Pimp your icon!

[T2_2112]

Elefant !!! WOW my wish too. GOD bless U

[asuser]

Big surprise, the Elefant is a Ferdinand!

History:
*The Elefant was a heavy tank destroyer of the German Wehrmacht used in small numbers in World War II. It was built in 1943 under the name Ferdinand, after its designer Ferdinand Porsche. In 1944, after modification of the existing vehicles, they were renamed Elefant. In September 1943 all surviving Ferdinands were recalled to be modified based on battle experience gained in the Battle of Kursk. During October and November 1943, 48 of the 50 surviving vehicles were modified by addition of a ball-mounted MG 34 in the hull front (to improve anti-infantry ability), a commander's cupola (modified from the standard StuG III cupola) for improved vision and the application of Zimmerit paste, additional gutter on the front side of the hull structure and a inverted bulletproof visor. The frontal armor was thickened and the tracks widened; these changes increased the weight from 65 to 70 t. The improved vehicles were called Elefant and this became the official name by Hitler's orders of May 1, 1944. Although the Elefant modifications improved the vehicles, some problems could never be fully fixed. In 1944 the Elefants served on the Italian front but were rendered rather ineffective, as their weight of nearly 70 tonnes did not allow them to use most Italian roads and bridges. Most Elefant losses were not as a direct result from combat, but resulted when mechanical breakdowns and lack of spare parts compelled their crews to destroy and abandon them. One company of Elefants saw action during the Soviets' January 1945 Vistula-Oder offensive in Poland, and the very last surviving vehicles were in combat at Zossen during the Battle of Berlin.
The Ferdinand/Elefant may have been the most successful tank destroyer employed during the war in kills per loss, reaching an average ratio of approximately 10:1. During the Battle of Kursk, the 653rd Heavy Tank Destroyer Battalion claimed to have knocked out 320 enemy tanks, for the loss of 13 Ferdinands. This impressive average ratio was due to its extreme firepower and protection, which gave it an enormous advantage when used in head-on combat or a static defensive role.*

And now to the available unit in PC:

Elefantold.png (44.26 KiB) Viewed 7100 times

For the update of the Ferdinand to the Elefant I used the book "Schwere Jagdpanzer" by Spielberger/Doyle/Jentz and I marked the missing parts and the other points with circles and numbers:

1 Radio operator MG
2 Bulletproof visor
3 Gutter
4/5 Commander's cupola

The actual Ferdinand and then also the Elefant you can still improve with:

6 Tool (Hammer)
7 Tow rope
8 Muzzle brake

If the operation succeeds, the result looks like this:

Elefant Update.png (50.69 KiB) Viewed 7100 times

Let's see if the operation succeeds ...

To T2_2112: You are a fan of the UI Big Icons, is it good enough for you?

Greetings!


*Used translated text from Wiki

[cedonxp]

How do you download these?

[guille1434]

Very good, informative and weel researched post, Asuser! I am sure you will able to do your "magic" again! I would love to see different icons for the Ferdinand and the Elefant!

Another idea about a unit in the same category that can be differentiated in early/late variants: the Jagdpanther!

Comparing with the early production vehicles, the late ones had some visible differences: Additional side armor, flame dampeners on the exhaust tubes, changes in its engine cover section (the late model vehicles were made from Panther G chassis instead of Panther A chassis used for the early ones), and the gun mantlet also suffered some changes (but this would be more difficult to show in the icon)...
Just another one little idea!

[T2_2112]

Big surprise, the Elefant is a Ferdinand!

To T2_2112: You are a fan of the UI Big Icons, is it good enough for you?

TANK you SO MUCH asuser. Acctually i LOVE to see a ball-mounted MG 34 in the hull front of Elefant. That is what orig WOT model dont have

Here Elefant model from WOT (modified)






Again TANK you for ur efforts

Another idea about a unit in the same category that can be differentiated in early/late variants: the Jagdpanther!

Comparing with the early production vehicles, the late ones had some visible differences: Additional side armor, flame dampeners on the exhaust tubes, changes in its engine cover section (the late model vehicles were made from Panther G chassis instead of Panther A chassis used for the early ones), and the gun mantlet also suffered some changes (but this would be more difficult to show in the icon)...
Just another one little idea!

http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/1-V ... early).htm
http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/1-V ... (late).htm

Two main variants can be distinguished; the earlier (1944 model) G1 with a small internally-bolted main gun mantlet and a modified Panther A engine deck, and the later (1945 model) G2 with a larger, outside-bolted mantlet and a modified Panther G engine deck, though late G1s also had the larger mantlet. Early Jagdpanthers had two vision openings for the driver, whereas late versions had only one. The main gun originally had a monobloc gun barrel, but later versions were equipped with the Pak 43/4 gun with a 2-part barrel. Early G1s (to September 1944) were coated with the distinctive resin paste 'zimmerit' in a distinctive 'small-squared' pattern.

