- Chapter 14 -
During the production run of the Tiger I a number of modifications were introduced in order to correct imperfections to improve automotive performance, firepower and protection. Any good measure which led to the simplification of the design was also implemented, along with forced adjustments as a result of shortages of war materials. Due to a rigid production flow policy at the Henschel factory, incorporation of the new modifications could take several months. In 1942 alone, at least six revisions were made, starting with the removal of the Vorpanzer (frontal armour shield) from the pre-production models in April 1942. In May, mudguards bolted onto the side of the pre-production run were added, while removable mudguards saw full incorporation in September. Smoke discharge canisters, three on each side of the turret, were added in August 1942. In later years, similar changes and updates were added, such as the addition of Zimmerit in late 1943.
Modifications continued as a result of combat experiences in Italy at a comparatively late stage in the life of the Tiger I. The RAC liaison letter for August 1944 revealed that POW integration sources were still providing valuable information regarding the on-going modification programme, which mentioned modifications in the Model E over its predecessors including the following:-
THE CONTEMPORARY VIEW NO. 16
TURRET TOP ARMOUR
In early March’44 on the beachhead, a number of Tiger tanks were spotted from the air by an artillery recce aircraft and shortly afterwards a concentration of artillery fire was put down, during which the turret top of one Tiger was pieced by a direct hit from what appears to be an American “Long Tom.”
This incident, which cost two dead of the crew, was duly reported and is considered to have been the reason for the thickening of the turret top armour back and front from 25mm to 40mm on the Model E Tigers which came down from Paderborn in late May 1944.