Code: FV-802001A Price: $119.95 Status: Almost Sold Out Quantity in Cart: none
Forces of Valor Inside Out Series 802001A Sd.Kfz.181 Sturmtiger Diecast Model German Army, Prototype, Arys Proving Ground, East Prussia, Prototype Presentation, October 1943, w/2 Figures
Sturmtiger (Assault Tiger) was a World War II German assault gun built on the Tiger I chassis and armed with a 380mm rocket-propelled mortar. The official German designation was Sturmmorserwagen 606/4 mit 38 cm RW 61. Its primary task was to provide heavy fire support for infantry units fighting in urban areas. The few vehicles produced fought in the Warsaw Uprising, the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of the Reichswald. The fighting vehicle is also known by various informal names, among which the Sturmtiger became the most popular.
The idea for a heavy infantry support vehicle capable of demolishing heavily defended buildings or fortified areas with a single shot came out of the experiences of the heavy urban fighting in the Battle of Stalingrad in 1942. At the time, the Wehrmacht had only the Sturm-Infanteriegeschutz 33B available for destroying buildings, a Sturmgeschutz III variant armed with a 15 cm sIG 33 heavy infantry gun. Twelve of them were lost in the fighting at Stalingrad. Its successor, the Sturmpanzer IV, also known by Allies as Brummbar, was in production from early 1943. This was essentially an improved version of the earlier design, mounting the same gun on the Panzer IV chassis with greatly improved armour protection.
While greatly improved compared to the earlier models, by this time infantry anti-tank weapons were improving dramatically, and the Wehrmacht still saw a need for a similar, but more heavily armoured and armed vehicle. Therefore, a decision was made to create a new vehicle based on the Tiger tank and arm it with a 210 mm howitzer. However, this weapon turned out not to be available at the time and was therefore replaced by a 380 mm rocket launcher, which was adapted from a Kriegsmarine depth charge launcher.
In September 1943 plans were made for Krupp to fabricate new Tiger I armored hulls for the Sturmtiger. The Tiger I hulls were to be sent to Henschel for chassis assembly and then to Alkett where the superstructures would be mounted. The first prototype was ready and presented to Adolf Hitler in October 1943. Delivery of the first hulls would occur in December 1943, with the first three Sturmtiger completed by Alkett by 20 February 1944.
Due to delays, Hitler did not request production of the weapon until 19 April 1944; twelve superstructures and weapons would be prepared and mounted on rebuilt Tiger I chassis. The first three production series Sturmtiger were completed by Alkett in August 1944. Plans to complete an additional seven from 15 to 21 September 1944 were presented to Hitler in a conference on 18-20 August 1944. Ten Sturmtiger were produced in September, along with an additional five in December 1944.
Please note: An optional Metal Track Upgrade set is available separately to further increase the realism of this model.
Production of the Tiger began in August 1942, and by August 1944 1,355 of these tanks had been built. The 88mm main gun was the most powerful anti-tank gun in use by any army. The superior mobility of Allied tanks allowed them to attack from behind or from the side in the hope of taking a Tiger down. The influence of Tiger tanks on allied morale grew to almost mythical proportions, and was known as "Tigerphobia." Tigers destroyed tremendous amounts of enemy equipment and often just the sight of a Tiger would induce the Russian tankers to withdraw.
The Waltersons "Forces of Valor Inside Out Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military vehicles in 1:32 scale featuring rich interior detail. This series has been developed to showcase both the exterior as well as the interior detail of an armored fighting vehicle, bringing collectors inside the vehicle to ogle all of its working parts. Where applicable, each crew station has been accurately modelled, from the ammunition stowage racks and ordnance lining the sides of the vehicle, to the weapons and other important gear typically found within a combat vehicle.
Waltersons "Forces of Valor Inside Out Series" diecast vehicles feature:
Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
Rotating turret, elevating cannon and accurate hull.
Moving tracks on detailed rotating wheels.
Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
