy, probably what I should have done in the first place
I'm mid Centurion at the moment but keeping an open mind as to my next model, never knowing what might come up. Not knowing much about Tigers thought I'd ask.
Thanks again
Kevin

Kevin,

No problem, I've spent a lot of time researching my tiger in the last year, so I've found out so much about what is and isn't fitted and when, got so many books, my brain hurts. My preference is an early, loads of interesting details to add.

Garry's post points out the facts as relating to the actual Tiger, but people have had a habit of advertising an "Early Armortek Tiger", meaning the 2003 Armortek Mid Tiger release, rather than the 2004 Armortek Early Tiger release, so it's always best to get clarification

Adrian.

The Modeler's Guide to the Tiger Tank is a useful book if you can find on. I clearly shows the changes.

I had not heard of people refering to the Armortek period of production before.
Anyway, Acthung Panzer 6 is really good for detail and when things were added and removed as is Jentz and Doyle, DW to Tiger 1. The problem is when, as I was looking at a specifc tank, trying to get the detail correct when you have limited pictures of that tank. I have looked at all sorts of pictures for Tigers built or delivered between Feb 43 to May 43 and you can almost pick and choose what was fitted, and then you will find a picture that disproves that. All good fun.

In the end I am building S12 from Grossdeutchland which was delivered in Feb 43, which is the same period as Tiger 131 was built. So I have assumed that they would have neen fitted in a similar fashion, and using 131 as a reference.

In actual fact, what we know as early had a earlier version which was quite a bit different. No fiefels, and the exhaust sheilds had louves and I have seen pictures of these so they did get into service. Also the early had 2 different types of fiefel and air intake. Of course you can ignore all that and build one as it comes in the box, not as much fun though

Be warned, Tiger variant spotting is addictive. You only have to see the discussions on this Missing Lynx forum to see what I mean - heated discussions about what the crew had for breakfast on a certain date:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47207/

The expert seems to be a chap called David Byrden, who has his own website, and of course the venerated late Tom Jentz and Hilary Doyle.

The Axis History Forum is also quite helpful - I used it a lot for my Pz III.

I agree with Garry's sentiments. There is a lot of interesting entertainment to be had from researching a specific vehicle and its story.

Best regards

Stephen