German - Porsche Tiger - VK 45.01(P)

The Porsche Tiger – VK 45.01(P) was Ferdinand Porsche’s competing design for the heavy tank that would eventually become the Tiger I, developed in 1941–42. It featured a distinctive gasoline-electric drive system, with twin engines powering generators that fed electric motors in the drive sprockets—an innovative but complex solution that proved unreliable and resource-intensive. Armed with the formidable 8.8cm KwK 36 L/56 gun and protected by heavy armour (up to 100mm frontally), the Porsche design matched the firepower and protection of the Henschel Tiger but suffered from severe mechanical problems, high fuel consumption, and difficulties in maintenance.

After comparative trials, the Henschel design was selected for mass production as the Tiger I, and only about 90 Porsche hulls were completed. Rather than scrap them, these chassis were converted into the Ferdinand/Elefant tank destroyers, which saw service at Kursk and later in Italy. Although the VK 45.01(P) never entered service as a Tiger tank, it remains a fascinating example of ambitious German engineering and a key chapter in the development story of Germany’s heavy armour.

Multi part resin model.

Printed by Imperator Models on License from Wargame 3D.