I’ve got the DML JagdTiger #6051 and I’ve been eyeing this slab-sided slayer for a week and I’m wondering this- would all JagdTigers wear zimmerit? There’s two reasons for the question-1) I’ve never done zimmerit and the thought of doing it makes me want to build something else, and 2) I’m looking at AM goodies for the kit and I see some PE zimm. I want to get a turned barrel because the kit only has a two-piece plastic unit. I’d prefer a turned barrel for the better look since it is such a prominant feature of this beast. I see that Aber has a beaut…with rifling!
But back to the question at hand… I know that the order to cancel factory zimm was issued at some late point in '44, but would a Porsche-produced (according to DML) JagdTiger always have zimmerit? In other words- can I get by without it and still be reasonably accurate?
Having just used the search function [:-^], I see from Biffa’s thread last year about his JagdTiger (that’s a beauty BTW) that someone posted a photo of one without zimmerit… so I guess the answer would be yes.
I thought all of the Jadtigers were Henshel? Anyway, keep in mind that the zimm did not extend all the way to the top of the sides due to the extreme height of the jagd-cats…
I just knew that if there were two versions of one thing, then I’d get the one that needs zimm…damnit. Looks like plan B for me- a turned barrel and PE zimm.
OK, next question for those playing along at home- I’ve seen the mid-hull high zimm on these things, but does the zimm also cover the lower half of the hull under the fenders like the zimm jobs on Pz IV’s?
The last Jagdtiger to receive Zimmerit, (a Porsche) was chassis # 305010, which was delivered on Oct 7th, 1944 to the Ersatzheer as a training vehicle. The last two Porsche Jagdtigers, # 305011 and 305012, did not have Zimmerit, together with the first trials vehicle, 305001, gives a total of 3 Porsche Jagdtigers without Zimmerit. Vehicle # 305005, (P), delivered on Oct 14th, 1944, was a rebuild from testing trials, it did have Zimmerit, but was not used in combat due to defective armor.
No Henschel Jagdtigers had Zimmerit. Vehicle # 305002 was a Henschel and was built during the time of Zimmerit application, but did not receive Zimmerit due to it being a test vehicle.
There were only 11 Porsche Jagdtigers built out of a total of 88.
Reference; Jagdtiger, the Most Powerful Armoured Fighting Vehicle of WWII, Vol II.
A lot of incorrect models out there indeed…my own included! [#oops]
Reference only helps when you buy it before you build the model…[banghead]
Schiffer’s Jagdtiger, The most Powerful Armoured Fighting Vehicle of WWII, Vol. I & II, contains everything you ever would want to know about this vehicle. At $100 and 464 pages, it should. [;)]
Thank you all so much for the research info, especially Kykeon. Does that book indicate what happened to those three w/o zimmerit? Do we know whether they went to the front or a training schule?
I see no mention of the fate of the first trials series vehicle, #305001. Both #11 and #12 were assigned to the Ersatzheer as training vehicles. #11 was recorded as being the main driver’s training vehicle. Both # 11 and #12 were later reassigned to sPzJgAbt. 653, which had a total of 7 Porsche Jagdtigers.
Vehicle #12 was assigned the tactical number of 314 and took part in actions against American forces on the night of 14th of March, 1945 in a woods in the Laubach-Greisbach area. Under illuminating flares, the 3rd company/653rd shot up the US column at 3-4km ranges. The tank column was hit in the front and the rear, while the rest tried to get off the road. Heavy US artillery forced the Jagdtigers to withdraw without loss. #314 was lost 3 days later due to transmission failure when the crew drove into a ditch after it’s group was attacked by P-47 Thunderbolts firing air to ground rockets. Jagdtiger #314 was commanded by Feldwebel Erich Bonike. There are several photos of 314 in The Combat History of sPzJgAbt. 653, including one of it abandoned near Morsbronn les Bains on page 490.
I’ve seen the photo of #314 abandoned in that ditch with a GI looking around it… I didn’t know it was a Porsche JT. Thanks again for the info, Kykeon.[tup]
I happen to have the tiger (P) kit in my stash as well as the Jagedtiger kit. I now kinda wonder if it would be worth the trouble to build a Porsche Jagedtiger. Or is my mind wondering around too much? Also whatkind of tank is the one in winter camo in the background? (left side)
I see what you’re saying if it’s in regards to the Jagtiger. Not much difference except the suspension. The Tiger P, later got modified into the Ferdinand/Elefant and has a different suspension than the Porsche Jagdtiger.
Hard to make that vehicle out, but it appears Russian.
