• 1/35 scale German Pz.Kpfw. VI Ausf. B Tiger II (Sd.Kfz. 182) plastic model kit by HobbyBoss (Kit No. 84558)
• Represents the Tiger II Porsche Early Production Vehicle, chassis number Fgst.Nr. 280009, an early example of Germany's famous King Tiger heavy tank
• Depicts the distinctive early Tiger II configuration featuring the rounded-front turret commonly known as the Porsche turret
• The early turret was designed by Krupp for the Tiger II programme and is often referred to as the Porsche turret because of its association with the Porsche-designed chassis proposal
• Features the characteristic curved turret front, prominent turret bulge and heavily sloped frontal hull armour
• The early turret design differed significantly from the later angular Henschel-style production turret
• Armed with the formidable 8.8cm KwK 43 L/71 main gun, one of the most powerful tank guns deployed during World War II
• The long-barrelled 88mm gun provided exceptional anti-tank firepower against Allied and Soviet armoured vehicles
• The historical Tiger II also carried 7.92mm MG 34 machine guns for defensive operations
• Protected by approximately 150mm of sloped frontal hull armour, providing substantial protection against contemporary anti-tank weapons
• The early rounded-front turret featured approximately 100mm of frontal armour, compared with the thicker frontal armour of the later production turret
• Powered by a Maybach HL 230 P30 V12 petrol engine, producing approximately 700 metric horsepower
• The original Tiger II weighed approximately 69 tonnes, making it one of the heaviest production tanks of WWII
• Features the characteristic wide tracks, large road wheels and substantial heavy tank chassis
• The Tiger II entered German military service in 1944, during the final stages of World War II
• Early Tiger II vehicles with rounded-front turrets were among the first examples deployed to operational heavy tank units
• Approximately 50 early-style turrets were manufactured before production transitioned to the revised turret design
• The rounded-front turret featured a distinctive curved lower front that could create an undesirable shot-trap effect under certain impact conditions
• The later production turret adopted a flatter frontal design with improved armour protection
• The Fgst.Nr. 280009 chassis designation makes this kit particularly interesting to enthusiasts of individual vehicle configurations and German tank production history
• The Tiger II was operated by specialised schwere Panzer-Abteilungen (heavy tank battalions) of the German Army and Waffen-SS
• Early Tiger II tanks participated in combat during 1944, including operations on the Eastern and Western Fronts
• Despite its exceptional firepower and protection, the Tiger II suffered from mechanical reliability problems, high fuel consumption and demanding maintenance requirements
• The Tiger II became one of the most recognisable examples of German heavy armour engineering
• 1/35 scale offers an excellent balance of display presence and modelling detail
• Ideal for collectors of WWII German tanks, early King Tigers, Porsche turret Tiger II variants and German heavy armour
• Excellent companion to Tiger I, Panther Ausf. A/G, Jagdtiger, Jagdpanther and later Henschel turret Tiger II model kits
• Particularly suitable for comparing the distinctive early rounded-front turret with the later angular production turret
• Suitable for 1944 German heavy tank battalion, Western Front and Eastern Front dioramas
• Offers excellent opportunities for historically inspired Dunkelgelb, Olivegrün and Rotbraun German camouflage schemes
• Appropriate for exploring Zimmerit anti-magnetic coating finishes associated with early-production Tiger II vehicles, subject to the specific vehicle's documented appearance
• Ideal for realistic mud accumulation, track wear, chipped paint, rust streaks, dust and battlefield weathering
• The curved turret surfaces and heavily armoured hull provide excellent opportunities for washes, highlights and subtle colour modulation
• A distinctive addition to any collection of German WWII military vehicles, Tiger tank variants and historical armour models
• Kit supplied unpainted and unassembled
• Glue and paint not included
• Recommended for experienced modellers aged 14+
