In January 1943, a new Tiger tank was ordered by the Waffenamt, this time with a turret large enough to mount the fearsome 8.8cm L/71 gun. Besides improving its tank killing capabilities, the new Tiger was also intended to be more survivable on the battlefield. To achieve this, the thickness of the frontal armor was increased to 150mm, while the side armor remained constant at 80mm. A wooden mock-up showing the immense size of the vehicle was displayed on October 20th, 1943 and immediately became the center of attention to all that saw it. Production of the vehicle began soon thereafter in November 1943 although the first 50 vehicles sported the Porsche turret with its curved front plate. On December 6th, the Waffenant deemed that the shot-trap formed by the turret be eliminated. This was achieved by Henschel re-designing the turret and gun mantlet, in such a manner as to decrease the frontal area while at the same time incorporating a bell-shaped mantlet.

Carrying on in the greatest traditions from the original maker, Waltersons, the new owners of the Forces of Valor and Extreme Metals brands, has once again crafted a marvelous 1:16 scale diecast replica of the PzKpfw VI King Tiger Ausfuhrung B heavy tank. This stunning recreation features a rotating turret -- which can be removed so you can check out the different crew stations -- elevating gun, opening hatches, removable diecast ammunition, detachable fender skirts, tank commander, and realistic-looking metal tracks! Each metal track alone weighs over 2 pounds!

All sorts of armament and other accessories have also been included to give this 'king of the battlefield' a truly royal look. This particular King Tiger is painted in a dazzling autumn ambush camouflage pattern and was commanded by SS-Oberscharfuhrer Kurt Sowa, who was attached to 2.Kompanie, schwere SS Panzerabteilung 501, "Kampfgruppe Peiper", then deployed to Ardennes Forest during December 1944. Comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity. Comes with four riders from the 3.Fallschirmjager Division. Pre-order! Price and ship date to be determined.

Dimensions:
Length: 25-inches
Width: 9-inches
Height: 7-inches

Release Date: ?

Historical Account: "The Number of the Beast" - During the Ardennes counteroffensive of late 1944, Kampfgruppe Peiper, commanded by SS-Obersturmbannfuhrer Joachim Pieper, consisted of some 5000 troops including 1st Battalion, SS Panzer Regiment 1, Schwere SS Panzerabteilung 501 armed with King Tiger tanks, a battalion of SS panzer grenadiers, a battalion of SS armored artillery, a company of armored engineers, and some anti-aircraft troops from a Luftwaffe regiment.

Ahead of Peiper's advance, a unit of paratroopers had been dropped to clear the roads. The terrain suited the defenders as it was ideal for ambushes, with it's narrow roads and gullies, wooded terrain and winding roads. As they advanced he discovered that the roads had not been cleared of mines by the paratroopers and he had to clear the way himself destroying two half-tracks in the process. The road was eventually cleared and they advanced to the village of Lanzerath where they discovered the paratroopers resting, awaiting daylight before making their next push. The village seemed deserted and sentries had not been posted. Peiper was furious and demanded that the paratroop colonel release one of his battalions to him to press on the assault. By the early morning of December 17th, Peiper reached the village of Bucholz which had been abandoned by the Americans. A little later they encountered resistance at Honsfeld by American fighter-bombers and ground troops. The Luftwaffe flak troops drove off the fighter-bombers but Peiper could not afford to waste time eliminating all the American defenders and left the paratroopers with a few tanks in support to seize the town. Peiper's objective was the American fuel dump at Buellingen, which he captured before the Americans could destroy the fuel stocks and was able to re-fuel his tanks which had become low on fuel due to the numerous delays and congested roads.

Peiper continued west until the road became impassable, a short distance from the town of Ligneuville; that detour compelled Peiper's units towards the Baugnez crossroads, near the city of Malmedy, Belgium. During Peiper's advance on December 17th, 1944, his armored units and half-tracks confronted a lightly armed convoy of about thirty American vehicles at the Baugnez crossroads near Malmedy. The troops, mainly elements of the American 285th Field Artillery Observation Battalion, were quickly overcome and captured. Along with other American prisoners of war captured earlier, they were ordered to stand in a meadow before the Germans opened fire on them with machine guns, killing 84 soldiers, and leaving their bodies in the snow. The survivors were able to reach American lines later that day, and their story spread rapidly throughout the American front lines.

In Honsfeld, Peiper's men murdered several other American prisoners. Other murders of POWs and civilians were reported in Bullingen, Ligneuville and Stavelot, Cheneux, La Gleize, and Stoumont on December 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th. On December 19th, in the area between Stavelot and Trois-Ponts, while the Germans were trying to regain control of the bridge over the Ambleve River (crucial for allowing reinforcements and supplies to reach them), men from Kampfgruppe Peiper killed a number of Belgian civilians. The battle group was eventually declared responsible for the deaths of 362 prisoners of war and 111 civilians.

Despite the eventual failure of Peiper's battle group and the loss of all tanks, SS-Oberfuhrer Wilhelm Mohnke recommended Peiper for a further award. The events at the Baugnez crossroads were described in glowing terms: "Without regard for threats from the flanks and only inspired by the thought of a deep breakthrough, the Kampfgruppe proceeded ... to Ligneuville and destroyed at Baugnez an enemy supply column and after annihilation of the units blocking their advance, succeeded in causing the staff of the 49th Anti-Aircraft Brigade to flee." Rather than a stain on Peiper's honor, the killing of POWs was celebrated in official records. In January 1945, the Swords were added to his Knight's Cross. The great fame of Peiper as a Waffen-SS commander during the Battle of the Bulge was born and so too the ignominious fate of the fearsome King Tiger.