[LAH 1 SS]

thanks mate the caption is correct it is an early tiger one. taking a look at the chassis it has the identifying features of a tiger produced after december 42 and before march-april 43. the main feature that sticks out is the tow shacle area that has the base of it cut away so that the tow shackles can hang freely. if you look at the machine gun area on the front glacis plate the two toggles used to hold the machine gun cover on are still present this feature was deleted in the august 43 production run of the tiger. it is also interesting to note that the tiger has a full compliment of s-mine launchers yet the headlights are not visisble more than likely stowed by the crew becuase they were easily damamged. the turret is easy to date it is definately an early production turret. this turret is known as the second version turret seen on may 43 production tigers then after that in july 43 they went to the cast cupola. having a look at the turret i cant see any s-mine launcher brackets on the turret this feature was deleated in may 43 that is not to say that they havent been broken off but by looking at the condition of this tiger i would say highly unlikely. it is also interesting to note that the tiger has tracks fitted to the sides of the turret this feature was also brought out on the second version tiger turret produced in may 43. lastly where the muzzle brake is situated there would be loaders periscope fitted to the turret roof also seen on the second version turret and after may 43. so in conclusionlooking at the evidence this vehicle was produced after may 43. now the colour scheme is dark yellow and red brown in wide bands. if you look at the drivers side and to the edge of the glacis plate you will see an emblem on the front glacis plate. under close scrutiny this emblem represents a raging bull, which is very significant to the tigers of spz abt505 at the begining of operation zitadelle in the kursk salient july 43. as for the tank number sorry cant help there its definately not clear enough to obtain hope it helps guys