Tim, this is what I can conclude from available photos and info for Tiger 02, taking into account that everything doesn't match exactly and can get a small overlap due to the factory making sure that they use the already manufactured parts before the newly made updated parts which resulted in strange mixes throughout the Tiger's production life.
- No Zimmerit
- Hull-side track guard bolts fitted but not the track guards
This is another 502 Tiger from the May delivery which included your tank as far as I can determine as the ref 'DER TIGER' Vol 2 states that the May delivery tanks were the first to have the track holders on the turret which matches the production dates mentioned below from Feb to April.
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Hull - Feb 43'
- Standard rear mud guards fitted
- Factory exhaust heat shields
rear configuration -
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- S- mine launchers fitted to the Hull (Jan '43
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- KFF2 apertures welded over on driver vision port (It looks that way to me on the photo from Saul) - you will need to add these unless you go for a Feb-April Hull in which case they may have been deleted, as they were stopped in Feb at the factory but I think this tank had them welded over. the later March April hull has the triangular access cover on the engine deck.
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- The Fiefel air cleaners have been removed but the adapters etc on the engine deck would still be there but the pipes look as though they have been taken away with the filters.
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- Engine deckwithout the triangular access plate. Use either below - one has stoppers on each side.
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TURRET - Early type, 2nd version Feb - early March '43
The main identifiers for the prod. date decision is that i cannot see a loaders periscope and it still has the bevelled escape hatch.
- Add track holders to the turret sides - 3 on the right, 5 on the left(later in April dropped to 2 on the left.
- No periscope on the turret roof
- Standard stowage bin
- bevelled escape hatch
- S- Mine launchers still mounted on the turret
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