UPC Code: 4950344995653

About the German Tiger I Early Production

It was the end of 1942 when a German heavy tank with extra thick armor and a powerful main gun first appeared on the North African front. The new tank, long-desired by the German soldiers who had hard-fought battles against the allies, became known as the Tiger I Ausf. E. Development of the Tiger I began at the end of May 1941. The German Army Weapons Branch ordered the Henschel firm to vie with Porsche in producing a prototype. The first prototypes underwent trials on April 1942. The result of these and subsequent trial showed the superiority of the Henschel vehicle to the Porsche's, and thus production orders were placed for it. The Henschel's prototype had thick armor of 100mm at the front and 80mm on both sides, and the main gun was the then most potent, the 8.8cm KwK 36 L/56. The powerplant was Maybach's HL 210 P45, yielding 650 horsepower. Mass production started already in August 1942 with little alteration from the prototype. Starting from November 1942, air pre-cleaners were added on the rear hull plate. The mantlet was partly strengthened and "S" mine dischargers were fitted on five mounting points around the hull roof beginning from December. Moreover, a loader's periscope was fitted from January 1943. The Tiger I produced from November 1942 to July 1943 featured these modifications, are referred to as the early production. About 200 units of these early production versions were produced.

Specifications

• Scale 1/35
• Length: 9-1/2" (24.1cm)
• Width: 4-1/4" (10.6cm)
• Height: 3-1/4" (8.1cm)
• Detailed assembly and painting instructions included.
• Designation: Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausfuhrung E (SD.Kfz.181) early-production.
• WWII German heavy tank with 88mm main gun.
• Highly detailed 1/35th scale plastic kit for static display.
• Over 200 parts in dark grey plastic.
• 1 tank commander figure.
• Separate suspension arms for road wheels.
• External details: towing cables, shovels, hammers, axe, and track links.
• Optional position turret hatches and some interior turret detail - gun breech and seats.
• Tracks are single piece flexible rubber for easy installation.

Marking
Options:
Markings provided for 6 early Tiger I's:
    1: 213, sPzAbt 502, Russia 1944: Panzer Dark Yellow.
    2: 332, sPzAbt 503, Russia 1943: Panzer Dark Grey.
    3: 131, sPzAbt 504, Tunisia 1943: Panzer Dark Yellow.
    4: S45, sPzAbt 101, Russia 1943: 3-tone Dk Yellow/Red Brown/Dk Grey camouflage.
    5: S04, sPzAbt 101, Russia 1944: White with Dark Yellow base showing through.
    6: S33, PzReg2: Dk Green camouflage stripes over Dk Yellow.

Additional paints Required:
    Flat: Black, White, Flesh, Metallic Grey, Dark Green, Red Brown, Field Grey.
    Gloss: Gun Metal, silver, Semi-gloss Black.

Requirements

• Assembly
• Plastic cement
• Paint: (see box illustrations)
• Paint Brushes
• Sprue Cutter
• Modeling Knife
• File or Emery Board
• Scissors
• Adult Supervision