Tiger 1 ID

Thanks Utoshita very much for this info. This helps a lot for this and future kits.

Dear Recon89,

As Mr. Jack's link suggests there are a number of "correct" ways to name the Tiger I.

I am in no way an expert on this subject but I speak some German so let me offer you my 5C on this.

Sd.Kfz. is translated to Sonder Kraftfahrzeug = Special motor vehicle or Special Powerful vehicle

181 is a sequence number.

PzKpfw = Panzerkampfwagen or simply Panzer translates to;

AFV = Armored Fighting Vehicle or simply armor/tank  

The VI is more like a generation designation..

You have the

Panzer I

Panzer II

Panzer III

Panzer IV

Panzer V, Sd. Kfz. 171, Panther

Panzer VI, Sd.Kfz.. 181, Tiger I

Panzer VI, Sd.Kfz 182, Tiger II

The Tiger I is usually referenced as being either an Early, Mid or Late version.

The most striking visual differences between these are the road wheels and the commanders cupola. 

With Kind Regards.
 

Utoshita

Thanks everyone for the info. The Sd.Kfz.181 designation is the closest I've found, so I'll go with that.

Jentz in one of his books gives a list of official German  designations based on the sub types, and can be found here in a simple chart form:

http://www.fprado.com/armorsite/tiger1.htm

In the above linked site, you will find a short description of the official name that encompasses all Tiger I as being either Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf.E (Sd.Kfz.181) or Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf.E, the latter of which was made official on February 27, 1944.

regards,

Jack

This site has some link to reviews and more in depth discussion about this particular kit>

tiger1.info/.../AC1348