Red Storm on the Reich GB - Sept. 8, 2008 - May 9, 2009

bobbaily wrote:

Scott-A lot of excitement being generated here.  Looks like it's gonna be a great GB. I'm still undecided regarding a build, but I am exploring options and I need some input from you regarding qualifying battle locations-would the Kurland (Courtland) Bridgehead qualify?  Battle was late '44-May '45 against the Russians in Finland. There is a drawing in "Tigers in Combat I" that shows a mid-Tiger of 1./schwere Pz. Abt. 502.  Not sure if I want to tackle zimm yet though...... Also, for all the resident Tiger experts in the group-it's my understanding (based on limited research on the internet) that Pz. Abt. Kummersdorf of Pz. Div Muncheberg received some 're-built' early Tigers late in the war and used them in defense of Berlin. Bison markets decals for one of the said Tigers.  I have the Tamiya early kit in the stash-what changes (other than removing the air filters) would be required to make a 're-built' Tiger?  One question that comes to mind-were just the filters & hoses removed or was the tubing on the chasis removed and replaced with a different cover?

Kurland definately qualifies for this GB!    It was a very interesting battle.  The Soviets were never able to wipe out the Kurland Bridgehead, and with the collapse of Germany imminent they withdrew the bulk of their forces that had been involved in trying to wipe it out.  

The PzAbt Kummersdorf was formed from instructors and vehicles from Kummersdorf proving grounds - not too difficult to figure out. In addition to some StuG's and other lighter vehcles, they had one Tiger II and one or two Tiger I's, depending on who you ask. These were not hybrids like the Gruppe Fehrmann Tigers, but were simply repaired early models. I assume a photo exists since Bison gives a color profile, and they usually don't make things up. Still, it would be hard to tell what changes were made, if any. I would think they would be limited to replacing early model parts with later ones simply because the original parts weren't made anymore. It would still be 90% early Tiger, though, not an odd mixture like the Gruppe Fehrmann vehicles.

I am just starting on my research.  I would like to do a Tiger I late.  Got it form my wife for a aniversary gift.  Bless her heart.  Can anyone point me to a source or picture of a Tiger I for the GB?

Thanks in advance.

I was kinna surprise that at this moment, none are building Tiger I or II.

Are they already out of action by this time ?

---
Ben

Carves wrote:

I was kinna surprise that at this moment, none are building Tiger I or II. Are they already out of action by this time ? --- Ben

Ben-looks like Moose (post above yours) is starting the party with a Late Tiger.  I'm about 90% ready to commit to a Late Tiger also (Pz. Abt. 510, Kurland).  Plenty of Tigers on the Easter Front in this time frame-Early (at Munchenberg), Mid @ Kurland (based on a drawing in 'Tigers in Combat I or II'-I forget) and Lates all over.

SMJmodeler wrote:

espins1:  In addition to the T34/85 for this GB can I do JUST THE DIO' PART for my Panther G Late that I just finished for BIG CATS???  I was hoping to have a Russian and German entry and that would be a cool way to put my Panther in context.

Well, considering that you're doing the T-34/85 to earn your badge, whatever else you do is just an added bonus. 

espins1 wrote:

Well, considering that you're doing the T-34/85 to earn your badge, whatever else you do is just an added bonus.

Great...thanks Scott!!!  I hold-off starting the dio' until this GB officially kicks-off.

SMJmodeler wrote:

espins1 wrote: Well, considering that you're doing the T-34/85 to earn your badge, whatever else you do is just an added bonus.  Great...thanks Scott!!!  I hold-off starting the dio' until this GB officially kicks-off.

Heck, you can work on the diorama base all you want right now.  Just don't start the T-34 yet. 

JMart wrote:

Scott, add me to the roster with the same Tamiya T-34/85, I hope mine comes half as good as SMJs!

got it, welcome aboard! 

tigerman wrote:

Nice write-up of reading on the first page Scott, nifty idea.

Thanks Tigerman, I will be adding a lot more info on the first page, with more resources including links to good online stuff when I get the time.  I've been really busy yardwork and handyman projects now that the weather is so good which is keeping me away from the forums and my work bench. 

I'm surprised no one has put in for an SU-152 Monster.  I may have to do a 2nd build for this GB as that is one of the Russian brutes I picture when I think of Berlin.  

I have added a couple of reference books to the list.  I will be adding more throughout the day.

Panzerkampfwagen Panther Ausfuehrung D, Panzer Tracts, Vol. 5-1
by Thomas Jentz and Hilary Louis Doyle
Excellent reference on the Panther Ausf. D, including the prototype V2 with many 1/35 scale drawings and 1/10 scale drawings of many of the parts!  Very cool.

Panzerkampfwagen Panther Ausfuehrung A, Panzer Tracts, Vol. 5-2
by Thomas Jentz and Hilary Louis Doyle.
Excellent reference on the Panther Ausf. A, including many 1/35 scale drawings and 1/10 scale drawings for many of the parts.

