Echelon Fine Details AXT351056 1/35 SchPzAbt 506 Tiger Is Decal - Eastern Front 1943

Designed entirely from scratch to reflect the most updated information (nothing was carried over from AXT351008). As a result, even finer details were achieved with the unit emblems. There are very fine differences when compared to the previous set. While some are obvious, other improvements are barely discernible unless you hold them up really close. The two small and large emblems have always been there. However, thanks to more information showing up in recent years, close-up photos were able to reveal a variation that small emblems had thin versus thick black outlines around the "W"s. And the large tactical numbers were in thick (as reflected in AXT351008) and thin formats (new for this set). And that black outlines were always there. Some didn't show up clearly due to the black outlines being really thin and got blurred out in slightly murky / less defining images. They showed up as mild "shadows" around the edges. In the past, references can only be found in the books where the images were fixed and could not be expanded. When you attempt to look closely, you can only notice the usual printing artifacts. All these new discoveries can only be seen through digital images found online where one can zoom in really closely and draw out the finer details. The tiger face and body stripes of the larger emblem can be also be made out clearer than before (as reflected on this set). Lastly, it is possible that some of the tigers on the emblems were painted in another colour. Educated guess is orange since that is the true colour of the actual animal. Yes, it could be the cause of lens filter used during war time. However, there was one particular image that sealed this notion. An image of two Tigers parked side by side with both rear bins toward the camera. "Green 1" and "Yellow 1". The tiger on "Yellow 1" was visibly darker than the yellow "W" below it, versus the lighter tiger on "Green 1", but not as dark as the reds in the shields. Which can only mean a shade of orange, deductive logics speaking. There was also a 3rd (Yellow) Kompanie Tiger image in TiC 1 that proves this (animal motif darker than "W"). The instruction sheet was completely overhauled was well, and covered more specfic Tigers, which also now included one of the Stab Tiger "Green 1".

Incorporating all these findings, the markings of 506 Tiger Is have expanded almost three fold to cover all possibiliies. Resulting in a even larger and more colourful set than AXT351008. Very likely the most comprehensive 506 Tiger I marking set to date.

AXT351008 set, which was first released back in 2005, 19 years ago, has gone through very minor revisions through 3 reprints. However, while still accurate and usuable (just including not the latest discoveries) has no more room to expand due space sharing with Fehrmann's Tiger I markings. This set is hence forth retired from the AXT range and will no longer be reprinted. If needed be, Fehrmann's Tigers will be included into a future set which will probably feature Tiger Is of the same mix-and-match varieties from other units.