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.

This particular 1:72 scale late production Tiger I Ausf. E heavy tank is slathered with a layer of zimmerit anti-magnetic mine paste and was attached to schwere SS Panzerabteilung 101, which fought at Villers Bocage, France in June 1944. Vehicle comes packed in an attractive display tin complete with a numbered certificate of authenticity. Sold Out!

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

Release Date: April 2005

Historical Account: "Home on his Shield" - Schwere SS Panzerabteilung 101 was formed in July 1943 around a cadre of units from 1.SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler, which was attached to I SS Panzerkorps Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler. The unit was attached to SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler and sent to Italy in August 1943. Two of the companies were then sent to the eastern front where they remained until April 1944. The unit was assigned to 12.SS Panzer Division Hitler Jugend in the spring of 1944 where it suffered heavy losses in the Battle for Normandy. It was refitted with King tanks in September 1944, and redesignated schwere SS Panzerabteilung 501. The unit fought in the failed Ardennes offensive before being sent to the Eastern front where it was eventually destroyed.