Takom 2046 – 1/35 King Tiger Sd.Kfz.182 Porsche Turret Full Interior with Zimmerit

Le Takom 2046 King Tiger (Sd.Kfz.182) with Porsche Turret est un 1/35 scale model kit of the early-production variant of the legendary German heavy tank, the Tigre II. This version features the distinctive Porsche turret, designed with a rounded shape but prone to manufacturing challenges and shot traps. Takom’s kit offers an impressive level of detail, including full interior components, making it a standout choice for modelers seeking both accuracy and depth.

Caractéristiques principales:

• Échelle: 1/35, perfect for collectors and diorama builders.
• Accurate Representation of the Porsche Turret:
• Features the unique rounded turret shape characteristic of the Porsche design.
• Realistic surface textures, including weld lines, casting marks, and riveting details.
• Full Interior Details:
• Comprehensive interior components, including the fighting compartment, driver’s area, and turret.
• Features internal details such as ammunition racks, radio equipment, crew seating, and transmission systems.
• Realistic engine compartment with detailed Maybach HL230 engine and cooling systems.
• Highly Detailed 88mm KwK 43 L/71 Gun:
• Includes internal gun breech and recoil mechanism.
• Movable gun elevation for dynamic positioning.
• Chenilles et suspensions utilisables:
• Individual-link track system for realistic sag and customization.
• Fully articulated suspension for accurate terrain adaptation.
• Pièces photodécoupées (PE):
• Includes fine details such as engine grilles, clamps, and tool mounts for enhanced realism.
• Fonctionnalités de construction facultatives:
• Open or closed hatches for display flexibility.
• Side skirts can be installed or omitted to reflect field modifications.
• Accessories and External Details:
• Includes external stowage items like tow cables, spare track links, and pioneer tools.
• Realistic fender and armor details for a battle-worn or factory-fresh look.
• Options de marquage et de décalcomanie:
• Multiple historical marking options, including units deployed on the Eastern and Western Fronts.
• High-quality decals ensure sharp and accurate markings.
• Manuel d'instructions:
• Clear and detailed assembly instructions with color-coded painting guides.
• Includes camouflage patterns based on historical references.

Conclusion:

Le Takom 2046 King Tiger with Porsche Turret is a highly detailed and accurate kit that offers both interior and exterior features. Its full interior and realistic construction options make it an engaging and rewarding project for advanced modelers and enthusiasts of WWII armor. This kit is a perfect representation of one of the most iconic and formidable tanks in history.

King Tiger Porsche:

Le Roi Tigre, or Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. B Tiger II (Sd.Kfz.182), was one of the most formidable tanks of World War II. The version equipped with the Porsche turret, although produced in smaller numbers than the later Henschel turret variant, represents a key stage in the evolution of this iconic heavy tank. Designed to combine unmatched firepower with thick armor, the King Tiger with the Porsche turret was a fearsome presence on the battlefield, though not without its drawbacks.

Conception et fonctionnalités

Le Porsche turret was the original turret design intended for the Tiger II. It featured a rounded, curved front with a prominent shot trap—a design flaw that could deflect incoming shells downward into the tank’s hull. Despite this, the turret offered robust protection, with frontal armor measuring 100mm to 180mm thick, and side armor of 80 mm. Its rounded shape, while elegant, was more complex to manufacture than the later Henschel design, contributing to its limited production.

The primary weapon of the King Tiger was the Canon de 8,8 cm KwK 43 L/71, an upgraded version of the legendary German 88mm cannon. This long-barreled gun delivered exceptional muzzle velocity, allowing it to penetrate over 200 mm de blindage à 1 000 mètres, making it highly effective against Allied tanks such as the Sherman Firefly, IS-2, and T-34/85. The tank carried up to 86 tours of ammunition and was also equipped with two Mitrailleuses MG 34 de 7,92 mm for close defense.

The tank was powered by a Moteur Maybach HL 230 P30 V12, delivering 700 chevaux. Despite its immense weight of nearly 68 tons, it could reach speeds of 38 km/h (24 mi/h) on roads. However, its size and weight made it challenging to maneuver in urban or rough terrain, and its drivetrain and suspension were prone to mechanical failures.

Utilisation opérationnelle

The Porsche turret King Tigers first appeared in mid-1944, deployed with heavy tank battalions (Division de chars légers). Their thick armor and powerful gun made them effective in defensive roles and long-range engagements, such as in Normandy and on the Eastern Front. However, their mechanical complexity, slow production, and vulnerability to logistical issues limited their overall battlefield impact.

Héritage

The King Tiger with the Porsche turret symbolizes both the ambition and the challenges of late-war German tank design. Though less common than the Henschel turret variant, it remains an enduring example of the era’s engineering prowess and the technological race that defined World War II.