Small Scale Military Headquarters

SSHQ TANK EXPERTS:

I have a question about the sPzAbt 503 King Tigers being destroyed by Allied air attacks during Normandy in July, 1944---were the air attacks by the RAF or the USAAF?

were the air attacks by the RAF or the USAAF?

Both. The 3rd Company of 503 was completely wiped out as a result of the attacks that were part of Operation Goodwood, although I can't recall if this was a result of air attacks alone, or combined air and artillery bombardment. I believe there were some big naval guns in involved in the preparatory phase of Goodwood as well.

The 3rd company had no king tigers though.

The 3rd company had no king tigers though.

Yes, I only mentioned it in the context of the fate of the entire abteilung, but thank you for pointing it out.

GUYS:

Thanks for the info. I'm probably going to order a Dragon 1/35 King Tiger from the sPzAbt 503 and was curious about the history of the 503.

GUYS:

Thanks for the info. I'm probably going to order a Dragon 1/35 King Tiger from the sPzAbt 503 and was curious about the history of the 503.

If you don't mind, how about posting a few pics and maybe a short review when you can..?? I've been resisting the Dragon 1/35 stuff because I need another scale to collect like I need a hole in the head, but everyone seems to have very good things to say about the Dragon armor in this scale, and prices seem pretty reasonable considering the level of quality and detail you get for the price, so I might just get one myself...

I have a large book on tiger units of the heer and could do some research if you would like.

OSTKETTEN:

Check out PANZER_M's thread on the 1/32 forum---on ebay, there are 2 Dragon 1/35 King Tigers (Porsche and Henschel) for $36.99 each plus shipping.

Also, on Themodelhangar.com message board, one of the posters bought the Dragon Porsche King Tiger and posted a brief review at my request and lots of photos.

NHOGGARD12:

Thanks. I might need your help---usually I can find decent info on the internet, but it's not extremely detailed. If I need additional info, I'll get in touch.

Ok, just let me know.
I also have one on SS units.

the 3rd kop of the 503 HAD King Tigers. In fact, they were they one of the first units to be issued King Tigers.

The third kop was virtually wiped out in Goodwood (when they still had Tiger I tanks). They lost a few Tiger I tanks due to allied bombings, but most of their losses are from the actual Goodwood combat.

Then they were pulled back and was reconstituted in August 1944. This was the time they were issued King Tigers with Porsche turrets, and two with Henschel ones.

This is the tanks that was fighter-bombed incessently. They were constantly harassed by allied fighter bombers on their way back to the front. I don't believe any of them saw combat. But I believe many of them were abandoned due to mechanical breakdown rather than destroyed by allied fighters.

GUYS:

Thanks for the updates.
I ordered the Dragon 1/35 King Tiger (Porsche, sPz.Abt 503) last week.

This is from Flyingmule's info on the model I ordered:
"The German Army’s s.Pz.Abt. 503 was the first operational unit to receive the impressive new Tiger II in late May 1944. It arrived in Normandy the following month with 12 of these powerful Kingtiger tanks to counter the Allied landings. They first saw action on 11 July 1944. The unit was decimated in the ensuing tough fighting against the Allies, and by the time it was withdrawn from the frontline, s.Pz.Abt. 503 had just two operational tanks remaining. The latest item in the Dragon Armor 1/35 scale series is a Kingtiger from 3./s.Pz.Abt. 503. The miniature represents a Tiger II fighting at Mailly le Camp in France in August 1944."

The King Tiger model has "332" on the turret. I located a website which listed the fate of many Tigers (destroyed by Allies, broke down, destroyed by crew, etc.) but couldn't locate the fate of Porsche #332.