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 is proud to announce a magnificent 1/35 scale rendition of a Tiger I from 1./schwere Panzerabteilung 505 fighting in Nowe Koszary in 1944. It is a Late Production variant, with such associated features as steel road wheels, updated commander's cupola, and single headlight centrally located in the center of the hull front. The heavy tank unit schwere Panzerabteilung 505 was formed in January 1943. It was involved in the titanic tank battle at Kursk and returned to the Eastern Front after being refitted in July 1944. It saw combat in East Prussia in a vain attempt to stem the implacable tide of the Red Army.

This model tank is the result of painstaking craftsmanship, with even minute details carefully recreated. This is the advantage of the larger 1/35 scale, where even the tiniest of items can be shown in glorious detail. The model is topped off with a stunning two-tone paint scheme of green stripes over a yellow base coat. This Tiger I bears the famous 'charging knight on horseback' insignia of sPzAbt 505, this insignia being delicately rendered using the pad-painting process. A touch of color is also provided by a band of yellow on the base of the gun tube and the vehicle tactical number '334'. The model is expertly finished off with a tasteful level of dry-brushing and weathering, even down to its individual track links. For collectors seeking that something extra, this Tiger I from Dragon Armor will fit the bill! Comes with plastic display base. Sold Out!

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

Release Date: November 2007

Historical Account: "Knights in White Satin" - Schwere Panzerabteilung 505 was formed in January 1943. It was thereupon assigned to 9.Armee, which fought at Kursk. After Kursk, the unit was later attached to Heeresgruppe Mitte and fought at Smolensk. It was refitted with King Tiger tanks in September 1944, and fought alongside 24.Panzer-Division and 5.Panzer-Division in East Prussia until the end of the war.