A very British Tiger

[Meter Rat]

My new toy arrived arrived today.

Came with some nice goodies. Including wire tow ropes and a bucket.

This going to be the basis, of a captured Tiger. So will shortly becoming under the scalpel. There is also a personal connection.
I grew up in Derbyshire. After moving from Scotland. The Sherwood Rangers were one of the local regiments to me, and were at the vanguard of of the D-Day landings. Being the first units ashore on gold beach, and leading right through France Holland and across the Rhine. On the 27 July 1944 the Sherwood Rangers captured the town of Rauray, and with it the forward maintenance base for SS panzer 101. Michel Wittmans unit. In that base were some Tigers and Panthers, which were damaged or had run out of fuel. The Sherwoods decided they could make us of them, and enlisted Tiger 114 into A squadron. It was given the number 996. The high heidens had other ideas, and it was removed for evaluation in Britain, so it never got used against its former owners. My mother’s Grandmother‘s brother was part of the rear maintenance echelon in the regiment who was responsible for getting the tanks running. Sadly he was killed towards the end of the war. Just one of many who never got mentioned.

[SoCalBobS]

Excellent! It’ll be nice to see a switch from the Wittman legions. Bronze green, weight symbols, geometric squadron markings, maybe a white star on top?

[megawatt40]

Michael Wittman the one and only

[MrChef]

Michael Wittman the one and only

One and only what?

[Meter Rat]

Excellent! It’ll be nice to see a switch from the Wittman legions. Bronze green, weight symbols, geometric squadron markings, maybe a white star on top?

Afraid not Bob. It will be left in its German camouflage with the Balkenkreuz and other markings painted over. They will be replaced with A Squadron Nottinghamshire Yeomanry. As shown below.

[Meter Rat]

Excellent! It’ll be nice to see a switch from the Wittman legions. Bronze green, weight symbols, geometric squadron markings, maybe a white star on top?

Afraid not Bob. It will be left in its German camouflage with the Balkenkreuz and other markings painted over. They will be replaced with A Squadron Nottinghamshire Yeomanry. As shown below.

[Meter Rat]

Michael Wittman the one and only

As Mr C said. The one and only what? He was one man, who was in the right place, at the right time. This tank will be built to remember the unsung heroes that kept the “Aces” like Wittman in the field. The mechanics, the recovery units, and engineers. These people (like my mother’s, grandmother’s brother) fought and died without any of the glory of the aces. Wittman is like the modern day footballer, who earns millions , but cannot do his job without the ground staff.

[Meter Rat]

Michael Wittman the one and only

To further add to this.

I feel it important to point out that Wittman was a true believer - a dyed in the wool member of the Nazi Party who joined before membership came mandatory. He is credibly linked to crimes against humanity. He was no hero, and deserves no accolades as such. This isn’t a matter of “winners writing the history.” It’s simply a matter of record.

Probably also worth noting that many of his “kills” were unarmed vehicles, not tanks. According to a British veteran I spoke to, off the record as I can’t provide citation, one of those kills was being used as an ambulance.

Despite the problematic histories written about him, you’d be better served by looking into the career of someone like Kurt Knispel.
Credit for this must be given to my friend Mr Mithras

Very nice model all the same.

[Meter Rat]

Upper hull in the process of being stripped of the moulded on tools. Front mudguards removed, and battle damage staring to appear.

[megawatt40]

Michael Wittmann started his army career in a Stug. III hardly a overpowering armor vehicle,it was his amazing ability to destroy dozens of Russian tanks and anti tank guns in this vehicle that got him the chance to get into a Tiger he is still considered one of the greatest combat leaders in WWII regardless of what the new revisionist view you read now.

[MrChef]

he is still considered one of the greatest combat leaders in WWII

Umm no. He is a product of fascist propaganda.

[SoCalBobS]

Revisionist? Hmm. Who’d he kill?

[Chris curran]

My new toy arrived arrived today.

Came with some nice goodies. Including wire tow ropes and a bucket.

