I’d love to see more pictures, similar to the ones i posted… would make a nice comparison.
Off hand question:
Does anyone know what the number of this tank was in the film (This is the one that had the track blown off with the ‘sticky bombs’)? I can’t quite make it out, and I don’t think that the current number was the one used during filming.
Go to THIS LINK and check the screen shots. #2 has a good view. And the Notes section, toward the bottom, are interesting too.
Nice tiger! I would love to see some more pics, or a link to an online album… 
If anyone is interested in how they’ve been making conversions; check out the dvd set of band of brothers, there is an in depth feature on there about converting the APC to the STUG and a T34 into the Tiger. Pretty neat.
Apparently the soviet union still has some warehouses full of mint T34s lying around; periodically they sell them. Tom Clancy also seems to think that they’ve got a top secret hollowed out mountain filled with T55s…would love to see that one…
Current state of the S.P.R. Tiger:
Well, after going over it and seeing what needed to be done, it was decided that the engine needed a complete rebuild. Apparently the group that was using it for reenacting didnt quite understand that the oil pump needed to be run for at least five minutes before setting the glow plugs and turning her over. The were just jumping in and firing her up. What this equals is a burned up engine.
At this point, we have the motor almost completely stripped, and are in the process of deciding what parts need to be milled, and what can be saved. After this, we still have the transmission to tackle. Here are a few pictures:
And to give you an idea of the sheer size of those pistons, that shiny spot is a U.S. Quarter:
WOW! some job youve got on there.
I’ve seen this site before- but that’s awesome that you’ve got pictures of her on here- I’m sorry I missed this post back in 08- hey, that last screenshot on that ^ link up there show Tom shooting his .45 at the front of the Tiger and the drivers port has removed- like the 4th picture down on your original post, any ideas why that was removed? And assuming this wasn’t the tank prop they blew up with the P51- any idea why both Tigers were missing the part?
Thanks again for the pictures and good luck on that engine, too bad about the reenactment group missusing it.
yeah, both of the ‘Tigers’ were used for both scenes (in town, and on the bridge). The drivers port was made to be removable on both so that the driver could see when there was no one hanging out of the hatch to direct their movement.
There is a complete T34/85 under that skin, which means that it’s seating position is a bit farther back. With the ‘Tiger’ vision port installed, the driver is essentially blind, save for a small slit of vision directly in front of him.
ya gj 9thSS for blowing up the eng. guess thats why they dont get to use to cool toys anymore 
Oh ok I gotchya, that makes sense- that site linked above had a theory that it was because of whatever the crew had used to wire the tank to blow up for the P51 scene.
Thanks again for sharing!
I read some years ago that the 3 “Tigers” were borrowed from the Yugoslavian Army and vis-modded for filming, then the “Tiger” stripped off and returned to duty as T-34s…
On the subject of T-34s used in movies, see if you can find a copy of Sam Peckinpah’s 1977 “Cross of Iron”, starring James Coburn, Maximellian Schell and James Mason. Some very good scenes of Russian T-34s in the assault (actually Jugoslavian Army T-34/85s - still in use in the late 70s). Being a Peckinpah film, it’s very bloody and very, very intense!
I know it has been a heck of a long time since this was updated (and quite a while since I have even been on the forums), but I thought i would offer an update on the SPR Tiger.
Because of other things going on that required quite a bit of money, the poor SPR Tiger was set to the side for a while. I am happy to say that the work is continuing and progressing again. She is having an all new (rebuilt) engine installed. A Detroit Diesel this time. Restoring and rebuilding the original Soviet V12 Diesel wasn’t really an option, as it had been severely fried.
We are, hopefully, looking at about 30 - 45 days before she is back up and running. There are a couple of production companies looking to rent her for film and television work, including the possibility of a film about D-Day, set to be shot in Spain.
The plan is that when it is complete, I will be the certified and only ‘authorized’ driver. So where the tank goes, I go. My full Panzer uniform is being tailored as we speak. I am really looking forward to getting it!
Oh, and I shot some pictures with a friends camera, and I should be getting them soon. I will post them once I have them. Some great T-34/85 interior shots with the turret off., as well as some good shots of the empty engine bay and control linkages.
Should be very useful to Soviet armor builders.
Great news glad you were able to find the ol thread and keep us up to date- thanks!
Hoping to get the pictures either today or tomorrow.
Getting the owner to remember things is like trying to get an Earthworm to do backflips.
I have completely forgotten how to post pictures.
I’ll get back to it eventually
I only just discovered it–amazing info / story / pictures !! Funny, i remember a whole thread of discussion since about the nature of the SPR Tigers & no one mentioned this thread, or your close knowledge of the subject—go figure. Where were you? lol
Whoa-----Nice work if you can get it!
Amazing—so you’re a Panzer Driver now . Congrads …COOL GIG!!
keep us posted
Great photos
Question… Which code do I use in imageshack for posting pictures. It has been so long that I have forgotten!
LOL
Thanks in advance.