Level 3 Model Kit Tiger I Early Version Tank "Operation Citadel" with 2 Scheme Options (Level 3) 1/35 Plastic Model Kit by Airfix

• Brand new plastic model kit of Tiger I Early Version Tank "Operation Citadel" with 2 Scheme Options (Level 3) 1/35 plastic model kit by Airfix.
• Brand new box.
• Vintage style packaging.
• Officially licensed product.
• Contains 200+ detailed parts.
• Does NOT include display stand.
• Paint and cement required (not included).
• Manufacturer's original unopened packaging.
• Parts molded in Light Brown, unless otherwise indicated.
• Includes decals to design the tank in 2 different schemes.
• Dimensions approximately L-9.48, W-4.01 inches assembled.

HISTORY ASPECTS:
The Tiger I Early Version, officially designated Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E, made its fearsome debut in late 1942. By the summer of 1943, it had become a central asset in Germany’s armored warfare strategy, especially during Operation Citadel, the German offensive at Kursk. This operation, launched in July 1943, marked the largest tank battle in history and was a crucial test for the early Tiger I in mass combat. Armed with the powerful 88mm KwK 36 L/56 gun, the Tiger I had unmatched firepower and heavy frontal armor that made it nearly impervious to most Soviet anti-tank weapons at medium to long range.
During the Battle of Kursk, Tiger I units such as the Schwere Panzer-Abteilung 503 and 505 were deployed to spearhead assaults through Soviet defensive lines. Despite their superior armor and guns, the Tigers faced overwhelming numbers of Soviet T-34s, heavily mined terrain, and layered defenses. In these grueling conditions, the Tiger’s mechanical reliability was put to the test. Though they inflicted significant losses, the slow advance and mechanical issues meant they could not achieve a breakthrough, and Operation Citadel ultimately failed, marking a turning point on the Eastern Front.
Nevertheless, the Tiger I’s performance in Kursk cemented its reputation as a battlefield legend. Even in failure, its ability to dominate enemy armor in head-to-head combat shaped future German tactics and Allied tank development. The early version, with its distinctive rubber-rimmed road wheels, vertical turret sides, and initial-style commander's cupola, became an icon of German engineering—feared and respected by friend and foe alike.
This 1:35 scale model captures every detail of the tank's imposing presence during the pivotal Kursk campaign. From accurately reproduced Zimmerit coating to authentic early-production features, this replica is perfect for history buffs and WWII modelers looking to bring the Eastern Front’s fiercest battles to life on the display shelf or diorama.