German Elefant Heavy Tank Destroyer 1:48 Model Kit by Tamiya

Model Features

Build one of the most heavily armed and armoured tank destroyers of the Second World War with the Tamiya German Elefant Heavy Tank Destroyer 1:48 Model Kit. This highly detailed kit accurately recreates the formidable Elefant, featuring finely moulded plastic parts, realistic surface detailing and authentic German Army markings.

With Tamiya's renowned engineering and exceptional fit, this kit offers an enjoyable building experience for WWII armour enthusiasts, military vehicle collectors and diorama builders alike.

Specifications

• Scale: 1:48
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Vehicle: German Elefant Heavy Tank Destroyer
• Finely detailed plastic parts
• Detailed fighting compartment and suspension
• Authentic German Army decal options
• Illustrated assembly instructions
• Assembly required
• Glue and paints not included

What's in the Box

• Plastic model kit parts
• Decal sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

History of the Original Vehicle

Historical Snapshot

The Elefant was a German heavy tank destroyer developed during the Second World War from the unused chassis of the Porsche Tiger prototype. Originally introduced as the Ferdinand in 1943, the vehicle was designed to mount the exceptionally powerful 8.8cm PaK 43/2 L/71 anti-tank gun, one of the most effective anti-tank weapons of the war.

The Ferdinand first saw combat during the Battle of Kursk in July 1943. Its powerful gun was capable of destroying Soviet tanks at ranges far beyond those of most contemporary armoured vehicles, while its exceptionally thick frontal armour made it almost immune to direct attack from the front. However, early combat experience exposed several weaknesses, including the absence of a hull-mounted machine gun and limited visibility, making the vehicle vulnerable to close-range infantry attacks.

Following Kursk, surviving vehicles were returned to Germany for extensive modifications. A bow-mounted MG34 machine gun was added, the commander's cupola was improved and various reliability upgrades were introduced. After these improvements, the vehicle was redesignated as the Elefant.

The Elefant served primarily on the Eastern Front, where its long-range firepower proved highly effective against Soviet armour. A small number were later deployed to Italy in 1944, where they supported German defensive operations against advancing Allied forces. Despite its formidable combat capabilities, the Elefant's immense weight of around 65 tonnes restricted its mobility and made recovery difficult if it became immobilised.

Only around 90 Elefants were produced, making them one of the rarest German armoured fighting vehicles of the war. Despite their limited numbers, they earned a reputation as some of the most powerful tank destroyers ever fielded during the conflict. Today, the Elefant remains an iconic example of German wartime engineering and a favourite subject among military historians and scale modellers.

Please Note

This is a plastic model kit and requires assembly. Glue, paints and modelling tools are sold separately. Due to the small parts and detailed assembly involved, this kit is recommended for experienced beginners and above.