This going to be the basis, of a captured Tiger. So will shortly becoming under the scalpel. There is also a personal connection.
I grew up in Derbyshire. After moving from Scotland. The Sherwood Rangers were one of the local regiments to me, and were at the vanguard of of the D-Day landings. Being the first units ashore on gold beach, and leading right through France Holland and across the Rhine. On the 27 July 1944 the Sherwood Rangers captured the town of Rauray, and with it the forward maintenance base for SS panzer 101. Michel Wittmans unit. In that base were some Tigers and Panthers, which were damaged or had run out of fuel. The Sherwoods decided they could make us of them, and enlisted Tiger 114 into A squadron. It was given the number 996. The high heidens had other ideas, and it was removed for evaluation in Britain, so it never got used against its former owners. My mother’s Grandmother‘s brother was part of the rear maintenance echelon in the regiment who was responsible for getting the tanks running. Sadly he was killed towards the end of the war. Just one of many who never got mentioned.

Dear Boy. I can't wait to this in Proper Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ritish Colours, Yeaaaasssss, Quite!

[Chris curran]

Michael Wittmann started his army career in a Stug. III hardly a overpowering armor vehicle,it was his amazing ability to destroy dozens of Russian tanks and anti tank guns in this vehicle that got him the chance to get into a Tiger he is still considered one of the greatest combat leaders in WWII regardless of what the new revisionist view you read now.

Well, Here's the thing. In his Stug days he was a good competent leader. This carried over in his early Tiger days. However, as his kills mounted, he became a favorite of Goebbels and the propaganda machine. This affected his Judgement and made him become more reckless. His famous Charge was a prime example of this. Had he sat on his hands and waited for the rest of 7 core to show up, He could have Led his tiger squadron in and caused real damage to the British force there, but Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. He, after having a pissing match with one of his other commanders, went in solo and got very lucky. He found himself in the right place at the right time, especially when many of the Cromwell's had their turrets facing opposite of him. So, he wasn't the best German commander, He was the Luckiest.

[Chris curran]

Umm no. He is a product of fascist propaganda.

True, He was their Poster boy. That fame was an Ugly Drug, and it made him act more reckless than cunning. Plus, he was more willing to play the part and be in the good graces of the party. Heaven forbid he lose that drug.

[Chris curran]

To further add to this.

I feel it important to point out that Wittman was a true believer - a dyed in the wool member of the Nazi Party who joined before membership came mandatory. He is credibly linked to crimes against humanity. He was no hero, and deserves no accolades as such. This isn’t a matter of “winners writing the history.” It’s simply a matter of record.

Probably also worth noting that many of his “kills” were unarmed vehicles, not tanks. According to a British veteran I spoke to, off the record as I can’t provide citation, one of those kills was being used as an ambulance.

Despite the problematic histories written about him, you’d be better served by looking into the career of someone like Kurt Knispel.
Credit for this must be given to my friend Mr Mithras

Very nice model all the same.

He did knock out a half track with red Crosses on it, It was unmanned at the time he did his reckless rampage. Now Kurt Knispel? There was a man among men. He was the German version of Oddball with out the flower child vernacular. He truly deserves more credit that he got. Also, he had the balls to tell the Snazis to go Scratch, on many an occasion. Now, my question is, how did he fit those massive balls in the gunners hatch?

[Meter Rat]

This build is not about Wittman, and his exploits, whatever your opinions of him. His tank has been done to death, every one and his wife has one. This is about the likes of his opposite number, Lieutenant-Colonel Stanley Christpherson, Commanding Officer of the Sherwood Rangers, and a bunch of ragtag ruffians from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Most who started their militarily careers on horseback, so didn’t even have the luxury of a Stug. 111

[Jaf412]

"Loyal Unto Death",Read "Brothers in Arms"to find out about REAL heroes.Always interesting to see(mainly)Septics bigging up Wittman! Knispel is a far better subject for admiration

[Meter Rat]

"Loyal Unto Death",Read "Brothers in Arms"to find out about REAL heroes.Always interesting to see(mainly)Septics bigging up Wittman! Knispel is a far better subject for admiration

As in this? An excellent read.


Another book worth reading.



The pressure on these young men, of 19,20, 21, 22 was extraordinary. I wonder what todays snowflake generation would make of it.

[Jaf412]

As an ex Cavalryman,( ColdWar),I resent the assumption that the younger generation hasn't "got what it takes".Just look at Iraq and Afghanistan