Bergepanzer Tiger (P)

Preview by Rob Haelterman

One of the lesser known family members of the Tiger (P) family is the Bergepanzer Tiger (P). The vehicle was used as a recovery vehicle in Elefant/Ferdinand units, and was generally well-liked due to its superior manoeuvrability. The kit has a lot in common with the Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger (P) kit from Dragon (kit 7209), even more than with their Elefant/Ferdinand kits, although many similarities still exist with the latter.

Even though some of the Elefant kits come with rubber and hard plastic tracks (like kit 7253), this one only comes with hard plastic tracks, although the wheels and suspension are the same.

Pictures from Henk of Holland website, used with permission.

The lower hull is reworked in a number of areas, compared with the Elefant kit, with some finer details and the holes for the attachments of the ready made display models blanked off. (The shape is also somewhat different.) It is somewhat similar to that of the PzKpfw VI (P) but it no longer has the molded on tow ropes.
The upper hull and fighting compartment are completely new.

Picture from Henk of Holland website, used with permission.

Many parts are shared with the PzKpfw VI (P) kit, as they share a common sprue. Alternate upper hull parts are blanked off, depending on the kit.

Pictures from Henk of Holland website, used with permission. On the left Bergepanzer Tiger (P) on the right PzKpfw Tiger (P)..

The set contains its own specific PE set with a chain for the Behelfskran.

The kit contains a very small decal sheet, that still caters for 4 marking options:
- s.Pz.Jg.Abt.653, Eastern Front, 1943
- s.Pz.Jg.Abt.653, 1.Cie, Italy, 1944
- s.Pz.Jg.Abt.653, Italy, 1944. This is mentioned as a 2.Cie vehicle. I should check, but a quick glance at my references tells me 2.Cie was in Russia at that time, together with 3.Cie.
- s.Pz.Jg.Abt.653, 3.Cie, Russia, 1944

Picture from Henk of Holland website, used with permission.

Pictures from Henk of Holland website, used with permission.

In my opinion the best source for pictures of this vehicle is "The combat history of German heavy anti-tank unit 653 in World War II" by Karlheinz Münch.
This books tells me that the vehicle underwent an upgrade in March 1944. As far as I can tell the update was limited to the addition of an all-round MG34 on the roof, Zimmerit and some minor fittings (like reinforced fenders). Dragon appears to know this, as they point out the differences in the construction manual.
The marking options show two vehicles without MG, and two with. As I guess that these modifications were all done in one package, this would mean that the modeler that goes for the latter two markings options is left with no choice but to add Zimmerit, as this is not included in the kit.

Article Last Updated:
19 July 2012