1/35 Panzerwaffe steel cats (Pz.Kpfw.V Panther Ausf.D, Pz.Kpfw.VI Ausf.B King Tiger)

Before the Second World War the tank forces of the Third Reich (Panzerwaffe) were equipped mainly with light and medium tanks. The battles on the Eastern Front in 1941 showed that new types with powerful guns and thick armour were needed to counter Soviet tanks. Production of the Panther with the long 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 gun therefore began in early 1943; depending on the version it weighed 43 to 45.5 tonnes and was classed as either a medium or a heavy tank by different criteria. It also served as the basis for the Jagdpanther tank destroyer and the Bergepanther recovery vehicle.

In the winter of 1944 production began of the Pz.Kpfw.VI Ausf.B Königstiger, developed by Henschel under E. Aders. Heavy armour and a long 88 mm gun allowed it to hit Allied tanks at 2,000 m and beyond. It served with heavy tank battalions until the end of the war; 479 were built in 1944–1945.

The 410 × 260 × 55 mm box holds two complete kits: the Panther Ausf.D (418 parts) and a late production Königstiger (264 parts). The set works as a gift as well as for modellers who want both of the Wehrmacht’s “steel cats” side by side in the display case. Paints and glues required for assembly are not included.

Nationality: Germany. Period: World War II.