Tamiya 35216 1/35 Ger. Tiger I Early Production Tank Plastic Model Kit for Unisex Adult

It used to be the end of 1942 when a German heavy tank with extra thick armor and a strong main gun first seemed at 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 results 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 used to be the then most potent, the 8.8cm KwK 36 L/56. The powerplant used to be Maybach’s HL 210 P45, yielding 650 horsepower. Mass production began already in August 1942 with little alteration from the prototype. Starting from November 1942, air pre-cleaners were added at the rear hull plate. The mantlet used to be partly strengthened and “S” mine dischargers were fitted on five mounting points around the hull roof beginning from December. Moreover, a loader’s periscope used to be fitted from January 1943. The Tiger I constituted of November 1942 to July 1943 featured these modifications, are known as the early production. About 200 units of these early production versions were produced.
Kit features detailed flexible tracks.
Kit includes one lifelike Commander figure.
1/35 Scale Armor