Looking at my Academy Early Tiger I, I couldn't help but notice that if built as per the instructions, the bow mg would be right in the radio ops face. Is this correct? I've looked at all my reference material and searched onthe web, but can't seem to find any clear pics of this spot. Did the mg go OVER his head and he had to look up to use it or is the kit wrong?

Jesse

im currently under taking this kit (along with many others!!) and so this problem struck me as well! i'm no expert but from what i can see the mg would be where the kit instructions say, howerver instead of the mg ending up in his face, the butt of the mg would be at the lowest position (with the main wieght of the mg being at the back) and the mg also lacks the butt it would have in an infantry role. All this means that when the radio operator is not using the gun it would be out of his way.
hope this can be of help
champy

I put a figure in the RO's seat and when he is there, the MG sits right where his head would be. I think the gun is too long, but I'm not sure.

Jesse

The position of all crew members in a tank is uncomfortable at best... The crew has to fit around the fittings, and this is not always easy. The Radio operator was not seated in a forward facing chair, but more on a cushion, so that he could turn sideways to operate the radio. The MG would have swung out of his way when not in use, but in the kit the MG is mounted rigid, facing straight ahead. Remember that the MG would only be used in actual close combat with infantry, something any tank will try to avoid.. The operator did mostly that, operate the radio.

Cheers
Henk