1/48 German Heavy Tank Tiger I Early Production

Towards the middle of WWII, the Wehrmacht was hard pressed on two fronts, facing tough fighting against the superior Soviet T34 and KV-I tanks in the East, and retreating in the face of the Allied offensive in North Africa. But in late 1942, German units were assigned a powerful new war machine that far surpassed the Pz.Kpfw. III and IV tanks: the Tiger I. Equipped with the awesome 88mm main gun, 100mm thick armor at the front, 80mm armor on the sides, and a 650hp Maybach engine, the Tiger I is widely considered to be the most powerful and sophisticated tank of its time. Henschel produced over 1,300 Tiger I heavy tanks during the period of the war, ranging from initial production to modified late production models. The approximately 200 models produced from November 1942 to June 1943 are characterized as early production models. Distinctive features of early production Tiger I tanks include the large cylinder shaped cupola with a smoke discharger and pistol ports on the turret. The Tiger I first saw action against the Soviets near Leningrad, and went on to serve with distinction on the Eastern, Western, Italian and African fronts, gaining the fear and respect of its Allied foes.