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.

Dragon Armor has produced a fine 1:35 scale model of a Tiger I from this famous unit. The fully assembled and finished model is a Late Production variant of a tank fighting in Normandy during 1944. A notable aspect of this model is the Zimmerit coating reproduced in exacting detail, this item being the first 1/35 Tiger I with Zimmerit in the Dragon Armor range. To enable the depiction of Zimmerit, a completely new turret, upper and lower hull were produced. The Zimmerit is expertly crafted, representing as good a finish as only skillful modelers could achieve. The model is finished in an overall three-color camouflage finish, and this has been carefully painted onto the vehicle, which is itself an accurately dimensioned and detailed replica of the original tank. This Zimmerit coating adds a new look to an already popular tank, and contributes to an aggressive and attractive subject from the Normandy theater. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 10-inches
Width: 4-inches
Height: 4-inches

Release Date: October 2008

Historical Account: "Heavy Losses" - Schwere SS Panzerabteilung 102 was formed in October 1943 and was attached to II SS Panzerkorps. It was sent to Normandy, where it fought the western Allies and suffered heavy losses. It was refitted with with the Tiger II (Koningstiger) tanks in September 1944 and redesignated Schwere SS Panzerabteilung 502. It was attached to Heeresgruppe Mitte and sent to the Eastern front in March 1945.