Forces of Valor German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank - "TIKI", "812", 8.Kompanie, 2.SS Panzer Division "Das Reich", April 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine] (1:32 Scale)

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German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank - "TIKI", "812", 8.Kompanie, 2.SS Panzer Division "Das Reich", April 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine] (1:32 Scale)

Forces of Valor German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank - "TIKI", "812", 8.Kompanie, 2.SS Panzer Division "Das Reich", April 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine]

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* Note: Includes a bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 engine enclosed in the packaging

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Product Code: FOV912043F

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Extended Information

Forces of Valor FOV912043F German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank - "TIKI", "812", 8.Kompanie, 2.SS Panzer Division "Das Reich", April 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine] (1:32 Scale) "The gun and armor of the Tiger were superb, making it in many ways the most formidable tank in service. Even so, it was poor in maneuver, it was slow, and its turret was a slow traverser in action. It was a tank which was, at its best, immobile in ambush, when its killing power was very frightening."
- Douglas Orgill, "German Armor"

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.

The Tiger differed from earlier German tanks principally in its design philosophy. Its predecessors balanced mobility, armor and firepower and were sometimes outgunned by their opponents.

While heavy, this tank was not slower than the best of its opponents. However, at over 50 tonnes dead weight, the suspension, gearboxes, and other such items had clearly reached their design limits and breakdowns were frequent if regular maintenance was not undertaken.

Although the general design and layout were broadly similar to the previous medium tank, the Panzer IV, the Tiger weighed more than twice as much. This was due to its substantially thicker armor, the larger main gun, greater volume of fuel and ammunition storage, larger engine, and a more solidly built transmission and suspension.

Pictured here is a 1:32 scale replica of an early production German Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E heavy tank that was nicknamed "TIKI" and attached to 8.Kompanie, 2.SS Panzer Division "Das Reich" during April 1943. Comes with bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 engine. Pre-order! Price and ship date to be determined.

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

Release Date: ?

Historical Account: "TIKI" - The Tiger named "TIKI" is well known because it was used in an award ceremony in April 1943. General Kruger, making a speech to his assembled troops, stood upon this Tiger and it was photographed several times.

"TIKI" was one of the first nine Tigers issued to the "Das Reich" division of the Waffen SS. In early February 1943, they were deployed to Kharoiv. The Germans retreated from the city only to take it back a month later;with "TIKI" having particpated in these battles. At this time, the tank was whitewashed and not yet named.

In the summer after the award ceremony, "TIKI" and the "Das Reich" division were to participate in Operation Citadel (the Battle of Kursk). "TIKI" had been named and renumbered twice by then, likely in accordance with Waffenamt regulations.