Panzerjäger Tiger (P) "Ferdinand"

This tank destroyer featured the the 8,8 cm PaK 43/1 L/71 gun in a fully-enclosed casemate-style mounting on top of a chassis Porsche designed during the trials for what became the Pz. VI Tiger I. The Nibelungenwerk firm of Austria produced 91 units between March and May, 1943. It was optimized for destroying Soviet T-34 tanks and 76.2 mm anti-tank guns from behind the front lines at a range of over 3 kilometres, a role which it performed well. Operated by a crew of six, the vehicle was relatively slow (it could achieve a top speed of 19 mph). The type first saw service at the Battle of Kursk, July-August 1943, during which mine damage, mechanical failures, and design flaws hampered its effectiveness. After 48 of the remaining 50 vehicles received upgrades from January to April 1944, the German military re-named them 'Elefant.' They then continued service in Italy and on the Eastern front. Measured in terms of its 10:1 kill-per-loss ratio, this type was the most successful mass-produced German tank destroyer of the war, due to its extreme firepower and protection. However, extreme weight (65 tonnes), poor mobility, and mechanical unreliability greatly diminished its operational capability. This unit represents all “Ferdinand” and “Elefant” variants.