GA-53
John Jenkins Designs
Not yet released - expected in early July.
German Panzerkampfwagen “TIGER” Ausf. E (Sd.Kfz.181), Initial Production, Tiger #111, Schwere Panzerabteilung 502, Leningrad Area, Autumn 1942.
The JJD Tiger also comes with the following standard features:
- all turret hatches open
- detailed turret and hull interior
- opening engine hatch with detailed engine
The birth of an icon! Every legend has to start somewhere, and John Jenkins Designs is excited to announce its second Tiger release representing one of the very first Tigers produced: Tiger #111 of the s.Pz.Abt. 502 as it appeared shortly after arriving at the Leningrad front. It represents the initial production design of the Tiger when it was first fielded. Distinctive early features include a RAL7021 Dunkelgrau paint job, a complete lack of side mudguards for the tracks, early style front mudflaps, and no rear mudflaps (these had not yet entered production at the factory). Another feature seen on these first Tigers was a semi-circular radio antenna mount on the rear right hull that, although it was not used, was carried over from the Tiger prototypes. Lastly, and most striking of all, the very first Tigers lacked a rear turret stowage bin (Rommelkiste)! This was quickly remedied at the factories by mounting a Panzer III stowage bin as an expedient, but these were not backfitted to the Tigers of s.Pz.Abt. 502 that were delivered without them. Consequently, the crew of Tiger #111 used the rear of the turret to display a large white Mammut (Mammoth), the insignia of s.Pz.Abt. 502, and Tiger #111 was employed in combat in this configuration.
While the Tiger's reputation became legendary, it had a less than glamorous combat debut. It was initially deployed in forests with numerous streams and wet, swampy areas...terrain wholly unsuited for the Tigers! Consequently, the Tiger's combat debut on 22 September 1942 was disastrous, with one of the four Tigers employed getting hit and breaking down due to engine failure while the other three Tigers got bogged down in the swampy terrain.
However, the s.Pz.Abt. 502 quickly learned from their mistakes, and employed their Tigers with growing skill where they came to appreciate the Tigers thick armor and killing power of its 8.8 cm KwK / L56 cannon. The Tigers fared much better in January of 1943, when the Russians launched Operation Iskra (Spark); named the Second Battle of Lake Ladoga by the Germans. The intent of Operation Spark was to create a land connection and partially lift the siege of Leningrad. During the Second Battle of Lake Ladoga, s.Pz.Abt 502's combat effectiveness rose while conducting defensive operations supporting various infantry divisions. One notable action near Goro-Dok on 13 January was a counterattack by four Tigers and eight Panzer IIIs in support of Grenadier Regiment 283 of the 96. Infanterie Division that destroyed twelve T-34s with the loss of zero German tanks. In total, the s.Pz.Abt 502 destroyed 55 enemy tanks during the battle while losing six Tigers.
Following the Second Battle of Lake Ladoga, the Russians launched Operation Polar Star, whose aim was to completely lift the Siege of Leningrad. From February to March of 1942, s.Pz.Abt 502 supported numerous infantry divisions in defensive operations. Notable actions occurred on 11 February, when three Tigers and three Panzer IIIs supported the SS-Polizei Division at Mischkino and knocked out 32 Russian tanks. Another notable action occurred on 17 February, when a single Tiger knocked out 10 Russian KV-1 heavy tanks in the matter of a few minutes. Ultimately, Operation Spark failed to achieve its objectives. While the Russians were able to keep a land connection with Leningrad intact, the city remained under siege until 27 January 1944. Following these introductory battles, s.Pz.Abt 502 would subsequently be upgraded to a full Tiger Abteilung complete with three companies of Tiger tanks. The unit continued to fight on the Eastern Front until the end of the war where its kills continued to climb. In total, s.Pz.Abt. 502 destroyed 1,400 Soviet tanks for the loss of 105 Tiger Is and 8 Tiger IIs, for a kill ratio of 12 to 1. The Abteilung's Tiger Aces included Oberleutnant Otto Carius (150 kills), Hauptmann Bölter (144 kills) and Feldwebel Kerscher (100 kills).