Landkreuzer P.1000 Ratte (Germany) 1/285 (Qty. 1)

The Landkreuzer P. 1000 "Ratte" (English: Land Cruiser P. 1000 "Rat") was a design for a super-heavy tank for use by Nazi Germany during World War II, proposed by Krupp director Edward Grotte in June 1942, who had already named it "Landkreuzer". Submitted designs and drawings of the tank went under the names OKH Auftrag Nr. 30404 and E-30404/1, which were presented in December 1942. The tank was planned to be 1000 metric tonnes, being far heavier than the Panzer VIII "Maus", the heaviest tank ever built (weighing 188 tonnes). The project gained the approval of Adolf Hitler, who had expressed interest in the development of the tank. However, its huge size would have resulted in destruction of roads and bridges if it were to travel on them, but could cross rivers because of its height of 11 metres (36 ft). Further problems included its general ground pressure and vulnerability to enemy aircraft and artillery, and the project was canceled by Albert Speer in early 1943, with no prototype tank ever built.