1/35 Operation Ochsenkopf Tiger

Limited numbers of Tiger Is were sent to the heat and sand of Tunisia to attempt to stem the tide of the Allied advance. These tanks belonged to the independent heavy tank battalion s.Pz.Abt.501. After it had been formed in May 1942, it was dispatched to support the Afrika Korps.

The battalion’s first Tiger Is landed in Tunis on 23 November 1942, and the Tiger I proved deadly in the North African fighting overall. One engagement in which a total of 14 Tiger Is participated was known as Unternehmen Ochsenkopf (Operation Ox Head) at Sidi Nsir in Tunisia. The battle, the last major Axis offensive in North Africa, took place from 26 February till 4 March 1943, although Germany eventually called off the over-ambitious attack because of increasing troop and tank losses.

What makes this kit special is the fresh research conducted by Tiger I expert David Byrden, who provided new technical information about the Tiger Is deployed in North Africa, including those fighting in Operation Ochsenkopf.

Its new configuration includes new-tooled parts like upper hull, optional sprocket wheel, optional ammunition boxes on the optional Panzer III turret stowage bin, optional mantlet. Also, spare track links are stowed on the front of the tank hull with a new brackets. In addition, it's upgraded with Magic Tracks. The decals include the distinctive slinking tiger emblem that was added to many tanks.

All in all, this is a magnificent 1/35 scale Tiger I from the North African theatre.