[KG_Jag]

We start our Memorial Day selections with two pieces of German World War II armor. The first is for the vet on a budget. It's the 1:72 scale Dragon Armor Sd.Kfz. 181 Tiger-I Mid Production, sPzAbt 509, 1944 (#60019) from JT's for $9.99.



This particular Tiger I was part of the 509th Tank Battalion, mounted the lethal 88 mm L/56 cannon and was fighting on the Russian front in 1944.

About the Tiger I:

The Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. E Tiger I was a heavy tank of World War II, developed by Germany.

Originally developed under the name Pzkw VI Ausf. H the tank was redesigned as Ausf. E (Ausführung Ger. "version") in March 1943. The tank was also known as the Mark VI-E, Panzer VI-E, PzKpfw VI-E or Sd.Kfz. 181 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug 181), although in general it was commonly known as the Tiger I (after Tiger II was produced) or simply the Tiger.

The Tiger I was in use from late 1942 until the German surrender in 1945. It was given its nickname by Ferdinand Porsche. The design served as the basis for other armoured vehicles, including the Tiger II, or King Tiger tank, and the Sturmtiger self-propelled gun.

The Tiger's crew training manual, the Tigerfibel, became a souvenir item after WWII.

Tigers were capable of destroying their most common opponents, the T-34, Sherman, or Churchill IV at ranges exceeding 1,600 m. In contrast, the T-34s equipped with the 76.2 mm gun could not penetrate the Tiger frontally at any range, but could achieve a side penetration at approximately 500 meters firing the BR-350P APCR ammunition. The T-34-85's 85 mm gun could penetrate the Tiger from the side at over 1,000 meters. The IS-2's 122 mm gun could destroy the Tiger at ranges exceeding 1,000 meters from any aspect.

The M4 Sherman's 75 mm gun could not penetrate the Tiger frontally at any range, and needed to be within 500 meters to achieve a side penetration. The British 17-pounder as used on the Sherman Firefly, if firing its APDS round, could penetrate frontally at over 1,500 meters. The US 76 mm gun, if firing the most common APCBC ammunition, could not penetrate the Tiger frontally at any range, and needed to be within 1,000 meters to get a side kill. However, if the 76 mm was firing HVAP ammunition (usually in short supply), frontal penetrations were possible at 1,000 meters.

The Tiger's top road speed of 38 km/h compares to 37 km/h for its most comparable opponent, the IS-2. Both were substantially slower than most medium tanks. Early Tigers had a top speed of 45 km/h; the top speed was reduced to 38 km/h when engine governors were installed in November 1943. The Tiger had reliability problems throughout its service life; Tiger units frequently entered combat understrength due to breakdowns. It was rare for any Tiger unit to complete a road march without losing vehicles due to breakdown. It also had poor radius of action. Surprisingly for a heavy tank, it had a lower ground pressure bearing than many smaller tanks, the most notable exception being the Soviet T-34.

The Tiger's armour and firepower, however, were feared by all its opponents. In tactical defense, its poor mobility was less of an issue. Whereas Panthers had been the more serious threat to the allied tanks, Tigers had a bigger psychological effect on Allied crews, causing a "Tiger hysteria". Allied crews would sometimes evade rather than confront Tigers, even if a tank only looked like one, such as the Panzer IV with turret skirts applied. In the Normandy campaign, it could take four to five Shermans to knock out a single Tiger tank by maneuvering to its weaker flank or rear armor; the Soviet T-34s fared similarly against the German tanks, as had the German PzIII earlier against the Soviet heavy tanks. An accepted Allied tactic was to engage the Tiger as a group, one attracting the attention of the Tiger crew while the others attacked the sides or rear of the vehicle. Since the ammunition and fuel were stored in the sponsons, a side penetration often resulted in a kill. This was, however, a risky tactic, and often resulted in the loss of several Allied vehicles. It took a great deal of tactical skill to eliminate Tiger units.

Tigers were usually employed in separate heavy tank battalions under Army command. These battalions would be deployed to critical sectors, either for breakthrough operations or, more typically, counterattacks. A few favored divisions, such as the Grossdeutschland or some of the low-numbered Waffen-SS divisions had a handful of Tigers.

On July 7th of 1943, a single Tiger tank commanded by SS-Oberscharführer Franz Staudegger from the 2nd Platoon of 13th Panzer Company of 1st SS Panzer Grenadier Division "LSSAH" engaged a Soviet group of some 50 T-34 tanks around Psyolknee (the southern sector of the Kursk salient). Staudegger used up his entire ammunition after destroying some 22 Soviet tanks, while the rest retreated. For his achievement, Franz Staudegger was awarded the Knight's Cross.

On August 8th of 1944, a single Tiger commanded by SS-Unterscharführer Willi Fey from the 1st Company of sSSPzAbt 102, engaged a British tank column, destroying some 14 out of 15 Shermans, followed by one more later in the day using his last two rounds of ammunition. sSSPzAbt 102 lost all of its Tigers during fighting in Normandy, but reported 227 Allied tanks destroyed during a period of 6 weeks.

The Tiger is particularly associated with the name of SS-Haupsturmführer Michael Wittmann of schwere SS-Panzerabteilung 101, who was one of the most successful tank commanders of World War II. He worked his way up, commanding various vehicles and finally a Tiger I. In one day he destroyed over two dozen Allied vehicles including several tanks; and single-handedly held up an entire advance until his tank was knocked out and abandoned at the Battle of Villers-Bocage.

