Discussion About the New "503" Early Tiger I
Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 8:25 pm
I often find it interesting to lookup the history of each of the tanks released in the Dragon Armor line. When the "503" Early Tiger came out, I pulled out my "Tigers in Combat I" book and looked up 503. There are 1 or 2 photos of the "123" Tiger, but you really have to be looking for them. One pretty major inaccuracy of this otherwise spectacular model is that it should have a Pzkw IV Turretbox, rather than the usual Tiger I Turretbox (a quirk that was common in PzAbt 503).
Factoids:
- 503 was the oldest and most successful Tiger I battalion in the war, having the most kills (1700 tanks, 2000 guns)
- 503 fought in Russia, France, Austria and Hungary
- 503 was equipped with Tiger I's, Tiger II's and Pzkw III's (early on)
- 503 was used in the actions to relieve the Cherkassy Pocket led by famed German Tactical Commander, Dr. Bake.
- In all 49% Losses were from self-destruction, 45% from action, and 6% Other
- 247 Tigers were delivered to the 503rd (171 Tiger I's, 76 Tiger II's)
- Top Scorer in the 503 was Feldwebel Knispel - 162 Tanks
Factoids:
- 503 was the oldest and most successful Tiger I battalion in the war, having the most kills (1700 tanks, 2000 guns)
- 503 fought in Russia, France, Austria and Hungary
- 503 was equipped with Tiger I's, Tiger II's and Pzkw III's (early on)
- 503 was used in the actions to relieve the Cherkassy Pocket led by famed German Tactical Commander, Dr. Bake.
- In all 49% Losses were from self-destruction, 45% from action, and 6% Other
- 247 Tigers were delivered to the 503rd (171 Tiger I's, 76 Tiger II's)
- Top Scorer in the 503 was Feldwebel Knispel - 162 Tanks