1/72 Sd.Kfz.182 Kingtiger Henschel Turret, Berlin 1945

Weighing 68 tons, Germany’s Kingtiger tank entered combat service in mid-1944. It was an impressive vehicle, and being the final tank design to enter production during WWII, it could be seen as the pinnacle of German tank design. The most common version had the angular Henschel turret that eliminated the frontal shot trap of the original Porsche turret. The Kingtiger was armed with an 8.8cm KwK 43 L/71 gun and its frontal armor was up to 180mm thick. This formidable fighting machine was embroiled in the final Battle of Berlin, a conflict that raged from 20 April to 2 May 1945. Soviet units remorselessly pummeled the German capital to finally bring the war in Europe to an end. A handful of Kingtigers were involved in this final battle. Every one of them was lost defending the crumbling heart of the Third Reich.

Dragon Armor has launched a fantastic 1/72 scale model of a Tiger II fighting in the Battle of Berlin. The model is a Henschel Production version with the appropriate turret. The late-war “ambush” camouflage scheme features red-brown and sand-yellow colors, and it is accurately painted in miniature. In keeping with its late-war use, this model Kingtiger is devoid of any tactical markings. This model Kingtiger, backed into a corner in the final act of war in Europe, is a masterpiece of detail and painting.