The Tiger I was a German heavy tank produced during World War II. Its powerful main armament and thick armor earned it a reputation as one of the most feared tanks on both the Eastern and Western Fronts.
Development of the tank had begun as early as 1937, but it gained significant momentum in mid-1941 following the invasion of the Soviet Union. Series production began in August 1942 and continued until August 1944, when production was discontinued in favor of the Tiger II. The Tiger I was technically complex — its production took roughly twice as long and required considerably more resources than that of other German tanks of the period. A total of 1,355 vehicles were produced.
The model depicts one of the earliest Tigers produced. Tank number 100 was completed in early August 1942. It lacked the standard stowage bin mounted on the rear of the turret, instead featuring distinctive stowage bins bolted on the sides of the turret. The tank was sent to the Leningrad Front for combat trials in late August 1942 and was eventually captured intact by Soviet forces in January 1943. The model can be placed in the September–October 1942 timeframe.
