Tiger 1 initial right side pistol port

[RichardT]

Hi All,

i am building a tiger 1 initial no 100 captured by the Russians and have just noticed from photographs the aperture on the right pistol port lay more towards the front whereas on all other initials the right pistol port aperture lay more towards the rear.Does anyone know if 100 was the exception ?

The Rye Field DAK has the right pistol port aperture more to the front but the Dragon DAK has the right pistol port aperture more to the rear.

I am a bit confused.

Can anyone please advise.

Kind Regards,
Richard

[mannloon]

Here are two recent images of a 501 Initial (The APG Tiger) taken at Ft. Benning. The pistol port on RHS clearly points the same way as the left.

From the rear


From inside the turret. It looks like it's going the other way as when it's closed the opening from the inside rotates around with that handle, in the open position the two line up.


Here is I'm assuming the photo of Tiger 100 you're referring to which I have also seen, so clearly while being paraded in Moscow it was reversed. If you're modeling it at that time I would reverse it regardless.



It is my assumption that this piece could easily be fitted either way as the bolts would fit the other way around. I'll look in to this.

[RichardT]

Hi Adam,

once again many thanks for your insight much appreciated.

I believe most initial and DAK Tigers had the pistol port configuration as per the first photo.

Indeed Dragons kit 6600 has this configuration for initial no3 and this configuration for their DAK Tigers.
The photos of DAK Tigers agree with the Dragon configuration and not Rye Fields.

I have now seen clear photos of the configuration on 141 on David B's site which confirm Dragon is correct.
Which means i now have to reverse the right pistol port on the Tunisian Tiger 1 i built recently.

What i would like to know as i am modelling no 1 in action wading through a frozen river with snorkel deployed -
is DID THE RUSSIANS REVERSE THE PISTOL PORT AFTER CAPTURE OR WAS THIS DONE BY THE GERMANS ?

I can't see any clear photos of the right side of no 100 pre capture.

Adam what do you think to be the most likely scenario ?


Cheers and thanks,
Richard

[mannloon]

I talked to Byrden about this and he agreed that it was most likely the Russians.

[RichardT]

many thanks Adam