Designated the VK 4501 project, Germany issued a requirement for a 45-ton vehicle sporting a lethal 88mm anti-tank gun. One stipulation was that the prototype needed to be completed in time for Hitler’s birthday on 20 April 1942. Dr. Ferdinand Porsche was so convinced that he would win the contract that he proceeded to build 90 turrets and hulls of his chosen design. In the event, however, he did not win! Nevertheless, his chassis was modified into a tank destroyer by Alkett and the resulting 65-ton vehicle was named Ferdinand in honor of its designer. The Ferdinand had its combat debut at the titanic Battle of Kursk that took place in July 1943. Upwards of 8,000 tanks participated, but the Ferdinand’s debut was less than spectacular because of mechanical unreliability and the lack of a machine gun to defend against enemy infantry attack.
Dragon has just released a fantastic Premium Edition kit of a Ferdinand. This 1/35 scale kit has received a number of exciting modifications to bring it completely up to date and to suit it for the harsh realities of combat at Kursk in 1943. These include a wide selection of photo-etched metal parts such as complete fenders and toolboxes. There are also additional metal components such as tow cables and an aluminum barrel for the long 8.8cm PaK 43/2 L/71 cannon. Of special note are completely new Magic Tracks. Not only do they ensure maximum convenience and ease of assembly for modelers, but they match the exact type used on the Ferdinand during its first action. High-quality Cartograf decals also allow model-makers to accurately depict one of the Ferdinands from s.Pz.Jg.Abt.653 or s.Pz.Jg.Abt.654 fighting at Kursk. Join the battle with this new kit from Dragon!
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