German Sturmmörser Tiger mit 38 cm RW 61 (Italeri)

This is the Italeri 0299 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Sturmmörser Tiger mit 38 cm RW 61’.

German Sturmmörser Tiger mit 38 cm RW 61

History

During World War II the German Army had to combat frequently fortified positions or urban defense centers. Due to tactical reason – the troops were at short distance to the enemy lines – artillery and air support could not be engaged.This led to the development of the “Sturm” version of the “Tiger” heavy tank. Onto the heavy-duty chassis the efficient and unique 38 cm mortar was mounted, which had a short range but enormous fire power.

Only few units of the Sturmtiger were built and were mainly used in 1994 at the Eastern front.

Source: Italeri website

Manufacturer

German Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. F1/F2 (Early version) (Italeri)

This is the Italeri 6514 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. F1/F2, early version’.

German Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. F1/F2, early version

History

The Panzer IV was the most extensively used German tank during the Second World War. It represented the “backbone” of the German Panzer Divisions on all operational theaters.The production of Panzer IV Ausf. F, started in 1941, marked a decisive boost in the evolution of the tank. It featured an improved armor on the turret and hull.

The first version of Panzer IV F, featuring the traditional 7.5 cm. KwK 37 short-barreled cannon, were not able to fight successfully against the Soviet T-34 and KV-1 heavy armoured tank.The adoption of the anti-tank design KwK 40 long-barreled cannon, on the Ausf. F2 version, has decisively increased the Panzer IV effectiveness against enemy tanks.

Thanks to its new high velocity and high penetration gun, the Panzer IV became, once again, “lethal” on the battlefields.

Source: Italeri website

Manufacturer

German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger I – Hybrid (Italeri)

This is the Italeri 6487 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger I – Hybrid’.

German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger I - Hybrid

History

During the last years of the war, the Germans, to make up for their scarce production output, reconditioned vehicles that were worn-out by the war use.

Period photos show that at the moment of Germany’s defeat, many vehicles had been collected in factories, and were ready to be put back in operation by replacing worn-out or combat-damaged parts. Reliable sources confirm that the last Tigers to come out of assembly lines were reconstructed with salvaged materials: 54 hulls and 32 turrets of the first series, possibly from tanks used in training units.Their wheels were replaced by the latest, full-metal ones, and on some tanks the anti-magnetic “Zimmerit” paste was applied directly in the factory. These tanks were assigned to training schools to form new crews.

In the last weeks of war, they took part in the last engagements of the various Kampfgruppe (combat groups formed with units coming from different detachments) that were trying to stop the Allied units swarming over Germany from East and West.

Source: Italeri website

Manufacturer