Early in 1943, orders were given to design a heavy, self-propelled anti-tank gun, which would mate a 12.8cm gun with a Tiger II chassis. On October 20th, 1943 a wooden mock-up of the enormous vehicle was shown to the OKH planners who authorized that a prototype be finished by April 1944. Two Jagdtigers were built with the Porsche-designed longitudinal torsion-bar suspension. During field testing, this arrangement proved entirely unsatisfactory, which further delayed production of the tank destroyer. The initial series was set at 150 vehicles, but an order issued in October 1944 stipulated that when these had been completed, production capacity was to be switched over to the Panther. This mandate was reversed in January 1945, and assembly of the Jagdtiger was to be resumed as fast as possible. By March 1945, only 77 examples were produced, all assigned to either the Panzerjagerabteilung 653 or the schwere Panzerabteilung 512.

Dragon Armor has launched a 1:72 scale model of this Henschel Production Jagdtiger. The fully built-up replica represents tank destroyer "X8" of sPzJgAbt 512 fighting in Germany in 1945. Of special note is the realistically textured coating of zimmerit on the hull and superstructure of this Jagdtiger. This collector's item has been face-lifted and a brand new crane added to the roof. This type of crane was used to lift up the superstructure roof in order to gain access to the fighting compartment for maintenance. The crane is beautifully reproduced to scale, as is the vehicle itself resplendent in its late-war ambush camouflage scheme. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 5-1/2-inches
Width: 2-1/4-inches

Release Date: September 2007

Historical Account: Jagdtiger Abteilung 512 was formed in the late fall of 1944 and was equipped with twenty Jagdtiger heavy tank destroyers, mounting 128mm KwK 44 L/55 guns on modified Tiger II Ausf B chassis. There were two companies, each with 10 vehicles. Two Jagdtigers were in each company HQ section, and four Jagdtigers were in each of the two platoons. The two companies, named Kompanie Carius and Kompanie Ernst, fought as separate units. Kompanie Ernst was reinforced with a platoon of Stug III assault guns, one PzKpfw IV medium tank, and a platoon of self-propelled 37mm flak guns. Both units fought in Germany's last battles, and surrendered to US forces occupying the Ruhr in 1945.