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Another King Tiger Question
KruppCake
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: July 13, 2015
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Posted: Tuesday, July 05, 2016 - 10:48 AM UTC
Hello all,

Does anyone know of at least one example of a Henschel turret King Tiger fitted with late-type tracks AND zimmerit?

Thanks!
Cuny12
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Australia
Joined: April 04, 2010
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Posted: Tuesday, July 05, 2016 - 12:28 PM UTC
Hi mate

I'm almost positive the Ardennes Late King tiger done by dragon with the new pattern tracks was actually supposed to have Zimmerit.

I'm planning on using the tracks and sprocket on my Henschel KT with zimm.

Cheers Ben.
KruppCake
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Posted: Tuesday, July 05, 2016 - 07:22 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi mate

I'm almost positive the Ardennes Late King tiger done by dragon with the new pattern tracks was actually supposed to have Zimmerit.

I'm planning on using the tracks and sprocket on my Henschel KT with zimm.

Cheers Ben.


Thanks, Ben! Just out of curiosity, what makes you say that the late Tiger (post Ardennes front?) had late tracks and zimmerit? I know very little about Tiger history, but I've read that zimmerit was applied to early and mid models?

I am trying to gather information regarding my question because I was thinking of doing a relatively damaged model with zimmerit and late tracks, for a more exotic look.
Biggles2
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Posted: Tuesday, July 05, 2016 - 07:45 PM UTC
In the assembly factories, newly arrived components were typically used (as long as there were no fit issues!) before older stock was used up, then the last of the older stock used up on later production models. But that would only be a few vehicles with an odd combination. So it's not impossible to find the odd tank with a non-standard road wheel/drive gear/tracks combination. Could also be a field repair with available replacement parts. Just give your tank a ficticious number.
TigerFan182
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United Kingdom
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Posted: Tuesday, July 05, 2016 - 07:49 PM UTC
Yes, the combination of zimmerit and late tracks did exist. Number 109, Pz Abt 506. Photo taken after the Ardennes offensive.

KruppCake
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Ontario, Canada
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Posted: Tuesday, July 05, 2016 - 07:52 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Yes, the combination of zimmerit and late tracks did exist. Photo taken after the Ardennes offensive.



Excellent! Thank you! I might have to just change the marking on it, as Biggles mentioned above. (lack of decals).

I've seen the above photo before, but I didn't know those were late tracks.
TigerFan182
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Posted: Tuesday, July 05, 2016 - 08:13 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Yes, the combination of zimmerit and late tracks did exist. Photo taken after the Ardennes offensive.



Excellent! Thank you! I might have to just change the marking on it, as Biggles mentioned above. (lack of decals).

I've seen the above photo before, but I didn't know those were late tracks.


No problem . Quite easy to miss on these old photos. The only giveaway is the number of guide horns. Not that many KT were photographed during the Ardennes offensive so it's possible there were more with the late tracks fitted. 109 also looks like it has the 'smooth' mantlet so quite an interesting mix of features.
GeraldOwens
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Posted: Tuesday, July 05, 2016 - 09:18 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hello all,

Does anyone know of at least one example of a Henschel turret King Tiger fitted with late-type tracks AND zimmerit?

Thanks!

Several King Tigers were issued to the 506th Battalion in September, 1944 with the late tracks and Zimmerit. The unit was involved in fighting around Aachen. Some were later photographed during the Ardennes Offensive. Unfortunately, very few tanks of that battalion were ever photographed, so information is slim. The tracks proved to be successful, but old stocks of track had to be used up, so the track reappears only in March, 1945.
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