German heavy tank Tiger II King Tiger (KTV2) COBI 2686 - World War II 1:28

TIGER II KING TIGER (KTV2) | COBI^® 2686

The model of the German heavy tank in the KTV2 prototype version features a rotating turret with adjustable gun elevation, which can be easily removed to view the detailed interior with a fully equipped gunner's station. Under the rear hatch is a Maybach engine, which can be removed from the tank and displayed separately. Even the driver's compartment is accessible. On the left side of the hull, a shovel, steel tow cables, and track mounting rods are secured in brackets. On the right side are cables and a pry bar. An exquisite detail is the exhaust pipes with protective shields, exactly as known from surviving prototypes. The tank tracks are functional, allowing the model to roll smoothly. The tank commander's hatch with vision ports is also newly designed. 

Did you know that:

Ferdinand Porsche, a native of Vratislavice nad Nisou, was personally involved in the development and proposed a hybrid diesel-electric drive. However, Henschel's standard solution with a gasoline engine entered mass production. Several vehicles were fitted with an exceptionally high-quality and advanced optical gun sight, which allowed precise shooting even over long distances. The KwK 43 L/71 gun was capable of penetrating 180 mm thick armor at a distance of 500 meters.

The "King Tigers" were first deployed in August 1944 on the Eastern Front. Even though it was the most powerful tank of World War II, 11 vehicles were destroyed in combat or bogged down in mud during the first few days. The Königstiger found its equal only in the Soviet IS-2 tank, or in the Ardennes in the American M26 Pershing.

Production was so complex and expensive that the German economy simply could not produce more of them. Even on May 9, 1945, when the world was celebrating the end of the war, fighting was still ongoing in Bohemia near Třeboň. A group of three Tigers attempted to fight their way into American captivity, and one command Königstiger got stuck in a swampy meadow, where it became a local attraction for several weeks.

A total of 492 units were produced.

This particular vehicle depicted by the building set was built as one of three prototypes. The machine was used for testing and refining the configuration. As a result, it was never deployed in combat and has been preserved to this day. Today, you can view this restored vehicle at The Tank Museum in Bovington.

Technical specifications: 

• dimensions: length 10.29 m (7.38 m without gun), width 3.76 m, height 3.09 m
• weight 68,500 kg
• armor: front 185 mm, side 80 mm, rear 80 mm
• power unit: 23.1 l 12-cylinder gasoline engine Maybach HL230 P30 with an output of 515 kW
• maximum speed: 38 km/h on road and 15-20 km/h off-road
• fuel tank capacity 860 l
• operational range: 170 km on road and up to 120 km off-road
• main armament: 88 mm KwK 43L/71 gun
• secondary armament: 2x 7.92 mm MG 34 machine gun
• crew: commander + gunner, loader, driver, radio operator

From the memoirs of designer Karl Rabe:

"When the Reich Ministry of Armaments issued a new tender for the development of a heavy tank, Mr. Porsche ordered the work to begin that very evening. It went well. We systematically solved all issues, and Mr. Porsche was so egocentrically confident of success that he started the production of fifty units before a supplier was decided upon. On November 3, 1942, however, something unexpected occurred. At a meeting in Eisenach during the tank commission session, the Ordnance Office decided in favor of the rival proposal from Henschel. But our production was already running at full throttle. You can certainly imagine what a disaster that was. When F. Porsche returned to his office, he called us all in. In the following hours, we witnessed a bizarre spectacle. In a fit of rage, Porsche yelled at us for four hours while destroying the office furniture. None of us dared make a sound." 

About the COBI set:

• the COBI 2686 building set is made of 1,572 high-quality ABS parts
• number of figures 0
• collection World War II
• scale 1:28
• pad printed - no stickers
• authentic reproduction
• made in the EU
• compatible with other building block brands
• recommended age 10+