Forces of Valor Metal Proud Engine Plus Series
German Sd.Kfz.181 PzKpfw VI Tiger Ausf. E Heavy Tank Initial Production Model
Schwere Panzerabteilung 502 No.100 February 1943 Eastern Front Germany

Scale: 1:32
Model Number: 912042B
Length: 26.3 cm
Width: 11 cm
Height: 9.3 cm

• Torsion bar suspension, free spinning road wheels and many moveable catches.
• Detailed diecast metal and plastic model with realistic landscape display plinth packaged in presentation box.
• Die-cast metal soldier, turret, upper hull, gun mantlet and CNC machined aluminium gun barrel.
• Removable fully detailed Mayback HL210 P45 engine and radiator.
• Authentic casting textures across all of tank's surface - hobby grade winter camouflage and weathering effect according to Abt. 502.

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These new tanks arrived in August 1942 and first saw combat with the unit in mid September 1942 on the eastern Front. Throughout their time assigned to the Eastern Front, the battalion saw action around to Leningrad area. During January 1943 nine Tigers with chassis numbers 250002 to 250010 were assigned to the 502nd Battalion. These Tiger's were classified as Initial production models - they were not equipped with front, rear or side mudguards, Feifel air filters or the exhaust shrouds as seen on later Tiger models. To hide the exhaust gas flames, a sheet metal 'chimney' was fixed to the top of each exhaust pipe on a very small number of the 502nd's Tigers.

These tanks were suitably camouflaged for this first Winter campaign of the War, they were painted with a soluble winter whitewash over the basic German Dunkelgrau (Dark Grey) hull colour. This whitewash was diluted with whatever was freely available at the time - freshwater, dirty river water, even fuel, resulting in patchy, easily worn off and heavily weathered finishes.

This particular Tiger, tactical number "100" unusually had two large "Rommelkist" (Turret tool/stowage box) located on each side of the turret. It was slightly damaged in action between 17-18th of January 1943 during Operation Spark and due to lack of recovery equipment was abandoned before eventually being towed away from the front line by the Russians. This tank was studied extensively by the Russians before being put on display with others in Gorky Park, Moscow, for the public and other Military officials - Stalin and Zhukov amongst others, to see.

Whilst there it was famously photographed without its winter whitewash and also a missing side turret box. Germany's 2nd highest scoring "Panzer Ace", Otto carius, commanded Tigers with 502nd Battalion until early 1945. The unit was re-designed as the 511th Battalion in January 1945 having been credited with destroying around 1400 Tanks to a loss of 107.

To appeal to the devoted collectors Forces of Valor has spent a significant amount of time & engineering into developing the hatch & hinges, different kind of gearings etc.
Due to the highly detailed models Forces of Valor produce you can inspect the mechanical components from the comfort of your own home .