Vorpanzer study, visualised by Liejon's 1/35 model.
During an early Tiger study, Liejon Schoot encountered remains of the Vorpanzer. It's working was not clear. This resulted in him building a model of a prototype VK 45.01(H), specifically chassis V1.
The Vorpanzer was an extra armour plate that was carried on the Tiger's glacis plate. When going into battle, this plate could be lowered for extra protection. The first prototype and two shooting range test target vehicles were equipped with it. Obviously, it did not meet criteria since it was immediately deleted. On early production Tigers, remains of the Vorpanzer design can still be found.
Liejon can be contacted here: .
r01: Prototype VK 45.01
Source: Panzerkampfwagen Tiger und seine Abarten (Spielberger) page 75 /
r02: VK 45.01(H) chassis V1
Source D.W. to Tiger 1, page 41 /
r03: VK 45.01(H) chassis V1
Source D.W. to Tiger 1, page 41
rs01: Shooting range test DHHV-II
Source: D.W. to Tiger 1, page 186 /
rs02: Shooting range test DHHV-II
Source: D.W. to Tiger 1, page 186 /
rs03: Shooting range test DHHV-II
Source: The Tiger tank, a British View, page 225
/ The working was not totally clear at first, so Rob made this sketch.
The dimension of 290mm for the cut-out of the upper arm in the glacis plate is from a measurement on a late Tiger part found in the Westwall Museum in Pirmasens. It is possible that V1 had a different dimension here.
The positions of the upper and lower arms and their sizes are based on estimations from the pictures.
Vorpanzer study (VK 45.01 (H) Chassis V1
The model of the Vorpanzer is an as accurate as possible reproduction possible of the real thing. All dimensions are estimated from the few existing pictures, and made to fit a 1/35 model (Dragon 6600) By making the mechanism workable, and the shield fitting in a similar position in both raised and lowered position as in the pictures, I could determine the height of the shield, the length of the arms and position of the hinges.
The front ends of the lower side plates are different from production vehicles.
On the right is the front side of a prototype chassis. It has no semi circular armour to protect the final drives, the "extensions" ends lower, and there are two holes drilled, one for the lower Vorpanzer arm, and the top one for fitting a towing shackle.
On the left is a front end of an early production vehicle. The "extension" is cut shorter just above the hole for the lower Vorpanzer arm. The hole for the towing shackle is plugged and relocated to a higher position because of the semi circular final drive armour which was added after the Vorpanzer was rejected.
The notch in the top of the "extension" is still present on the early production chassis. /
/ Another difference with production hulls is the glacis plate.
Originally the glacis plate was wider, extended over the tracks. There were two cut-outs to allow the upper arms to rotate.
There are a few theories about why there are holes in the corners of the glacis plate, for camo poles or a small crane.
Pictures show the holes were not present yet on the prototype. My theory about the holes is as follows; When the Vorpanzer was rejected the corners of the glacis were cut from all already produced glacis plates. This possibly was done because easy access to sprockets and final drives with a crane was required. At the same time, or maybe little later, the holes for the "sprocket crane" were drilled, so the need for a motorized crane was no longer needed in the field. Rings to provide a level base for the crane were then added in Dec. 1942.
Another two smaller holes can be seen on early hulls. Some say they were to mount brackets for headlights, which were unique for 1st Kompanie of the sPzAbt.501 in Tunisia. But then why also the APG Tiger-I has these holes (2nd Kompanie sPzAbt.501)
This together with the fact that headlight brackets could be welded on more easily, and something which can be seen on this location in pictures of the prototype, made me realize it could be for something that needs a firm fixture on the glacis.
These wartime pictures show a part on which the Vorpanzer shield rests on when in transport position.
Most logical would be a rubber block on a metal plate which is bolted to the glacis.
The shield in the transport position. The shield rests on rubber blocks which are bolted to glacis and shield. The four rubber blocks would carry some of the plates weight and relieve the hinges in transport position, possibly they also would secure the plate against sideways movement. /
/ The shield between transport and lowered position. For a period during movement of the shield, the drivers view will be obstructed.
In lowered position the angled strips which are bolted to the top of the shield rests into the notches of the side armour "extensions", relieving the upper arms from the weight of the shield. The lower arms are locked against the hull. /
/ On the underside the glacis plates were recessed, possibly to have little more clearance with the tracks and prevent dirt to build up.
A view on how the upper arm rotates through the cut-out in the glacis plate. /
/ In lowered position the angled strips on the shield close the gap between shield and glacis.
Next to the angles strips is something of which I think are lifting eyes for installing the shield to the hull. /
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