Yes it HARD to see the change with small icons. BUT i know U can do it

[asuser]

Hello,

cedonxp: No it's no download, it's a 1:35 model which i have built sometime. Unfortunately the only model I have. But I have a good buddy who is model builder where I can sometimes pick up a few tips.

T2_2112: There are further points to improve: Ferdinand: Toolbox at the right side, Ferdinand/Elefant: Wide of the fenders not correct, length of the box body too short. It will take some time!

Greetings!

[T2_2112]

T2_2112: There are further points to improve: Ferdinand: Toolbox at the right side, Ferdinand/Elefant: Wide of the fenders not correct, length of the box body too short. It will take some time!

Greetings!

I know, anything will take time

[asuser]

Ring the bell, after a hell lot of work i'm ready with the updates for the Ferdinand/Elefant tanks. The original icon is not as bad, but still missing some important details that have now been improved:

-Muzzle brake
-Gun barrel aperture
-New hatches on the box body surface
-Extension of the box body by 3 pixels
-Commander Cupola (Elefant only)
-Observation slits for driver / radio operator improved
-New hatches (driver / radio operator)
-MG on the radio operator side (Elefant only)
-Cover topside below gun barrel aperture
-Welded connector part (hull / box body)
-New arrangement of rivets / MP opening hole
-New chain-drive
-Wider tread surfaces
-Tool (Ferdinand left side / Elephant rear)
-New placement national insignia
-Tool box right side (Ferdinand only)
-Attaching an extra antenna (Ferdinand / Elephant command vehicle only)

Elefantfinish.png (112.58 KiB) Viewed 6801 times

A question for T2_2112: Are the new vehicles to become to your ideas/wishes (do you see the ball mounted MG?), or is there another adjustment requests? If everything is okay, the base icon and the mask can be made…and then let the new hulks go to Kursk…again...

Greetings!

[guille1434]

Very nice, and accurately detailed work!! Thumbs up, friend!

[asuser]

Thanks Guille,
after the basic icon i will make the camo stuff for the new versions. Specific wishes are still possible to realize.

Greetings!

[T2_2112]

Ring the bell, after a hell lot of work i'm ready with the updates for the Ferdinand/Elefant tanks. The original icon is not as bad, but still missing some important details that have now been improved:

A question for T2_2112: Are the new vehicles to become to your ideas/wishes (do you see the ball mounted MG?), or is there another adjustment requests? If everything is okay, the base icon and the mask can be made…and then let the new hulks go to Kursk…again...

Greetings!

WOWW, AWESOME. More than i expect !!! TANK you SO MUCH. Could you pls add some brush of tree like this

[guille1434]

Asuser: I can't think of something more to ask for include in this projects, it looks perfect... With your permission, I will use the base icons to make the masks and "compile" the unit packs with the regular assortment of schemes. Thanks!

[asuser]

Hello,
thanks for the positive feedback.

T2_2112: Great picture! Elefant with little mistake, front headlamps were exclusively used by Ferdinand. Tree brush camo isn't a problem. I will make it after basic icon finished and together with other ideas.

Guille: Ok, let's finish it together after some last points (tow cables, headlamps...). I make a call then...

[T2_2112]

T2_2112: Great picture! Elefant with little mistake, front headlamps were exclusively used by Ferdinand. Tree brush camo isn't a problem. I will make it after basic icon finished and together with other ideas.
.

TANK you for spend time with my wishes

[asuser]

Update:

Tow cables for all versions and headlamps for the Ferdinand. Check the icon panel please, hopefully the updates are visible.

Guille: Please make the basic icons and the masks for DCS.

Greetings!

[guille1434]

Will make, Herr General!
Thanks for sharing a wonderful super-detailed piece of work! Its far better than the original icon, and besides, we have two versions for the price of one! What else can we ask for?
Thumbs up!

[T2_2112]

Thumbs up! TANK you

[asuser]

Hi,

you can be excited about the next pimp up vehicle: Jagdpanther!

Today i start the first actions to choose the right parts for updating the small beast:

Early/Late/Command Version
-Different gun barrels and gun mantlets
-New muzzle break
-New chain gear
-More visible tools
-With/without side skirts
-Different exhaust pipes
-Additional command antenna
-New hatches
-New national insignias
-Updated engine deck
-...

Greetings!

[T2_2112]

WOW, good news

What do you thinkk about this

Early



Late



And both

[asuser]

Hi T2_2112,

the pictures look interesting, thank you for support. It seems to me a little bit criss cross, because the Early version has the bolted on mantlet (original there is a smaller welded on mantlet) and the Late has a fantasy like mantlet (original this is the mantlet above). My basic source is still the great book which i used for the Ferdinand/Elefant Project ("Schwere Jagdpanzer" from Spielberger/Doyle/Jentz). So i have all of the important informations which is needed for the work.

The project is marching on and i have the following versions:

-Early (small mantlet) with / without seperate stowage box
-Late (big mantlet) with box for gun cleaning equipment on sidewall /on rear
-Late as a command vehicle with additional antenna and side skirts, eventually i give it also some battle hits and additional equipment...

Greetings!