Sd.Kfz.182 King Tiger
Henschel Turret w/Zimmerit

This kit is a modified release of the earlier King Tiger with Henschel Turret (kit 7246) by Dragon. (Never mind that the earlier kit has a higher kit number.) The main difference is the replacement of some parts by Zimmerited equivalents and the introduction of DS tracks.

The upper hull is very similar to that of kit 7246, but with Zimmerit and without tools on the hull side. There were complaints about molded on tools on the earlier kit, and the ones on the top of the hull still are, but this time you get no tools at all on the sides of the hull. Neither molded on, neither separate. I should check if this is historically accurate.
The holes that were present in the bottom of the hull (for the ready-built display model) are no longer there, though the shafts for the screws still are. They won't be visible after assembly, though.
The radio operator's hatch is molded as a separate piece. You will find a screw alignment hole inside the hatch opening, which can be removed; alternatively it might provide a base for a crew member's bust. The driver's hatch is molded onto the hull, though a spare hatch is provided if the modeler chooses to carve it away and open up the hull. (The replacement hatch is not mentioned in the instructions and is marked as "not for use".)
A flat insert is provided to go beneath the engine deck and allow some engine detail to be visible beneath the ventilation gratings. The main engine access hatch is molded as a separate piece, but I don't feel the flat engine would be convincing enough if you leave the hatch open.

The nose plate has also been replaced by a Zimmerited part. All the Zimmerit looks very nice by the way, with the typical irregularities of the real thing.

The turret is similar to that of kit 7246, but with Zimmerit and without hangers for spare tracks. The latter are now separate parts (see below).
The turret is very well done and offers a couple of options, like different types of ventilator cover, and two types of gun mantlets.
All turret hatches are separate, including the rear loading hatch.

Sprue C (the largest on the picture above) is identical to the sister-kit. I can't understand why Dragon offers two identical ball-mounts for a King Tiger, but given that you even get a third one (Zimmerited) for this kit, you will have some to add to the spare's box.

The sprue carrying the wheels is identical to that of the earlier release, and is still very nicely done.

The picture above shows the parts which are specific to the Zimmerited kit:
- New spare tracks with integrated hangers;
- Zimmerited parts for rear hull, ball mount, turret front and rear turret hatch.

The fenders ought to have been the same as in kit 7246, but are not. In my kit they were clearly marked "JAGD", and are too long. Obviously someone put the parts of the Jagdtiger kit into this box. (The fenders in kit 7246 that Doug Chaltry reviewed were marked "KING".) Well, it's better than the other way around and it's not that difficult, I guess, to cut off a centimeter or so from the last section of the fenders.

The PE fret is obviously the same as in kit 7246, as it is marked as such. It's very nicely done.

Whereas kit 7246 still had black vinyl tracks, this kit now has DS tracks, but apart from the color and material they look quite similar. You like them or you don't, but mine are slightly warped, which makes them less likable.

Parts not marked for use in this kit are:
- an MG 34 (you get two identical MG34s in the kit);
- a lot of spare track sections;
- some non-Zimmerited parts, like MG ball mounts, rear hull plate, ... (see scans of the manual);
- tow shackles, which are provided twice.

The instructions in this kit are of the picture type, which some people detest, but I don't believe they will pose any problems with this kit.
While I've heard people claiming they are of a plastic model under construction, I actually believe they are computer generated (CAD) images.

You get five marking options, but for most of the options, you will have to guess how the camouflage scheme goes on the sides that are not shown.
The options are:
- s.Pz.Abt.101, Belgium, 1944. Yellow 111. Three-tone; 4-view; This is more than likely s.SS.Pz.Abt.101 (political correctness, I fear), but even then it is not correct as by the time of the Battle of the Bulge it was renamed s.SS.Pz.Abt. 501. It could represent a vehicle before the name-change that was just passing through Belgium of course.
- s.Pz.Abt.506, Andler, 1944, Red 214. Three-tone; single side view;
- s.Pz.Abt.501, Germany, 1944. Dark yellow and green; single side view;
- s.Pz.Abt.501, Eastern Front, 1944. Three-tone; single side view;
- s.Pz.Abt.503, Hungary, 1945. Whitewash; single side view; by this time the unit was actually renamed s.Pz.Abt. Feldherrnhalle
- s.Pz.Abt.506, Germany, 1945. Three-tone; single side view.

Nu unit markings are provided, just Balkenkreuze and turret numbers.

Article Last Updated: 11 October 2010