D.M.L. – DRAGON ARMOR DRR60019 – Tiger I – Pz Kpfw VI Ausf. E (Sd Kfz 181) (mid production without Zimmerit coating).
sPxAbt 509, Russia – Easter Front, Spirng 1944
MSRP is $12.95. The price is lower compare to Tiger models with Zimmerit
1/72 Scale, approximately: L 3.625” (4.75 w gun); W 2.125”. Despite relatively small size models are exceptionally detailed and have outstanding paintjob,
display great! This is a great model of arguably the most famous tank in the history and one of the deadliest of WW II. * A welcome edition to any military collection, also great for war gamers.
360 degree rotating turret; elevating gun;
In a model you can easily recognize a mid production model by its new turret that had a new commander cupola (much lower compare to early production) different ports on a turret and absence of grenade launcher on a turret sides. Two headlights were replaced with one, which was positioned in a middle between the hull MG and drivers vision port. Auxiliary filtration system is no longer present, but still have dish type road wheels. Many other upgrades and improvement were made but they can’t be visible on a model.
Please remember that the first Dragon models from this series were Tiger I early production (now if you will be able to find them you should be ready to spend 7-15 times of its original price). 60019 & 60020 are first releases of Tiger mid production by Dragon Armor in their regular line. Mid production Tiger with Zimmerit was issued as a limited edition, UML Exclusive.
Models are limited run, the popularity of this series growing rapidly. They are sold out by manufacturer practically upon their releases or even pre-sold by manufacturer. It is a really good idea to plan your purchase in advance.
Dragon Armor
This line features static pre-assembled, pre-painted models made of both diecast and plastic. Each item is fully detailed and historically accurate.
Dragon ARMOR 1:72 models are:
1. True to scale: Wheels, tracks, engines, hull accoutrements ... Dragon Armor are 100% true-to-scale -- these don't look like "model tanks", these look like TANKS!
2. Authentically detailed: Dragon Armor tanks are carefully researched for maximum authenticity in detailing ... color, camouflage, unit markings, and all the other little things which mark the difference between an authentic scale model and a "toy". Dragon Armor looks REAL!
3. Fully assembled: Each Dragon Armor tank comes fully-assembled and ready for display ... no glue, no paint, no worry about mistakes. An instant display piece or diorama centerpiece straight from the box!
4. Each WITH its own protective DISPLAY CASE!
ABOUT THE TANK
Panzerkampfagen (Tank) VI Ausf (Modification) E (Sd Kfz 181)
Other designation: TIGER (Tiger I after 8/1944); VK54501 (H))
Type: Heavy tank
Manufacturer: Henschel, Wegmann
In production: July 1942 – August 1944
Production: 1,354
Engine: Maybach HL210P45
Speed:(km/m) 38 / 23mph
Range:(km/m) 140
Weight:(tons) 57
Size:(m/foot) L 8.45/28.17; W 3.7/12.33'; H 2.93/ 9.77'
Crew: 5
Armament: One 8.8 cm KwK36 L/56; Two 7.92mm MG34
Ammunition: 92 Pzgr 4,800 Patr SmK Spgr
ARMOUR (mm/o) Front Side Rear Top/Bottom
Turret 100/8 80/0 80/0 25/81-90
Superstructure: 100/10 80/0 25/90
Hull: 100/24 60/0 80/8 25/90
Gun mantlet: 100-110/0
HISTORY
In 1937 Henschel started to develop a heavy breakthrough tank which would be about 50 percent heavier than the Pz Kpfw IV, two prototype were developed DW 1 and after an order followed in 1938 DW II.
In late 1939 Waffenamt (Ordnance Department) issued an order to develop a heavy tank project VK3001. Two major competitors for this project were Henschel (H) and Porsche (P).
Henschel utilized the same hull arrangement as on DW II. In early 1941 after trials first VK3001 (H) were completed but in May the project was abandon in favor of heavier VK3601.
On May 26, 1941 the order to design VK4501 was issued. Both Henschel and Nibelungewerke (Porsche) extensively used experience and test results from their VK30001 project vehicles.
Henschel won the contract for VK4501 (H) and the most famous tank in the history was born. It becomes known as Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf E (Sd Kfz 181) or The Tiger Tank, after development of the Kingtiger in late 1944 the Tiger tank become Tiger I.
Krupp developed and manufactured the turret for both VK4501 (P) and the VK4501 (H). Production started in July 1942, with 335 to be completed by the time of the 1943 summer offence, which was planned on May 12. The original order was 285 pcs but since 50 units were halted in production at Nibelungewerke additional 50 units was ordered to compensate the loss. Only 1,354 were built during July 1942 – August 1944.
Ninety hulls were in production at Nibelungewerke for Tiger (P) 88 were converted to heavy tank destroyer the famous Ferdinand, with 48 left by the end of German 1944 summer offense returned to the factory were modified and upgraded and renamed to Elefant; two were converted in an evacuation vehicles.
To support its 57 tons the Tiger had eight sets of interleaved road wheels with torsion bars suspension. The dish type road wheels were replaced with new steel-tyred, rubber-cushioned type in January 1944. For transportation a different narrow track set was used. In order to use it engineers need to be removing outer wheel row. To transport Tiger tanks a special railroad platform was designed and used.
The hull and superstructure were welded together. In order to allow an installation of a wide turret the superstructure extended over the tracks. The 8.8 cm (88 mm) gun developed from dual purpose Anti-Aircraft / Anti-Tank gun was mounted in the external gun mantlet. One MG34 machine gun was install coaxially along with the main gun and one in the front of the superstructure.
