Henschel Sd.Kfz.181 Tiger - Schwere Panzerabteilung 502, No.100, February 1943, Eastern Front   

Forces of Valor  1:32 MP-912042B

Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank

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.

The Tiger differed from earlier German tanks principally in its design philosophy. Its predecessors balanced mobility, armor and firepower and were sometimes outgunned by their opponents.

While heavy, this tank was not slower than the best of its opponents. However, at over 50 tonnes dead weight, the suspension, gearboxes, and other such items had clearly reached their design limits and breakdowns were frequent if regular maintenance was not undertaken.

Although the general design and layout were broadly similar to the previous medium tank, the Panzer IV, the Tiger weighed more than twice as much. This was due to its substantially thicker armor, the larger main gun, greater volume of fuel and ammunition storage, larger engine, and a more solidly built transmission and suspension.

AFVs of WWII  Armored Fighting Vehicles

The  AFVs of WWII  "Armored Fighting Vehicles" range presents affordable, ready made diecast models of military vehicles in 1:32 scale.

AFVs of WWII  "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.