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.

Now The Motor Pool is proud to offer this stunning 1:35 scale diecast replica of SS-Unterscharfuhrer Wil Fey's PzKpfw VI Tiger Ausf E. heavy tank, regarded by many as the 'ace of aces'. This particular tank is handpainted in a gorgeous Norman camouflage scheme and overlaid with a coating of zimmerit anti-magnetic mine paste. The finished article even sports a series of "kill rings" painted along the length of the gun barrel. Figures not included. Sold Out!

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

Historical Account: "Ace of Aces" - On August 8th 1944, a single Tiger tank, commanded by SS-Unterscharfuhrer Wil Fey from the 1st Company of Panzerabteilung 102, engaged a British tank column, destroying some 14 out of 15 Shermans. Panzerabteilung 102 lost all of its Tigers during the fighting for Normandy but reported 227 Allied tanks destroyed during the six-week period.