Original turret design had two machine-pistol ports in the rear and a cylindrical cupola with vision slits. In December 1942 an escape hutch replaced the pistol port on the right side and since July 1943 it was equipped with newest design commander cupola with periscopes. Maybach HL230P30 engine, which improved automotive performance, was installed since May 1943. During the production numerous modification were made to improve tank performance. The Ausf (Variant) E was the only version but production divided in Early, Mid and Late Production models.
Early production models had such features as schnorkel tube that allowed the tank wade to a depth of 13ft and the “Feifel” air cleaner system. Anti-personal small mine launchers located at a turret both front corner. These features were abandoned. Zimmerit Paste coating (protection against anti-tank magnetic mines) was applied at the factory for all late production models. The coating also was applied at tank repair shops, therefore early and mid production units also could be seen on pictures with a Zimmerit coating. The order was to cover vertical surface of a tank but not a turret, track guards or tracks, however it was widely ignored and practically on every picture that shows a tank with Zimmerit coating you will see a turret covered with it.
Eighty-four of Tiger tanks were issued as “Pz Bef Wg mit 8.8cm KwK L/56” – command observation tank, which was equipped with additional radio set. In order to accommodate it ammunition stowage was reduced to 66 rounds for the 8.8cm and 4,050 Patr for machine-guns. A few were field converted to evacuation and special purpose vehicles. Three Tigers were sold to Hungary in July 1944. One Tiger tank was sold to the Imperial Japanese Army, but was never delivered to Japan. Eventually it was lease to Germans. Interestly it was sold at a few times of its price. In August – December 1944 eighteen Tiger tanks, which were returned from the front with turret damage were converted to Sturmmorser Tiger (Sturmtiger) – Assault rocket mortar, which fired 38cm rocket-assisted ammunition (originally design as an anti-submarine weapon). All were issued to Sturmmorser Companies 1001, 1002 and 1003.
The first unit equipped with Tiger tanks was the 1st Platoon of the 502nd schwere (company), Panzerabteilung /PzAbt (heavy tank battalion detachment). It was rushed to the Leningrad area in August 1942. It was a total disaster; tanks were used in a terrain kind absolutely unsuitable for heavy tanks. The Russians captured one of the new Tiger tanks, which was on display at the Gorky park in Moscow during the famous exebition of captured German weapons and send to Kybinka (famous Russian tank test ground)
All Tiger tanks were issued to army and SS as heavy tank battalion detachments and were transferred as needed.
Every crewmember was selected from experienced tankers only, than the entire crew will pass through very extensive theory and practice course before its deployment to the front. During the 1943 Summer offensive in the Kursk area (The Battle of The Kursk / Operation Citadel) Germans used a mass use of the Tiger tanks. In wide-open Russian fields environment it was at its best, destroying Russian tanks at will. During the largest tank battle in history – The Battle of Prokhorovka Russians managed destroy numbers of Tiger Tanks while point blank shooting. Russian also manage destroy numerous of Tiger tanks by air attack. Attacks by legendary IL-2 - “Styrmovik” (assault plane) inflicted very heavy losses on German Tank Division during The Battle of Kursk.
The Tiger tank was in service until the end of the war and had taken a very heavy toll of enemy armour and personal on all fronts. Most allied tanks could managed a Tiger tank only if they had a chance to approach it to a close distance and use Tiger weakness in order to knock it from side or back. It also was a great psychological weapon that raised German troops moral and inflicted a significant damage on Allied forces. The greatest tank ace Michael Wittmann scored most of his victories on both East and West Fronts while serving with a Tiger tank company.
Heavily armed and armored the 57 tons tank, surprisingly, could negotiate obstacles very well in other hand low power to weight ratio allowed relatively low speed especially on a soft ground and poor maneuverability. Another weakness was its turret rotation low speed. Tank required constant maintenance that could be made by highly trained personal only. Many regular procedures could be made at specialized facility only that required tanks evacuation from the front area. It had very high fuel consumption that became a tremendous problem for Germans by the end of the war; many were abandoned just because of a fuel shortage. The tank was very expensive in production and maintenance and required significant time to built one.
schwere Panzer Abteilungen (sPzAbt) 509 Special Heavy Tank Battalion 509 - was formed on 9 September 1943, from elements of Pz. Rgt. 204 of 22nd Pz. Div. The battalion was issued 45 Tiger Is, and fought on the Eastern Front from late 1943 to the September of 1944. In November of 1943, the 3rd company of sPzAbt 509 was detached and assigned to support 2 SS Pz. Div. Das Reich. During September 1944 - January 1945 the battalion was in Senneläger, the training ground, for re-equipping with new Tiger II Ausf Bs.
In January of 1945, the battalion was sent to Hungary, and assigned to IV SS PzKorps. The German offensive started on January 18th, and the battalion was engaged in a number of battles in Hungary and then Austria. sPzAbt 509 surrendered to American troops on May 9, 1945, near Linz. The battalion had no tanks - its motorized component was one Schwimmwagen, one radio car, and one truck.
*This product represents a subject from a specific period in history. It may contain details, equipment, uniform and / or vehicles that include insignia or marking that some could find offensive. All insignia and emblems are included to maintain complete historical accuracy. The inclusion of these insignia and emblems / markings is no way an endorsement or approval of the activities associated with the subject matter at any time or manner.
**Age over 14 collectable item.
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