The Ferdinand was a heavy tank destroyer (self-propelled) used by German anti-tank units during World War II. Ninety-one units were built in 1943 under the name Ferdinand (after its designer Ferdinand Porsche using VK 45.01 (P) tank hulls which had been produced for the Tiger I tank before the competing Henchel design had been selected.
Following their use at the battle of Kursk, in January to April 1944 the surviving Ferdinands received modifications and upgrades. They were renamed Elefant in May 1944. The official German designation was Panzerjäger Tiger (P) Sd.Kfz.184.
The kit
DML # 6495 Premium edition with Masterclub tracks and Eureka cables. Ferdinand kit review
This a fantastic kit that was released during Dragon Models golden age of premier series armour releases. Released in 2012 it includes a metal barrel, a comprehensive fret of photo-etch including track guards, as well as all manner of toolboxes and fixings. The tracks are of the non-workable individual link type.
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Although both the hull tub and casemate are large single moulding's the detail is sharp and the welding marks throughout look very natural. Disregarding the typically busy instructions it also builds up really well.
The drivers vision block armoured cover is available in plastic and PE but as there is no partitioning panels between the blocks included in the PE version, I used a combination of both. All the handles were replaced with brass rod.
The drive sprocket was glued in place but to aid track fitment the idler wheel is able and left to rotate. I purchased my first set of Masterclub tracks for this project and although the detail is good it was apparent during a test run sample that the resin pins do have a nasty habit of all to easily falling out!
Decals offered cover vehicles taking part in Operation Citadel in 1943, and are offered for Pz.Jg.Abt. 653, all Numbers and Pz.Jg.Abt. 654, all Numbers.
As for the paint job, the majority of Ferdinands received a dark green spiderweb type camo scheme which was very distinctive. As all Ferdinands would have likely arrived by transport at the rail bridgehead's still in their factory applied single dark yellow base coat, I quite like the idea of the vehicle sitting abandoned on the damaged railcar, thus remaining in its factory scheme.
Chapter 2
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