Over 10 Tiger tank commanders had over 100 kills on their account, including: Johannes Bölter with 139+ Kills, Otto Carius with 150+ Kills, Kurt Knispel with 168 Kills, and Michael Wittmann with 138 Kills.

Get it here:

http://www.jtscollectibles.com/drago...cale-p-61.html


Next up is the upgrade to King Tiger. From Forces of Valor it is the 1:32 scale Henschel version of the KT ala Normandy by way of The Flying Mule for $41.99.

The most powerful tank of WW2, the King Tiger featured an 88mm gun and near impenetrable front armor. More than a match for its allied counterparts, this tank was one of the most feared weapons of the war. Even today, it stands as a hallmark of German armored engineering.

The

The most powerful tank of WW2, the King Tiger featured an 88mm gun and near impenetrable front armor. More than a match for its allied counterparts, this tank was one of the most feared weapons of the war. Even today, it stands as a hallmark of German armored engineering.

Officially designated Panzerkampfwagen VI Sd.Kfz 182, the King Tiger entered service in 1944. This tank carried the awesome tank-killing 88mm main gun and had four-inch armor at its thickest. The system was crewed by five personnel and two machine guns were added for self-defense. The King Tiger's ability to destroy enemy tanks at extreme ranges yet remain impervious to those same tanks made it more than a match for any Allied tank. The sight of a King Tiger on the battlefield was terrifying and did great morale damage to Allied forces.

Forces of Valor's 1:32 scale King Tiger series recreates the most powerful and heavily armored tank of WWII. The top portion of the hull is made of diecast metal and features opening driver and forward gunner's hatches. A functional engine hatch at the rear reveals the top portions of the V-12 Maybach engine. The 360 degree rotating turret has an opening commander's copula hatch and elevating diecast metal cannon with a detailed muzzle brake. Wide rolling rubber tracks and wheels with working suspension are featured on each track wheel. Separately applied battlefield equipment such as hatchets and cables are included for a variety of display options.

The Unimax "Forces of Valor" range presents affordable, ready-made diecast models of military vehicles.


Unimax "Forces of Valor" diecast vehicles feature:

• Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
• Rotating turret, elevating cannon and accurate hull.
• Moving tracks on detailed rotating wheels.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.

Head for the beach on this ride:

http://www.flyingmule.com/products/UM-80601


From World War I, we next bring you the Corgi 1:48 scale Spad X111C-1, 2 (S504), George Guynemer, French Air Service, SPA3 Escadrille, September 1917 from The Drop Zone for $21.95.



Georges Marie Ludovic Jules Guynemer, was revered by the people of France as the veteran of over 600 air combats. Twice wounded and awarded 26 citations, the recipient of the highest honors for galantry France could bestow, his official victory total is 53, but it has been suggested that the true figure is closer to 100. A list of his victories reveals a pattern of intense activity interspersed with gaps of sometimes several weeks. Some are accounted for by the periods of inactivity that often happen in war, but constantly on the brink of nervous collapse, others mark Guynemer’s absences for treatment of more than merely physical wounds. Given the consideration of a later more enlightened age, Georges Guynemer might have been relieved from combat in March 1916 to live out the balance of his life a much decorated but obscure French airman, with eight victories and a proud record in the service of his country.

Grab and flying scarf and click here:

http://www.thedzd.com/store/p/465-Co...mber-1917.aspx


Last but certainly not least, we salute the armed services of the U.S. by way of the 1:48 scale Hobby Master F2A ""Bufflao"", US Navy VF-2, USS Lexington, 1940 ""2-F-1"", (limted edition, ONLY 1000 WORLDWIDE) from Pete's for $34.95.



The Brewster F2A Buffalo was USN's first mono-wing fighter. The status of the “Buffalo” is somewhat controversial in the history of aviation. It was designed by US but saw its real success only in Finland, a co-belligerent of Germany during WWII. It was designed as a carrier based fighter but only saw combat from land bases.

The most distinctive feature of the Buffalo was the retractable landing gear. With the right pilot the plane was quite capable in combat. Some historians believe that some units of the Commonwealth squadrons may have achieved a 2 to 1 kill ratio in the Far East.

The second VF-2 was equipped with Brewster F2A2-2 Buffaloes in 1940 and called the USS Lexington home. In spite of Brewster's engineers' efforts weak landing gear remained a problem in this newer version. The "Fighting Two" was composed entirely of Chief Petty Officers so they became known as the "Flying Chiefs". This squadron was considered the "hottest US squadron in the Pacific" but they were still disestablished mid-1942. The last US combat for the Brewsters came at the Battle of Midway being replaced with F4F Wildcats.

Specifications :

Power plant:One Wright R-1820-40 Cyclone nine-cylinder single row air-cooled radial, rated at 1200 hp

Performance:Maximum speed - 285 mph at sea level323 mph at 16,500 ft.344 mph at 26,500 ft.cruising speed 157mphlanding speed 73 mphinitial climb rate 2500 ft/min.Service ceiling 34,000 ft.

Weight:4576 lbs. Empty5942 lbs. Gross6890 lbs. Maximum take-off

Dimensions:Wingspan – 35 ft.Length – 26 ft.Height – 11 ft. 8 ins.Wing area – 209 sq. ft

ArmamentFour Browning 0.50 in. machine guns, two in the upper engine cowling, one in each wing.Under each wing bomb racks that could carry one 100-lb. bomb just outboard of the main landing gear.

The Lady Lex awaits here:

http://www.petescollectibles.com/dis...=Specials#item