Operation of Tébourba - Kampfgruppe Djedeida (501 Schwere PanzerAbteilung in Tunisia)
The box art of Dragon 6608, one of the well-known product which is also the expensive Dragon kit. The price of Dragon 6608 in my hometown is twice higher as the RFM 5001U, however, I would say the cost performance of 6608 is not double higher than 5001U.
The diary of 501 Abt. in North Africa from Dec. 1942 to May 1943. Try to summarize the final consequences of each Tiger as clear as possible.
The reference photo was taken in mid of December 1942 when 1st Kp. of 501 Abt. approached to Manouba.
Tiger 112 was on a stone bridge and notice that 2 Panzer III Ausf. N followed the Tiger 112. Again, this photo showed the 1st Kp. on their way to Manouba in mid of Dec., 1942.
The ‘security guard’ of Tiger were on the bridge. Unlike the painting instruction from Dragon 6431, I did not see any tactical number on the storage bin of turret at this time.
The Tiger 112 was lightly damaged; a lot of craters were on the left side’s armor, the 3rd fender on left of vehicle was fell off and mudguard at left rear was also dropped.
Ammunition loading work for Tiger 112. Notice that all fenders on the left have been removed, there were bunch of kill rings on barrel and the color of barrel was darker compare to manlet.
Reference photo of Tiger 112 with unknown location & time. It is very interesting the crewman on the very right of photo still worn the European version uniform.
The Tiger 724 which was the former 112 in March 1943. The remaining survived Tigers from 501 Abt. have merged to 504 Abt. after a huge losses in Hunt’s Gap.
The box art of RFM-5050 is based on this reference photo. Notice a few of kill rings on the barrel of Tiger 724.
Project start ~~~
The PE parts have been installed
The self-made Jerrycan shelf for Panzer III
The various of road wheels for Tiger and Panzer III
The prime (XF-63) and chipped colors (XF-9) have been painted
The jerrycans were almost done
The box art of Dragon 6431, the kit I planned to select at the very beginning.
I eventually chose Academy 13531 as substitution due to the extremely high price of Dragon 6431 in some secondary markets. In addition, most of Dragon 6431 in nowadays market places were products of rebox, the Magic tracks were not provided and only 3 jerrycans were available. So, it is not a good deal unless you could purchase an initial realeased 6431.
I eventually chose Academy 13531 as substitution due to the extremely high price of Dragon 6431 in some secondary markets. In addition, most of Dragon 6431 in nowadays market places were products of rebox, the Magic tracks were not provided and only 3 jerrycans were available. So, it is not a good deal unless you could purchase an initial realeased 6431.
The Panzer III Ausf. N from 501 Abt. during the first Operation of Eilbote in Tunisia Jan. 1943.
The same Panzer III at the same place, the photo was taken from a different angle. The Tiger 142 and a half-track armor vehicle were in front of this Panzer III.
The Panzer III Ausf. N with tactical NO. 134.
Lt. Kodar was standing on the turret of Panzer III with tactical NO. 07. All the Panzer IIIs served for 501 Abt. were type N and the for those starting with tactical number '0' are armor vehicles of headquarter. Their major responsibilities are reconnaissance, providing supports to Tigers and protecting against the attacks of enemy's infantry.
Another Panzer III Ausf. N (04) from the headquarter of 501 Abt.. Note the sand-bags on the front armor.
The same ‘04’ Pz. III N during the Operation of Eilbote in early 1943.
The Panzer III Ausf. N with tactical NO. 242 was destroyed and burnt out in the second Operation of Eilbote. The Tiger 231 from the same kompany was also damaged and finally destructed in this operation.
The base coat of Panzer III was done.
I used Tamiya new introduced XF-93 light brown for the panzer III. Perhaps I should apply RAL8000 for Panzer III from 501 Abt.?
The color of XF-93 can be reproduced if we mix the XF-15 and XF-64 together, the ratio of them are around 5:2
The jerrycans, cables, and some other tools have been installed on the turret and top plate
This Panzer III from 501 Abt. is now 95% completed
By the way, let’s figure out the differences among these 3 versions of Panzer III
Just finish the camouflage painting on this initial production Tiger I
I am using XF-92 yellow brown as base coat and camouflage are mixture of XF-49 (Khaki) and XF-89 (Dark Green), the ratio between khaki and dark green are approximately 3:1
The Tamiya launched XF-92 (Yellow Brown) and XF-93 (Light Brown) to represent RAL8000 and 8020. I think those 2 colors are pretty awesome and give us some choices when we do paintings for armor vehicles of DAK
The chipping color is again XF-9 hull red
I will assemble wheels and link workable tracks in the next step. Hope the workable track of RFM really does ‘work’ this time.
