DRAGON 1/72 60459 Sd.Kfz.181 Sturmtiger German Army 1001st Sturmmorser Kompanie, Bonn, Germany, 1945

Only 18 such Sturmtigers were converted by Alkett at its Berlin-Spandau plant from August to December 1944. They were mainly used in the defense of Germany, and this is the case with Dragon Armor’s latest 1/72 scale incarnation of the 38cm RW61 auf Sturmmörser Tiger. This Sturmtiger model is based on a vehicle from Sturm-Mörser-Kompanie 1001 that fought in the vicinity of Bonn in 1945. This unit was established on September 23 1944, with its final engagement being on the east bank of the Rhine in early 1945 as German forces retreated. The accurately detailed model wears a three-color camouflage scheme of green and red-brown over a sand-yellow base. Interestingly, the lower parts of the model show traces of white, probably the last vestiges of a hastily applied coat of winter whitewash. The expertly painted and weathered model is fully detailed, and it’s sure to be a big hit with collectors of German armor! Sd.Kfz.181 Sturmtiger 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.