German Late Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank

"312", Schwere Panzerabteilung 505, Poland, 1944

AFVs of WWII  1:43 No. 23181-44

The German Waffenamt issued an order to design the VK4501(H) (as the PzKpfw VI Ausf. E was then known) in May 1941, just one month prior to the commencement of Operation Barbarossa.

Interestingly, Henschel und Sohn of Kassel was charged with building the heavily armored chassis while Krupp, by far the largest munitionwerks in Germany, was given the task of developing the turret.

The PzKpfw VI Ausfuhrung E (type E) was one of the first German tanks to feature a torsion bar with eight interleaved wheels, which was designed to support the weight of the mammoth 57-ton tank. The Ausf. E mounted a huge 8.8cm KwK36 L/56 cannon and featured two MG34 machine guns for close support against enemy infantry. By war's end, 1,354 vehicles had been produced, some rolling off the Wegmann assembly line.

Henschel Sd.Kfz.181 Tiger

Production of the Tiger began in August 1942, and by August 1944 1,355 of these tanks had been built. The 88mm main gun was the most powerful anti-tank gun in use by any army. The superior mobility of Allied tanks allowed them to attack from behind or from the side in the hope of taking a Tiger down. The influence of Tiger tanks on allied morale grew to almost mythical proportions, and was known as "Tigerphobia." Tigers destroyed tremendous amounts of enemy equipment and often just the sight of a Tiger would induce the Russian tankers to withdraw.

Motor City Classics Armored Fighting Vehicles

The Motor City Classics "Armored Fighting Vehicles" range presents affordable, ready made diecast models of military vehicles in 1:43 scale.

Motor City Classics "Armored Fighting Vehicles" diecast vehicles feature:

• Diecast metal and plastic construction.
• Rotating turret, elevating cannon and accurate hull.
• Fitted, non-moving tracks and detailed non-rotating wheels.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Clear acrylic display case to protect model.