A lot of equipments and tools on the superstructure are waiting to be installed.
Time to work on the road wheels of my Tiger——— The road wheel system of Tiger could efficiently reduce pressure based on the formula P = F/S; the crews should feel more comfortable when they travel on fields.
Now I think I fully understand the stress and complain from logistics & repairing Kompany ……. The road wheel system of Tiger is really complicated and troublesome; that is why so many injured or breakdown Tigers were abandoned on battlefields.
The tracks are done.
The dust cover for machine gun.
Tow cable on the left side of vehicle.
Rear mudguards and lifting jack were attached
The next activity is to finish all tools and equipments on upper plate
All the tools, tow cables and rods on upper plate are now added.
The Initial Tiger of 501 Heavy Panzer Abt. is successfully done.
The Initial Tiger of 501 Heavy Panzer Abt. is successfully done.
Project completion ～～～
The total time duration of making this Tiger is nearly a quarter. I started this project on Oct. 1st and all related activities are completed in today’s afternoon (Jan. 11th 2022).
The 2 cables on upper plate are not very easy to install, I use the super glue to fix both of them.
Spare tracks and S-hooks are placed on rear hull. Note the racks for spare tracks are pretty narrow.
In next episode, I will employ the Tiger and Panzer III Ausf. N for a diorama of Tunisia in late 1942.
To make a final conclusion, I want to say the quality of RFM-5001U is excellent; the plastic sprues are sharp and smooth, most of details are perfectly molded; the decals are thick enough and in good condition, except for the ‘Tiger 141’ on instruction booklet, RFM also provides us a great number of options to make different Tigers of 501 Abt.; the PE and 3D printed components are also amazing. Most importantly, the price of RFM-5001U is really fair comparing with Dragon’s Tiger 6608 (and I confirm that their qualities are almost identical).
If you have any idea of Initial Tiger in North Africa, then RFM-5001U might be one of the good choices. I highly recommend this kit.
If you have any idea of Initial Tiger in North Africa, then RFM-5001U might be one of the good choices. I highly recommend this kit.
Commenti
37 4 October 2021, 02:31
J DThx for your comment, Simon.
I decide to finish the rest of work before late December. However, I am still planning a diorama for this Tunisia Initial Version Tiger and Panzer III N. I am considering tank crews and figures that I should employ for diorama.
11 November 2021, 05:38
Simon NagorsnikCoureos to see how your dio will look like when it's finished!
12 November 2021, 05:10
J DTo Simon:
Probably finish the diorama in the year 2022 😂. I usually work on the model buildings at weekend or holiday, I hope I can have some spare time during the weekdays in December or early January.
12 November 2021, 06:39
Rui SGreat Work. 👍 So you have the Tiger, and now the Pz III M, and then a Dio? 🤔
15 January 2022, 13:07
J DThx for your comment, Rui.
I actually have a Pz III Ausf. N of 501 Heavy Abt. and I believe I have already showed that kit in the same album. I am planning to employ the Tiger and Pz. III N for a diorama of Operation of Djedeida in early December 1942.
Regarding to the Pz III Ausf. M, I only have a very brief idea and I am still doing some research for it. I am pretty sure that all the Pz III served for 501 Abt. were type N, while I am not very sure about the situation in 504 Abt. and 5th army. Some reference contexts and photos show that Pz. III Ausf. M were equipped by 5th army (including 504 Abt. abd 15 Pz. Div.), however, some other reference points that Pz III equipped by 504 Abt. and 15 Pz. Div. were type L. Very few reference photo of Pz. III M in Tunisia can be found on Google and another serious problem was that it is very hard to distinguish type L and M on those blurred photos.
I personally believe that most of Pz. III from 7, 15 Pz. Div. and 504 Abt. were Pz. III Ausf. L and there should be a few of Pz. III Ausf. M in the same organization, but the number of Pz. III M was small.
15 January 2022, 17:52
Rui SSorry for the late reply J D, of course it's a N, I was being dyslexic. I've done the same type in my tunis Dio.
Anyway, Nice outcome and Dio 👍
27 June 2023, 22:34
Album info
The album covers the classic 'Tiger 112' with a Panzer III Ausf. N during their first operation in the town of Djedeida, Tunisia, Dec. 1942.
