Name: Pz.Kpfw.VI Ausf.E Sd.Kfz.181 Tiger I w/ Zimmerit (med Prod.) 1:35 Model Kit by Trumpeter
Brand: SCH Models
SKU: TRU09539
Price: 41.99 GBP
Availability: InStock

Pz.Kpfw.VI Ausf.E Sd.Kfz.181 Tiger I w/ Zimmerit (med Prod.) 1:35 Model Kit by Trumpeter

£41.99

Model Features

1:35 scale plastic model kit
Accurately represents the German Pz.Kpfw.VI Ausf.E Sd.Kfz.181 Tiger I Medium Production with Zimmerit, one of the most iconic heavy tanks of the Second World War
Detailed representation of the mid-production Tiger I featuring historically accurate production modifications
Includes moulded Zimmerit anti-magnetic mine coating for a realistic factory-applied finish
Highly detailed hull and turret with realistic armour plate texture, weld lines, and surface details
Accurately reproduced 8.8cm KwK36 L/56 main gun with detailed gun mantlet and muzzle brake
Detailed mid-production turret featuring the improved smaller commander’s cupola
Accurately reproduced overlapping rubber-rimmed road wheels and suspension components
Detailed engine deck, exhaust covers, tools, tow cables, and external fittings
Individual track links included for realistic track sag and positioning
Detailed lower hull and running gear components
Includes photo-etched parts for enhanced scale realism
Multi-slide moulded hull and turret components for improved accuracy
Waterslide decal sheet featuring authentic German WWII marking options
Precision-moulded parts suitable for advanced detailing and weathering techniques
Ideal for German WWII heavy armour collections, Eastern Front displays, or Tiger I diorama projects.

Specifications

Brand: Trumpeter
Scale: 1:35
Subject: German Pz.Kpfw.VI Ausf.E Sd.Kfz.181 Tiger I Medium Production with Zimmerit
Material: Injection-moulded plastic
Skill Level: Suitable for intermediate to advanced modellers
Paint & Glue Required: Yes (sold separately)
Recommended Age: 14+
Kit Number: 09539
Parts: 550+
Photo-Etched Parts: Included
Track Type: Individual track links
Zimmerit: Included
Model Length: Approximately 242mm
Model Width: Approximately 105mm
Sprues: 16 sprues including upper hull and lower hull components

What's in the Box

Plastic sprues
Detailed upper and lower hull components
Mid-production Tiger I turret assembly
8.8cm KwK36 L/56 main gun components
Detailed suspension and running gear
Individual track links
Factory-applied Zimmerit detail
Engine deck and exhaust components
External tools and vehicle equipment
Photo-etched detail parts
Waterslide decal sheet with German WWII markings
Illustrated assembly instructions

History of the Original Vehicle

The Pz.Kpfw.VI Ausf.E Tiger I, designated Sd.Kfz.181, was one of the most feared armoured vehicles of the Second World War. Designed as a breakthrough heavy tank, the Tiger I combined exceptional firepower, heavy armour protection, and advanced engineering to create a vehicle capable of defeating enemy tanks at long range.

Development of the Tiger I began in response to the increasing threat posed by heavily armoured Soviet vehicles encountered during Operation Barbarossa in 1941. German forces encountered tanks such as the T-34 and KV-1, which demonstrated superior armour protection compared with many existing German tanks. This led to the development of a new heavy tank capable of restoring German battlefield superiority.

The Tiger I entered service in 1942, initially seeing combat during the fighting in North Africa and later on the Eastern Front. It was armed with the highly effective 8.8cm KwK36 L/56 gun, adapted from the successful German 88mm anti-aircraft weapon. This gun provided excellent penetration capability and allowed Tiger crews to engage enemy armour at distances beyond the effective range of many opposing tanks.

The medium production Tiger I represented an improved stage of development compared with earlier vehicles. Produced during 1943, these tanks incorporated numerous reliability and manufacturing improvements, including a redesigned commander’s cupola, improved turret features, and revised external fittings.

Many medium-production Tiger Is were fitted with Zimmerit, a textured anti-magnetic coating applied to German armoured vehicles from 1943 until late 1944. The coating was designed to prevent enemy troops from attaching magnetic mines to the vehicle’s armour. Although magnetic mines were rarely used against German tanks, Zimmerit became a distinctive feature of many WWII German armoured vehicles.

Powered by the Maybach HL210 or later HL230 V12 petrol engine, the Tiger I delivered strong performance despite its considerable weight. Its thick armour and powerful gun came at the cost of high fuel consumption, complex maintenance requirements, and difficult transportation.

The Tiger I served with elite German armoured units including the s.Pz.Abt.501, s.Pz.Abt.502, and other heavy tank battalions. It was deployed across major campaigns including the Battle of Kursk, defensive battles on the Eastern Front, and fighting in Normandy following the Allied landings in 1944.

Although the Tiger I gained a reputation for battlefield dominance, it was not invincible. Its mechanical complexity, limited production numbers, and high maintenance requirements restricted its strategic impact. Allied forces increasingly developed effective tactics and weapons capable of defeating the Tiger, particularly through numerical superiority and combined arms operations.

Approximately 1,350 Tiger I tanks were produced between 1942 and 1944. Despite its relatively small numbers, the vehicle became one of the most famous tanks in military history due to its powerful armament, heavy protection, and reputation among Allied forces.

The Tiger I remains a highly popular subject among military modellers due to its distinctive appearance, technical significance, and important role in WWII armoured warfare. The medium-production Zimmerit-equipped variant represents one of the most recognisable forms of this legendary German heavy tank.