That’s what I meant. A 1,400 cubic inch gasoline engine with open pipes would be loud at even a moderate distance. The surface coating might help break up the pattern of the tank, but there would still be something roaring around out there that’s as big as a small house.
Not thermal, “lower spectrum” infrared-- that was a post-war development-- but active “upper spectrum” infrared. You’d need an external IR light source, like a tank- or rifle-mounted IR spotlight, to illuminate targets. It wouldn’t pick up heat or anything like what people think of today’s thermal imagers-- instead, more like a low-light scope. Think of it as a flashlight only you can see.
Minor nitpick: “For most of the war…” should really be, “By the time the Tigers were developed and deployed…” From 1939 to early 1943 they were consistently on the offensive and even managed large-scale offensive actions into 1944. The Battle of the Bulge was, of course, the last real attempt at an offensive operation (aside from isolated units attempting breakouts to avoid being surrounded).
Your general point that the Tigers were used mostly on the defensive is one I agree with.
Og, I love the Dope, maybe the only place where discussions of German armor and jokes about Fargo come together!
I was a pretty serious modellor as a kid. But putting the zimmerit pattern on a 1/35 scale Tiger was always too damn much work and the mark of the truly dedicated hobbyist.
You lied to me, Mr. Henschel.
(Bucky, please…)
You’re a liar… a… a fooking liar!
(Bucky, please!)