"We must do everything we can to promote anti-tank defense, and work just as hard to guarantee successful counter-attacks through the instrument of powerful tank forces of our own."
- Major-General Heinz Guderian, "Achtung Panzer!"
The Elefant (Elephant) stemmed from the Porsche design for the PzKpfw VI Tiger. Henschel was awarded the contract for the new tank, but it was decided to use the Porsche design as a tank destroyer. Hitler demanded that the new vehicle be ready for the 1943 offensive on the Russian front, so development was rather hurried. As a result, many broke down to their first action at the Battle of Kursk, and the lack of proper armor and ponderous mobility made them easy targets for Soviet gunners in the battle. In addition, the lack of machine guns meant that there was no defense against Soviet troops disabling them with explosive charges in close-quarter combat. The survivors were withdrawn to Italy, where unreliabilty and lack of spares ensured their continued ineffectiveness.
This is the special edition Elefant heavy tank destroyer deployed with the schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 653. In this version the gun is attached to the travel lock. Sold Out!
Dimensions:
Length: 5 inches
Width: 2.25 inches
Release Date: June 2004
Historical Account: Schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 653 was activated as a Sturmgeschutz unit - the 197th - then converted to the Ferdinand (later Elefant), and finally to the even more massive Jagdtiger in 1945. |
