Forces of Valor German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank - "Black 832", 2.SS Panzerabteilung, 2.SS Panzer Division "Das Reich", Eastern Front, February 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine] (1:32 Scale)

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German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank - "Black 832", 2.SS Panzerabteilung, 2.SS Panzer Division "Das Reich", Eastern Front, February 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine] (1:32 Scale)

Forces of Valor German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank - "Black 832", 2.SS Panzerabteilung, 2.SS Panzer Division "Das Reich", Eastern Front, February 1943

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* Note: Includes a bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 engine enclosed in the packaging

Pre-order! Ship Date: 2023

You'll earn: 125 points

Availability: Pre-Order
Product Code: FOV801062A

Description

Extended Information

Forces of Valor FOV801062A German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank - "Black 832", 2.SS Panzerabteilung, 2.SS Panzer Division "Das Reich", Eastern Front, February 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine] (1:32 Scale) "The gun and armor of the Tiger were superb, making it in many ways the most formidable tank in service. Even so, it was poor in maneuver, it was slow, and its turret was a slow traverser in action. It was a tank which was, at its best, immobile in ambush, when its killing power was very frightening."
- Douglas Orgill, "German Armor"

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.

Pictured here is a 1:32 scale replica of an early production German Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E heavy tank that was attached to the 2.SS Panzerabteilung, 2.SS Panzer Division "Das Reich", then deployed to the Eastern Front during February 1943. Comes with bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 engine. Pre-order! Ship Date: 2023.

Dimensions:
Length: 10-1/4-inches
Width: 4-1/2-inches

Release Date: ?

Historical Account: "Das Reich" - 2.SS Panzer Division "Das Reich" was formed in October 1939 from the Deutschland, Germania, and Der Fuhrer regiments. It took part in the 1940 campaign in the west and, after spending some time guarding the border with Vichy France, was transferred to The Netherlands. Das Reich participated in the Balkans campaign where a small detachment, led by SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer Klingenberg, forced the surrender of Belgrade without a fight.

"Das Reich" was involved in the invasion of Russia and fought until August when it was finally withdrawn for rest and refit. It returned to the front the following month, which enabled it to take part in the failed offensive against Moscow in December. In March 1942, the bulk of the division was transferred to France, where it was upgraded to a panzergrenadier division. It was sent back to the Eastern front in January 1943, helping to recapture the city of Kharkov and participate in the battle for Kursk. Afterwards, it was transferred to France for a second time, where it was upgraded to a full panzer division. The Division was sent to Normandy in June 1944 when the Allies invaded, earning a reputation for unbridled ruthlessness at Oradour sur Glane. In late 1944 and into early 1945, "Das Reich" fought in the Ardennes, Hungary, and Austria, before finally surrendering to the US Army in mid-1945.