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.

Now Forces of Valor has crafted a marvelous 1:32 scale diecast replica of the late version PzKpfw VI Tiger Ausfuhrung E heavy tank. This stunning recreation features a rotating turret, elevating gun, opening hatches, and vinyl tracks! This particular Tiger was attached to schwere Panzerabteilung 505 and painted in a stunning winter camouflage pattern that has been slathered with a layer of distressed zimmerit anti-magnetic mine paste. Comes bundled with all sorts of battlefield accessories. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 10-1/4-inches
Width: 4-1/2-inches
Height: 3-1/2-inches

Release Date: July 2004

Historical Account: "Last of a Breed" - Schwere Panzerabteilung 505 was formed in January 1943. Thereafter, it was assigned to 9.Armee which fought at Kursk that summer. After Kursk it was later attached to Heeresgruppe Mitte which was tasked with fighting a delaying action at Smolensk. In September, the unit was refitted with Tiger II (Koningstiger) tanks then tasked with defending East Prussia alongside the 24.Panzer and 25.Panzer Divisions. It was eventually destroyed by overwhelming odds in yet another Soviet assault.