This is footage made post war by British forces, testing the various German vehicles found at the testing grounds at Haustenbeck. Right at the start, we see the JagdTiger which can today be seen at the Tank Museum in Bovington. Parked next to it, is one of the first Tiger Ausf. B finished at Henschel und Sohn. The barrel is blown. This one is fitted with the late single link Kgs 73/800/152 tracks though still having the early 18 teeth sprocket. These are the tracks now on the Tiger Ausf. B with Initial Turm at the Tank Museum. Behind the JagdTiger, to the right side of the film, is a VK-3001(H), one of Henschels designs for the line of tanks culminating in the VK-4501 (H), which became the Tiger Ausf. E. It is fitted with a testweight instead of a turret. The next sequence has the Tiger Ausf. B with Initial Turm driving towards the camera, flanked by an Archerand I think a Cromwell. As they pass the camera, a Tiger Ausf. E wreck can be seen. Following are takes of the Tiger Ausf. B with Initial Turm driving close past the camera and through very wet muddy terrain. Then, we see it parked next to the Cromwell, rotating its turret over the small British tank. Then we get a bit of peek-a-boo with the Tiger Ausf. B driving through some trees. An impressive on the spot turn follows, although it isnt exactly a perfect rotation as the tank does shift from its spot. Next, a corner around the Tiger Ausf. E wreck, followed by the Cromwell and Archer. The turnradius of the Tiger Ausf. B is commendable here. Then we see the Cromwell firing, and its target is the earlier seen Tiger Ausf. E. Back to the Tiger Ausf. B and it is driven into the basin. The basin is actually not filled as it was used for trialing underwater driving. This time the Tiger Ausf. B doesnt even get its hull roof wet. The big clouds building up behind are due to the lack of exhaust stacks on this Tiger Ausf. B. A close up of the Tiger Ausf. B running gear follows. Another look at the parked vehicles than. Right to left, Cromwell, JagdTiger Porsche suspension, Tiger Ausf. B Initital Turm and a Panther Ausf. G. After that, we see the Cromwell drive past the E-100 chassis, followed by an overhead view of the hull, showing a lot of loose parts dumped in the engine compartment, turret ring opening and the motordeck placed on the right forward of the hull. The Archer then takes aim at the Tiger Ausf. E with the hits being inspected. A section of the hull side armour apparently seems to have been cut.This reveals the hull to be devoid of most of its interior fittings. There are no fans, fueltanks, ammo holders or anything else present. Now its time for the JagdTiger with Porsche suspension. Already during testing by the Germans, one of the suspension unit bogies had completely snapped off the hull. The 70 tons of JagdTiger is put into an on the spot turn, and it plows up the ground a big deal, yet manages to drive away without problems. Then a backwards on the spot turn is performed. Here the missing suspension unit is clearly seen. Also this is clearly visible on the next sequence, showing the JagdTiger drive by, only 6 of the roadwheels are present. Also note here, the presence of Zimmerit on the rear mudguards. We then switch attention to the VK-3001(H), which was found with a trenchdigging system attached on the hull rear. The huge hatch on the testweight looks rather comical. The vehicles is than shown digging a trench, though as evidenced by the people following, it isnt really much of a trench. The film ends with a good detail viewing of the VK-3001(H) running gear.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 01:21:19 +0000