Product Features and Details
Artitec 87.030 Highlights:
Model: Artitec's 87.030 Henschel TIGER II w/ anti-magnetic-mine coating is a Resin kit and is unpainted.
Prototype: The Tiger II or Königstiger (King Tiger) is undoubtedly the greatest representative of German armored might from the Second World War and a favorite subject of model enthusiasts around the world. Known officially as the Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. B, the Tiger II combined the thick armor of the Tiger I with the sloping sides of the Panther. It mounted the powerful Krupp 88 mm KwK 43 L/71 gun which could penetrate 132 mm of armor at 2,000 m and achieved 86% target accuracy at the same range. The Tiger II’s hull and turret fronts were protected by 150 mm and 180 mm of armor respectively making it nearly impervious to frontal attack, forcing Allied tanks to make flanking attacks and yielding tactical initiative to Tiger IIs. Like the Tiger I, the Tiger II’s superior armor and armament resulted in a very heavy weight, low top speed, and low range, all limiting the tank’s maneuverability and operating radius. More Tiger II losses were attributed to mechanical unreliability caused by poor late-war materials and construction as well as running out of petrol than were losses due to combat. A complex design, only 492 Tiger IIs were built before the end of the war. Despite its shortcomings, it is worth noting that there is no evidence of a Tiger II being knocked out from the front during the war.
