Since the time of this posting I've learned a couple of new things about Tiger's of the 501st. The last couple of Tigers belonging to the 2 Kompanie, including the 712 and 833 were completed with 1 piece track guards and the hinged front mud guards as seen on later tanks. I earlier surmised that these had been purloined off a 504 Tiger, they are original.

An interesting note is that the 712 to this day wears at least one of the early style 2 piece side mud guards. You can see it changing positions in various photographs over the years. Must have lost one and grabbed one from another tank.

Have also learned that 2 Kompanie tanks were all odd numbered. Even numbers went to the PZIIIs. Thus there was 211, 213, 221, 223, 231, 233, 241, 243 and a company commander numbered tank 200. No photographs exist of 200, 211 and 221. The 213 became the 813, the 223 and 233 were blown up together at Beja as 823 and 833 respectively. 231 was never renumbered, it was one of the first losses.

Examining photographs of 712 leads me to strongly consider that it might have been the 813. Either that or 811.

Some of the confusion about 712 being 112 comes from the fact that its instrument console came from the 112 which is serial number 250012. I've gotten my hands on some new photographs and you can just make out the serial number in 2 places, on the front plate and on the jack block. One of the first 2 tanks issued to the 501st was sent back to the factory 2 months after issue and presumably returned as we have photos of both 250011 (231 tank) and 250012 (112) tank in Tunisia. Somewhere along the way 250031 (712) must have gotten its hands on the panel.

There's tons of other detail items too, if anyone has any questions, feel free to ask and please don't hesitate to contribute your knowledge to the topic! [sm=idea.gif]