Hi fellows, I'm done with the kit, just left weathering & decals. I'd like to add the crew, but seems that there isn't much info on the net on the Tactical no. "100" version with the 2 side stowageboxes.

I've DML's Tiger Aces (Normandy 1944) and Tamiya's "German Tank Crew At Rest". I'd like to use the 3 full figs from DMLs (minus the half fig and the fellow holding the head phones)
And use 2 figs from Tamiya- the fig with hands in the trousers and the commander sitting down, however I want to convert him to a crew man...(since I'm using the Commander from DML)

Tamiya's figs uniform is different compared to DML, which is accurate? I'll be depicting the black uniform--is this correct for the Tiger 1 initial version?

One last question...anyone direct me to a site which clearly shows how to ID German tank crew rank and uniform system??!

THANKS

The DML Tiger Aces show SS tankers while most of the figures from the Tamiya set are Army. That's why you see the differences in uniform. spzAbt 502 was an army unit. As depicted, it operated in winter of 1942-1943 on the barren Leningrad front. "100" was captured by the Russians in January of 1943. I don't think you would see men so lightly dressed around "100". As a matter of fact, I have a picture of "100" with whitewash bands.

You are best off using tankers in winter gear.

I just picked up both DR 6014 and DR6214. They are both nice sets. If your tank is based in summerspring, I believe dr6214 will work best for u. Im not sure if you could pass them off as Winter Uniforms though. Check them out

Brian: Those are nice figs, especially 6214! However, both sets again, show SS tankers whose uniforms were mostly very different than Army tankers.

Nick's hurdle is that sPzAbt502 tank was deployed into the field in August of '42 and fought until abandoned in Jan '43. Therefore most of its fighting life was bleak, weatherwise.

Hey, Roy, could you post the picture of "100" with the whitewash? I've never seen it with whitewash, and the photos of it after the Russians captured it still show it overall dark Grey. Thanks!

Hi Bob:
I don't have a scanner unfortunately. It's a picture of "100"s rear end on page 21 of the extremely hard to find Frontline Illustrations "Early Tigers" book, all Russian text w/eng captions.

It's a shot reputedly shortly after 100's capture. We know it's 100 because of the missing right side bin (but the retaining strips are still jutting out) and the two puncture marks at the top rear edge of the left side turret stowage bin. You see the very worn remnants of large swathes of white paint on every major surface. Its pattern is very similar to another initial Tiger of sPzAbt 502, "121". I don't have the DML kit so I don't know if they depicted "121" as having whitewash either. I'll see what I can do however.... Stay tuned.

By the way, I've never seen anyone paint "100" in this manner because most pictures are from the Moscow captured equipment show in '43, when it was all cleaned up.. I'm going to do it with mine for the AMPS Nats.

Guys thanks for the response

I've both DR 6014 and DR6214. Theyre nice sets.

I guess I seem to always get inspired by ideas which just happen to be a difficult subject. I've read about the tiger 1 deployment in action in winter and then it's capture.

I don't want to tackle the winter wash scheme on the tiger nor a snow dio (yet)... I don't know if I can pull it through!

OK what I'll like to depict is similar to the box cover..a diorama around 12" square, somewhat like pre-deployment to action...in Fall / Autum ..
So groundwork and vegetation would be on the damp and brown side? And crew will be still using their regular uniform as the crew I mentioned I want to use..sort of posing for a photograph on the tank...using the camera men that came with Dragon's Tiger 1.

Sorry if the question is duh..but was the sPzAbt 502 unit in Leningrad in Fall...stopped with enough time to take a photo. Would this be realistic?
Aside from cornifers trees (right?) and low grass..what kind of vegetation can I use to make it more interesting?
Can I include a BMW bike with side car for the 2 camera men or should I use some other transport like a schwimmwagen and throw in some Officers as well ?

Do you guys think this is too far fetch?

Some suggestions for figures- Alpine's early war tankers, in black uniforms, or Tank's new set of tankers for an early Tiger. If going with a winter scene, Tank has a set of three tankers in winter gear that would work nicely.

Thanks Lucky, but I'd like to keep this particular project cheap! :-)

I'd actually like the challenge of trying to bring out the best of the plastic figs. Hopefully I won'y screw it up! Never did WW2 until now.

Once I get the replies to my questions ,I'll be abled to start on the Diorama..and figs...

...and ask about my next project the Tiger 1 "Battle of the Bulge"



OK I just took a real quick BLUR PIC of the idea...Sorry I don't know how to use my girl's camera..

Pic is on my website right below the M1A2SEPs, please take a look.

http://www.angrydogproductions.com/Workbench%20m1a2.htm