1:35 Sd.Kfz. 184 Ferdinand

Sd.Kfz.184 Ferdinand — 1:35, Zvezda

An injection-molded plastic kit of the German heavy tank destroyer Sd.Kfz.184 Ferdinand in 1:35 scale from Zvezda. The model captures the massive vehicle with its tall armored casemate and long gun. The box holds richly detailed plastic parts and decals for several finishes. Check the exact number of parts and the contents of the package on the box.

The real subject

The Ferdinand was a German heavy tank destroyer of the Second World War, created by converting the chassis of the unsuccessful Porsche design for the Tiger tank. A tall, heavily armored casemate with a long 8.8 cm anti-tank gun, able to destroy Allied tanks at long range, was built into the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle weighed around 65 tons and was first used in numbers at the Battle of Kursk in 1943. Its heavy armor was practically impenetrable from the front, but its weaknesses were its great weight, its unreliability and, on the first machines, the missing defensive machine gun, which left them vulnerable in close combat. After rearming and modification the vehicles were renamed Elefant.

Building and painting tips

Assemble and paint the running gear and the lower hull before you finish the casemate. Bond the parts with liquid cement for plastic. After the base coat (typically Dunkelgelb with green and brown oversprays) and a coat under the decals, bring out the detail with a wash and add dust, mud and metal rub with pigments; on the large surfaces of the casemate a fine color modulation comes into its own.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of German heavy equipment of the Second World War
• Those interested in heavy tank destroyers and in the subject of the Battle of Kursk
• Modelers with experience of building tracked vehicles in 1:35
• Lovers of patina and modulation on large surfaces

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.