1:35 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf.E (early)

Early Tigers with the tank regiments

The set aims at the first production form of the Tiger I Ausf.E, that is at machines with smoke grenade launchers on the sides of the turret and a cylindrical commander's cupola. It is interesting in not keeping to the usual heavy tank battalions: most of the subjects belong to tank regiments, where early Tigers appeared in smaller numbers and their markings tend to be harder to trace.

The subjects and their finishes

The choice opens with the vehicles 823, 833 and 812 of the 2nd tank regiment and the machines 405 and 411 of the 1st regiment, all in a combination of Panzergrau and dark yellow. On its own stands the vehicle 821 of the 2nd regiment in gray with a white winter whitewash. The 3rd regiment is represented by the number 911, and the 1st regiment by the vehicles 1331 and S14 in a three-color scheme with signal brown and olive green. The last subject is S04 of the 1st tank regiment, that is the machine linked with Michael Wittmann.

What to watch out for when applying them

• Nine different vehicles, each with its own combination of numbers
• A winter whitewash and a three-color camouflage on one sheet
• Meant for the early Ausf.E form in 1:35
• Markings of tank regiments, not only of independent battalions

A white winter whitewash tends to be matte and rough on a model, so it is under that very finish that a decal holds worst. It pays to polish the spot under the motif with a clear coat and to lay the number onto a damp surface so that the position can be tuned. This delivery holds neither the model of the tank nor the shades of paint.