{"product_id":"german-elefant-heavy-tank-destroyer-1-48-model-kit-by-tamiya","title":"German Elefant Heavy Tank Destroyer 1:48 Model Kit by Tamiya","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel Features\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuild one of the most heavily armed and armoured tank destroyers of the Second World War with the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTamiya German Elefant Heavy Tank Destroyer 1:48 Model Kit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This highly detailed kit accurately recreates the formidable Elefant, featuring finely moulded plastic parts, realistic surface detailing and authentic German Army markings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScale: 1:48\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eManufacturer: Tamiya\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVehicle: German Elefant Heavy Tank Destroyer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFinely detailed plastic parts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetailed fighting compartment and suspension\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthentic German Army decal options\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIllustrated assembly instructions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAssembly required\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGlue and paints not included\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat's in the Box\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlastic model kit parts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDecal sheet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIllustrated assembly instructions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistory of the Original Vehicle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Snapshot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElefant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was a German heavy tank destroyer developed during the Second World War from the unused chassis of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePorsche Tiger\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e prototype. Originally introduced as the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFerdinand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in 1943, the vehicle was designed to mount the exceptionally powerful \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e8.8cm PaK 43\/2 L\/71\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e anti-tank gun, one of the most effective anti-tank weapons of the war.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Ferdinand first saw combat during the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBattle of Kursk\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFollowing 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 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElefant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Elefant served primarily on the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEastern Front\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, where its long-range firepower proved highly effective against Soviet armour. A small number were later deployed to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eItaly\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOnly around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e90 Elefants\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease Note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SCH Models","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60215056826702,"sku":"32589","price":25.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1051\/3360\/5198\/files\/32589_1.jpg?v=1784987937","url":"https:\/\/schmodels.co.uk\/products\/german-elefant-heavy-tank-destroyer-1-48-model-kit-by-tamiya","provider":"SCH Models","version":"1.0","type":"link"}