Just throwing in my two cents - worth what you paid for it!

I really don't see Bakelite as a substitute for axe, hammer or shovel handles. Having actually used some Bakelite in my life it just would not take the strain of impact. Now Bakelite for screw driver handles and gun handles or stocks maybe but not the other.

Frenchy's comment on the wire cutters having insulating shields over the handles made from rolled up, resin impregnated paper however is right on the money!!!

These look more like a 12th SS HJ Pz Div crew.

U boat leathers were more prevalent in 12SS and ISS Pz Korps. This Tiger is from IISS Pz Korps (102/502 SS SPzAbt) so the camo overalls are just fine. See Willi Fey "Armor Battles of the Waffen SS".

Great build bro! love the camo paint job

Outstanding looking Tiger!!

You're right in that SS crews didn't wear the reversible uniforms. By the time the Normandy campaign started the peas pattern panzer suits were general issue so if you're modelling a tank crew from that time you can either go for peas pattern or straightforward black as I've seen photos of both being worn. The U Boat crew uniforms were mainly worn by 12th SS Hitlerjugend and some of 1st SS Liebstandarte in conjunction with some Italian camouflage items. Liebstandarte had been involved with the disarming of the Italian army in 1943 and seized large quantities of U- Boat uniforms and Italian camouflage material whilst in Italy. As the NCO and officer cadre of the Hitlerjugend was mainly made up of experienced Liebstandarte veterans it followed that they took their spoils with them. The U Boat leathers were ideal for tank crews as they gave better fire protection and were obviously harder wearing than cloth type materials. Depending on which SS panzer division you're modelling you have a choice. All divisions- black panzer uniforms or peas pattern panzer uniforms (more common at that point of the war). 1st and 12th SS- black panzer uniforms, peas pattern panzer uniforms or either full U Boat leathers or Leather jacket and Italian camouflage trousers or blck panzer trousers. I've seen a photo of a panzer wrap jacket (and normal tunics) made from Italian camouflage material but these were obviously jackets made for the individual as they were not manufactured en masse so quite unusual. I hope that's of some help to you. While the M43 einheitsfeldmutze (ski cap) in black was the regulation headgear by that stage for panzer crews the earlier feldmutze (forage cap) was still the preferred headgear of panzer crews as (a) the peak on the M43 got in the way when looking through periscopes or sighting for the gunner (b) it was more practical when wearing headphones. Obviously officers and senior NCO's still had the option of wearing the peaked schirmutze but it was down to personal preference. I hope that's of some help to you.

I've just noticed that it's a II SS Panzer Corps tiger you've built so that rules out the U Boat uniform as Liebstandarte and Hitlerjugend were 1 SS panzer Corps. Uniformwise you can either go for the black or peas pattern. As I said at that point the peas pattern camouflage uniform was the more common of the two. However a quick google for a picture of him shows him in the black panzer wrap with peas pattern trousers.

http://www.lewisheatonbooks.com/Fey.jpg

Not all personnel in 12 SS and I SS received the "U-Boot Leathers". Cammies can definitely be used. By Summer 1944, German Troops and Tankers wore a variety of clothing, in some cases, whatever was available. This info came from my Uncle Ludwig (now deceased) who served in 1st SS Panzer...

It may be worth pointing out here that the tankers were authorized to reverse their peaked hats while in the tank so the bill would not get in the way of the periscope or gun-sight,etc. There is plenty of photographic evidence. Plus,as has been pointed out,in the II SS PzKorps the likely uniform would be the pea dot or black panzer wrap but you would also see crewmen in the lighter shirts in medium grey,etc as they dressed for the weather. At the time of the battles around Caen it was pretty hot.
J

Fantastic looking Tiger. I've recently started the same kit although I'm hoping to replicate a 2nd Company tank from the 101st SS Heavy Panzer battalion.

Great job on the Tiger, very inspiring. I am looking forward to seeing it crewed out with the Alpine figures. I really like the MG34 turret mount. Regards.....Dale