It’s never to late. [:)] Which ace are you going to go with?
Thanks Espins1 …I guess now its time for some research on which one I can find that used a late model Tiger and type of camo scheme etc.
Thanks again.
TJ.
Anyone have any info on Grossduetchlands’ Hayzinth Graf Strachwitz campaign record? According to how many tanks he destroyed? I know he is a Knights Cross winner with swords oakleaves and diamonds but can find no info other than a pic of him commanding a PZ III.
Although I found info on him commanding a Tiger at the battle of Riga where he and three other Tigers destroyed 105 Russian Tanks in less than an hour.
In that case I’d have to build my Early model Tamiya Tiger I have in the closet.
I’m still searching for an ace to model.
Thanks.
TJ.
Here are some links that should give you the info you’re looking for. Be careful on the spelling of his name, Oberst Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz von Gross-Zauche und Camminetz. [:)]
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/strach.htm
http://www.fprado.com/armorsite/tiger1_in_action.htm
http://www.achtungpanzer.com/gen11.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyazinth_Graf_Strachwitz_von_Gross-Zauche_und_Camminetz
Thanks for the info Espins1…wow …looks like he used several vehicles during the war…now I just have to pick one to go with a unit and vehicle number, not to mention camo scheme…wow
…I see he was the commander of the 3rd batallion of GD’s Tiger unit at the begining of March 1943. Anyone have info on this vehicle or any of the other vehicles that he may have commanded during the war?..all info is welcome.
Thank you kindly for all your help.
Best Regards.
TJ
Nice work Scott. A lot of great info there. I need to re-read and see if he had an Early Tiger in his career…then the problem of finding the turret numbers. I think that is the most frustrating part of the process. That and finding the correct markings…
Hey Bob I was gonna build that early Tiger and put the late one on hold…I had already narrowed down the fact that he was in command of the 3rd abtielung of GD Division with his own Tiger and was researching it for numbers and camo schemes…Dang! Now I guess I’ll have to go with another Panzer Graf Strachwitz commanded. You’re making my life really hard Bob! LOL![:D]
TJ-Please go ahead and take it-I’ve already committed to an early Wittman-just having trouble deciding between Kursk 1331 or S21 or S04. I would just like to gather more info for future projects…or if no one else takes that one. Please, go ahead. Looking forward to the results of your research & build. Again, the thing that frustrates me the most is not being able to track down turret numbers. Building planes of aces is sooooo much easier…
Heck Bob…I’m just playing with ya’… I haven’t made up my mind what to build yet.[D)]
I oughta’ just go with the late version Tiger I I’ve been working on but that Tamiya early Tiger I in my closet is screaming “Graf Strachwitz!” at me…but the other kits in my closet are screaming “Build us!”, “Build us!”, “Build us!” …“You loved us when you bought us!”, “Build us!”
LOL! I’m flexible and have plenty of kits to choose from…actually…too dang many[:D]
Scott-quick question-does the Otto Carius book “Tigers in the Mud” contain Order of Battle info, i.e., turret numbers linked to commanders? If so, I might have to add it to my library.
Thanks
I’ll take a peak at it when I get home tonight Bob. [:)]
Do you have the Tigers in Combat (I & II) books?
No, but I did pick up the Stackpole Military History Series “Michael Wittmann and the Waffen SS Tiger Commanders of the Leibstandarte in WWII”, Vol. One last week. Now I just have to find time to read it!
-edit-I’m finding that I’m enjoying researching & learning more about these men & their character than building the actual model. Again, the frustrating thing is the inability to match up tank commanders to turret numbers, camo schemes, version of equipment, etc. However, I guess without documentation, one can claim ‘creative license’…[;)]
I agree Bob. Reading Panzer Aces opened me up to a whole new area of historical research and interest. Now I just can’t get enough of that sort of thing! That was one of the main reasons we started this GB… we knew there had to be others that felt the same way we did. Fun stuff!
I looked through Tigers in the Mud. There isn’t any direct OOB information, but there is some into that may prove useful to you, especially regarding individual actions and dispositions. There is some great info in Tigers in the Mud I. PM inbound…
Scott-I have a request. Please change my build to Albert Kerscher’s early Tiger -based on some quick research, he was in turret number 213, sPzAbt 502. I think a mono-tone paint scheme will be better matched to my skill level than trying to tackle a winter whitewash scheme (and trying to do it justice).
Thanks and if the above info is incorrect, please let me know.
You bet Bob, I’ll make the change now.
Thanks Scott. I’m seeing conflicting info as to whether Kerscher’s early Tiger was 213 or 217. Until someone can show otherwise, I’m going with Kerscher’s tank as being 213. I can always pickup some Archer numbers if it was 217. Hope to pick up Otto Carius’ “Tigers in the Mud” and research further. Actually, I would have prefered to do Carius’ early Tiger, but it was already taken. Maybe next time…
Early Tiger 213 was Carius’ first vehicle, as shown very plainly in Tigers in the Mud. Carius’ 217 was a mid production Tiger with zimmerit that he used at Maliniva. I think 217 is the number you want for Kerscher’s early Tiger.
Thanks Jonathan. Even more reason for me to pick up “Tigers in the Mud” Did an Amazon ‘look inside’ search for Kerscher and there were three pages of references/mentions. Should be a good start for research.
Echelon makes a sheet that has both Carius’ early number & 217 for his mid. Appears to be the same size so I think I could use that option. Or find the correct Archer sheet and do the dry rub thing. That’s an easy fix…he says, nervously…
Thanks again for pointing that the numbering concern.
The early Tigers of sPzAbt 502 used 5" black lettering directly behind and below the trunnion pin on the turret. The lettering of the later zimmed mid Tigers was white, around 8" numerals, and painted even with the trunnion pin about a foot back. So…looks like you’ll be needing some black numbers.
Also, the early Tigers had rather large crosses mounted over the rearmost fender section on the side armor. I’ll scan some pics from Tigers in the Mud later today - or there might be some pics earlier in this thread.
Here is the Echelon sheet that I was refering to
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/echelon/ech_axt351005.htm
Thought I could take the ‘217’ and use it.
However, the 217 doesn’t appear to be large enough, or at least as large as the ‘213’, Carius’ early number. Hard to tell looking at the photo. Definitely not as bold. And the Archer sheets for sPzAbt502 don’t have a sheet with a solid ‘7’. The sPzAbt 502 sheets that have the ‘7’ have it as larger than the ‘21’. Need to sort thru all the Archer offerings. Might have to resort to painting numbers…