Panzerkampfwagen Panther Ausfuehrung G, Panzer Tracts, Vol. 5-3
by Thomas Jentz and Hilary Louis Doyle.
Excellent reference on the Panther Ausf. G, including many 1/35 scale drawings and 1/10 scale drawings for many of the parts.

espins1 wrote:

I've been really busy yardwork and handyman projects now that the weather is so good which is keeping me away from the forums and my work bench.

Oh yeah, I know how you feel. Fortunately in the NW, yardwork only lasts about 4-5 months a year.

tigerman wrote:

espins1 wrote:   I've been really busy yardwork and handyman projects now that the weather is so good which is keeping me away from the forums and my work bench.    Oh yeah, I know how you feel. Fortunately in the NW, yardwork only lasts about 4-5 months a year.

True dat my friend!

Hermes - I just realized that you're building the CH Panther F. Which means that you actually have one in your stash!!!

Can you take some pictures of it? Can I feel the plastic? Anything?

espins1 wrote:

I've been really busy yardwork and handyman projects now that the weather is so good which is keeping me away from the forums and my work bench.

Oh man I hear that...  I am having my mom's 80th b'day party at my house and there is a lot of sprucing up that need to be done.  BUT... I am not working onthat at this moment so...

I had to re-order my 234/3 cuz they sent the wrong model... which I decided to keep.  A Dicker Max  Delayed due to bad weather in the midwest.  I knwo it doesn't start 'til Sept. but I want to sit in the box and play commander and make sound like artillery shell bursting around me.  OK I know I won't fit but I can still play.  How nuts should get with this build?  I already have the Voyager PE detail set but at the LHS today, I was holding the Voyager resin, PE and turned brass working suspension for this kit.   Oh boy... way cool!  I came close but didn't pull the trigger.   Yet

espins1 

Could you please change my build to a Tiger I.  It is going to be either a late version in the 510 or an early version with Pz-Abt Kummersdorf / Pz-Div Muncheberg.  Have not decided yet.  Still doing some research.  Would have to buy the early version if I go that route.  I ran into a road block in finding photos for a Panther G late.  I want to build an accurate vehicle.

Thanks

moose421 wrote:

espins1  Could you please change my build to a Tiger I.  It is going to be either a late version in the 510 or an early version with Pz-Abt Kummersdorf / Pz-Div Muncheberg.  Have not decided yet.  Still doing some research.  Would have to buy the early version if I go that route.  I ran into a road block in finding photos for a Panther G late.  I want to build an accurate vehicle. Thanks

You bet.  Let us know if you need help finding reference photos. 

Thanks for the change.  Still looking for more photos.  I found some that Bision Decals have done.  If you or anyone else could point me in the right direction to find more photos would be very helpful.  Any books that would have the photos, I might be able to afford.

Thanks again for the offer of help.  I would like to make my build as accurate as possible.

Moose-I querried over in the armor section for info a while back.  Kykeon posed a picture & a link for more photos.  Here's the link to the post in the armor section for a Brandenberg Tiger:

/forums/959084/ShowPost.aspx

Hope this helps. 

edit-Moose-I'm using Monzilla and it doesn't seem to like the Cut & Paste function, so I typed in the above link.  You may have to try typing the link in or just open up a search in the forum and try Rebuilt Early Tiger.  Sorry. 

Thanks for the info bobbaily.  I found it by doing the search.  By the way which tiger do you plan on building for this GB?  I don't want to copy yours, being as you pick a tiger I first.

Thanks again for the pics info.

Moose-you're welcome. 

Thanks but you can have first pick-I probably won't get started until Nov/Dec at the earliest...and I'll change my choice a couple of times after that....

Based on limited research, I can use either an Early, Mid or Late Tiger for this build and I have all three in the stash.  I read in Tigers in Combat I that some Mids from 3./Spz Abt 502 were sent to the Kurland area in the time frame that this build covers. I will probably need to do some more research about specific Mid's if I go that route.

bobbaily I am goin to build the '323' - Pz-Abt Kummersdorf / Pz-Div Muncheberg, Berlin May 1945.  It would be something different in my collection.  I'll start out with a tamiya tiger and add a bunch of PE and aftermarket goodies.  Good thing I have time to round up everything. 

Thank you for letting me decide on which one first.

Kim

 Hello everyone,

 I got my copy of "The Fall of Berlin" by Antony Beevor, It should be an excellent book. I didn't realize he is the same author that wrote "Stalingrad", which is one of my favorites. I just wanted to say thanks to espins1 for the recommended reading list.

 Best Regards,

Mobious wrote:

Hello everyone,  I got my copy of "The Fall of Berlin" by Antony Beevor, It should be an excellent book. I didn't realize he is the same author that wrote "Stalingrad", which is one of my favorites. I just wanted to say thanks to espins1 for the recommended reading list.  Best Regards,

You bet.  When I get a chance I have more stuff to add.

I really enjoyed Antony Beevor's books, including the one on the Spanish Civil War, although that was a very different type of book.