News Update August 4th, 2025 - WWII German Armor Special Pre-Order (2 Viewers)

[Hunter Rose]

Mitch repainted a LOT of tanks for me, and we corresponded frequently.

Following his hospitalization for the lung issues mentioned above, he seemed to be recovering. Then he suddenly went back in the hospital and had a portion of his lung removed. He made it back home, and seemed to be recovering from that. The last message I received from him was that he was feeling better and about to start painting again. Then it went completely radio silent and I received no more responses to my correspondence. Many pieces Mitch had in his collection showed up on eBay about a year after that, and I'm pretty sure his wife was selling some or all of his collection.

Sadly, I feel pretty confident Mitch passed away. I'd love to hear that I am wrong and nothing would make me happier than to learn he is still painting and critiquing products. I know many on this forum sparred with Mitch, and initially I did too, but once you got to know Mitch and understand his direct nature and high standards (that he held for himself as well), you realized he was an honorable and stand-up guy with a fierce passion for the hobby and military history. He had a wonderfully dry sense of humor. He was also a true artist and Master level painter and modeler. I will forever be grateful to have known him. Wherever he may be, I wish Mitch nothing but the best.

 

[jazzeum]

It was his overly direct nature and sparring, as HR put it, that led to his being banned here. I interacted with him a bit at the HB Forum (before I decided to leave that place) but most were unrewarding and after awhile avoided commenting on what he had to say.

Be that as it may we’ve lost several members over the years, such as the Lieutenant, Larry Lo and Bosun Al. These things are inevitable.

 

[Vercingetorix Barca]

What it is about the tank that you are on the fence about?

Unlike other JJD items, this is not a stock item, he's making exactly enough to fill dealer demand and once they are gone, they are gone, no restocks or extra inventory.

IMO, it's a historically accurate NORMANDY version Tiger II, not a Tiger II from later in the war being called a Normandy variant, one of the most knowledgeable members here was a consultant on this, I trust him implicitly to provide accurate information for this tank, not sure what else there is that needs to be said.

The exhaust system and wether it was correct or not…

Yes, which is I just want to make sure everything is accurate for a price range my wife would not appreciate….

All I need to know…thank you.

 

[Vercingetorix Barca]

So here's some more info on the subject:

The author of the book Mastercom cited claims that Tiger with the normal production exhausts is #123. The JJD Federowicz book on s.Pz.Abt. 503 written/edited by veterans of the unit has that picture in it and does not assign a specific turret # to it. Others have identified the tank in that picture as #121.

The argument for that tank being #121 usually cites this image as being of that same tank. It shows the last digit as a #1. Note the circular plug in the center of the hatch that is hanging out. On the other picture, the plug is in place, but the paint of the turret number on this circular portion is clearly rotated out of its correct position. The reasoning to claim this as #121 is that these pics are of the same tank, and the plug was pushed back into its incorrect position before British soldiers took the pictures Mastercom posted.

I am not saying the author cited by Mastercom is incorrect. But it is a new claim that the tank in question is #123. Again, I'm not saying the author is incorrect, but I'd love to know more about how the author arrived at that conclusion.

As I said others claim the tank is #121, so there are multiple claims on the identity of that King Tiger. This is often the case when a definitive picture of the turret number does not exist.

To me, the last digit still looks like a #1 in the picture Mastercom posted. I think it is a topic of debate, not something that has been definitively proven either way.

Collectors on the fence can make decide for themselves and make their purchase decisions accordingly.




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I just needed some nudging. Thank you for information. I appreciate it.