DML 1/72
Bergepanzer Tiger (P)

The law defined by Newton that "For every action there is an equal and positive reaction" could be applied to armor as "For every tank of a given size there has to be an equally big and powerful recovery vehicle." The non-Porsche Tigers defied that law, and the result was a good number of them abandoned where they broke down. Even the Panther, with the equal sized Bergepanther, more often than not was found abandoned due to mechanical breakdown as it could not be recovered and repaired.

In the case of the Porsche Tiger-derived self-propelled guns "Elefant" and "Ferdinand" an attempt had been made to provide them with an equal sized recovery vehicle. However, only three Tiger (P) chassis were converted, and all three were assigned to s.Pz.Jg.Abt 653 in Italy, or one per company.

DML has now used parts from its "Elefant" and "Ferdinand" kits to create a model of the Bergetiger (P) that permits building all three of these vehicles. Due to the fact they were based on Tiger (P) chassis and not the self-propelled gun version, there are detail differences in the hulls that are also provided in the kit. These include things like fender braces, engine decks, and defensive armament.

The centerpiece of this kit is the strongback and derrick crane for repairs and maintenance of their charges, and it comes with scale appearance etched metal chain. These fortunately come in one piece sets; unfortunately, the tracks consist of 12 short lengths and 108 single links. Due to the small size of the links – even on big tracks like these! – modelers have complained that they are too "fiddly" and may not be pleased with the lack of a vinyl option in the kit.

As noted three finishing options are provided, one for each of the companies of Jagdabteilung 653.

Overall this is a very "bitty" and busy model, and even though only three were built it is more interesting than many other vehicles due to the amount of add-on details found on the model.

Thanks to Freddie Leung of DML for the review sample.