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Forums - Research / WW2 |
This WW2 forum is intended for asking and discussing reference or historical related issues pertaining to WW2 (1939-1945) subjects. |
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| Subject: | Re: Tiger II track styles |  |
| Date: | May 13, 2008 |
| From: | Arun Bauer | |
Hi Daniel
As David Nickels states, the tracks represented in the ATL-41 set were just used on prototype tank and on the 5 or 6 first King-Tigers fittet with "Porsche" turrets built in January 1944, but they were refitted with the newer tracks with patterned intermediate links (ATL-22) as soon as they were available in February 1944.
Along with these, the early style transport tracks (ATL-21) were used and they were followed by the late version (ATL-42) according to the shift in combat tracks.
During May 1944 the Kingtigers were fitted with the new tracks with large intermediate links (ATL-16). These were used on all Henschel Jagdtigers exept pilot tank no.2 as well. King Tigers with production turret were all fitted with this type of track as their production started in June 1944.
The Jagdtigers with the "Porsche"-style running gear were all fitted with the early style combat tracks (ATL-22) and early transport tracks (ATL-21) and kept them throughout their combat career without any change. There was only one exeption with "Porsche" no. 3 which was fitted with "Elefant"-style tracks (ATL-23) for trials due to troubles in behaviour of the running gear for a short period.
A reason for keeping those tracks was most probably that they were modified by clipping off or shortening the inner track guide horns of the track links (both variants can be seen on pictures) in order to work smoothly without interference with the horizontal damping cylinders of the running gear.
The early tracks with the short forged intermediate links (ATL-41) were never used on any of the Jagdtigers.
The late stile single link track (ATL-37) is said to be used from March '45 onwards, but maybe they came into use already earlier (as DML is claiming with one of their KT kits) or not at all, as a lot of other sources say. Photgraphic poofs are missing (at least all my sources are saying this). The only hard proof is the set of tracks found on one of the Tigers captured in Haustenbeck by British troops that can be seen in Bovington today.
I hope this is of some Help to You.
Kindly Yours
Arun Bauer |
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