Hobby Master 1/56 Ground Power Series HG0103 - Tiger I Early Production Tank No. S33, PzReg 2, USSR 1943 |
Hobby Master Ground Power Series 1-56 scale
Presents this German Tiger I Tank (Early Production). One of the deadliest tanks of
WWII, making it feared by all who came in contact with them. There never were more
than approximately 200 early production Tiger I's produced between November 1942 -
June 1943. Early production Tiger I's had very distinctive features such as large round
tube like cupola. Other distinctive features were pistol ports in the turret and smoke
launchers.
Presents this German Tiger I Tank (Early Production). One of the deadliest tanks of
WWII, making it feared by all who came in contact with them. There never were more
than approximately 200 early production Tiger I's produced between November 1942 -
June 1943. Early production Tiger I's had very distinctive features such as large round
tube like cupola. Other distinctive features were pistol ports in the turret and smoke
launchers.
| These (scale: 1/56) die-cast model tanks are loaded with features. These models duplicate every detail of the full sized Tiger I. All these features make these models very sought after by collectors from around the world. Features: Die-Cast Model with minimal plastic True to Scale (1:56) Size: 114.3mm not including cannon - 152.4mm including cannon x 66.04mm x 53.54 mm ( 4.5in. not including cannon - 6in. including cannon x 2.6in. x 2.1in. ) Highly detailed features Weathering, cables, tools and insignia Painted in accurate colors Markings Tampo applied Fully assembled Rubber tracks Individual moving wheels Turret turns Main gun can be elevated |
The Battle at Kursk took place in July 1943 with the German code name of “Operation
Zitadelle” (Citadel). It was the largest tank battle in the history of mankind with over
5,000 tanks and assault guns belonging to Germany and the USSR. Not only at Kursk
but while there was an Eastern Front this elite Waffen-SS Tiger unit, schwere Panzer-
Kompanie 8./SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 of the 2nd SS-Panzer Division known as “Das
Reich” played a major role in some of the fiercest and bloodiest encounters during this
portion of WWII.
One more unique marking on this tank was the Chinese Kanji character for good luck.
What made it so unusual was the tank crew had applied it upside down. This seemed to
have worked, at least until 1944 when the luck ran out and S33 was destroyed.
In September of 1943 the German Army was in retreat and this tank and others from
“Das Reich” were called upon to carry out a delaying action against advancing Soviet T-
34s. This was a fierce and costly clash but without it the German Army probably would
have been annihilated.
During WWII the German company Henschel made over 1300 heavy Tiger I’s that
include the original “Early” through “Mid’ and “Late” production versions. About 200
“Early” versions of the tank were made before moving on to the next. A couple of the
most distinctive features of the “Early” Henschels were the inclusion of pistol ports and
smoke dischargers.
Zitadelle” (Citadel). It was the largest tank battle in the history of mankind with over
5,000 tanks and assault guns belonging to Germany and the USSR. Not only at Kursk
but while there was an Eastern Front this elite Waffen-SS Tiger unit, schwere Panzer-
Kompanie 8./SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 of the 2nd SS-Panzer Division known as “Das
Reich” played a major role in some of the fiercest and bloodiest encounters during this
portion of WWII.
One more unique marking on this tank was the Chinese Kanji character for good luck.
What made it so unusual was the tank crew had applied it upside down. This seemed to
have worked, at least until 1944 when the luck ran out and S33 was destroyed.
In September of 1943 the German Army was in retreat and this tank and others from
“Das Reich” were called upon to carry out a delaying action against advancing Soviet T-
34s. This was a fierce and costly clash but without it the German Army probably would
have been annihilated.
During WWII the German company Henschel made over 1300 heavy Tiger I’s that
include the original “Early” through “Mid’ and “Late” production versions. About 200
“Early” versions of the tank were made before moving on to the next. A couple of the
most distinctive features of the “Early” Henschels were the inclusion of pistol ports and
smoke dischargers.
Historical Background:
This tank belonged to SS-PzReg 2 "Das Reich", East Front USSR 1943.
# S33, a large "S" (for schwere meaning "heavy") preceeded the two digit numbers on
"Das Reich" Kursk Tigers. A couple of unique “Das Reich” Tiger I tank markings found
on all of the regiments tanks that fought at Kursk. The first is the little dancing gnome like
creature called “Dancing Devil” found on each side towards the front of the turret. The
second tactical symbol used at Kursk to provide quick “friend or foe” identification were
two white vertical bars sitting on one horizontal bar. These were painted, one on the left
rear fender and one on the front right.
The first encounter with the Tiger I’s came in August of 1942 around Leningrad where
the first 4 Tigers didn't do so well. They went into battle in single file and the huge
machines were driven over swampy land. All 4 were soon disabled but not because
anything had penetrated the thick armor. 3 of the tanks were salvaged and tactical
lessons were learned. With the addition of more Tiger I’s, a much better understanding of
when, where and how to use the new tanks, by the end of 1942 Tigers were causing
fear and sheer panic whenever Allied forces engaged them. There even was a name
given to this, “Tigerphobia”. It was so bad that British General Montgomery forbid any
battle reports from mentioning the Tiger I’s accomplishments in the field. These tanks
were the most powerful tanks in the world at that time.
This tank belonged to SS-PzReg 2 "Das Reich", East Front USSR 1943.
# S33, a large "S" (for schwere meaning "heavy") preceeded the two digit numbers on
"Das Reich" Kursk Tigers. A couple of unique “Das Reich” Tiger I tank markings found
on all of the regiments tanks that fought at Kursk. The first is the little dancing gnome like
creature called “Dancing Devil” found on each side towards the front of the turret. The
second tactical symbol used at Kursk to provide quick “friend or foe” identification were
two white vertical bars sitting on one horizontal bar. These were painted, one on the left
rear fender and one on the front right.
The first encounter with the Tiger I’s came in August of 1942 around Leningrad where
the first 4 Tigers didn't do so well. They went into battle in single file and the huge
machines were driven over swampy land. All 4 were soon disabled but not because
anything had penetrated the thick armor. 3 of the tanks were salvaged and tactical
lessons were learned. With the addition of more Tiger I’s, a much better understanding of
when, where and how to use the new tanks, by the end of 1942 Tigers were causing
fear and sheer panic whenever Allied forces engaged them. There even was a name
given to this, “Tigerphobia”. It was so bad that British General Montgomery forbid any
battle reports from mentioning the Tiger I’s accomplishments in the field. These tanks
were the most powerful tanks in the world at that time.
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