1/120 (TT) German VK 45.03 (H) Heavy Tank

1/120 (TT) Scale WW2 German VK 45.03 (H) Heavy Tank x1. Highly detailed tank with moveable Turret and accurate Track detail. Comes in 4 parts: Hull, Turret and Wheels/Tracks for both sides. Some assembly will be required.

Contains:

• 1x 1/120 (TT) German VK 45.03 (H) Tank

VK 45.03 (H)
The VK.45.03 (H) is the designation given to the first prototype of the infamous German Tiger II Heavy tank. In the autumn of 1943 the Henschel firm presented their proposal for a new heavy tank to succeed the Tiger I. The vehicle was to weigh 65 tons, with hull armor consisting of 100/80/80mm (front/sides/rear) and was to be equipped with a Porsche turret with front, side, and rear armor identical to that of the hull. The prototype was to be armed with an 8.8cm. Kwk. 43 L/71 main gun, mounted in a monobloc (single-piece) gun mantlet. The design was rejected as the Führer personally intervened to increase the frontal armor armor of the vehicle to 185mm; and the Weapons Department determined the rounded Porsche turret to be inadequate as the lower rounding could potentially cause shells to ricochet into the hull roof.

Development of the VK.45.03(H) began after the Führer conference on May 26, 1941. The conference decided that the German Army Weapons Department should speed up existing research and development programs on heavy tanks in the 30-45 ton weight class being carried out by Porsche and Henschel. At this time, the Weapons Department also instructed Krupp to an improved tank gun version of the famous 8.8cm. FlaK 41 anti-aircraft gun (the 8.8cm. KwK. 43 L/71). Development was hastened after the invasion of the U.S.S.R, due to the shock of the first combat encounters with the soviet T-34 and KV-1 tanks. At this point the goal was to create a vehicle with greater firepower and protection than any Soviet tank in existence, as well as any tank the Soviets might develop in the immediate future. By late 1942, Porsche had begun development on two vehicles, the VK.45.02(P) Ausf.A & VK.45.02(P) Ausf.B, however, development on these vehicles was eventually dropped as they used a similar transmission to the Tiger(P), which not only had been proven unreliable, but also required large amounts of copper, a resource in short supply by late 1942. In autumn 1943, Henschel presented their proposal for the new heavy tank designated Tiger H3. The vehicle was to weigh 65 tons, with hull armor consisting of 100/80/80mm (front/sides/rear) and was to be equipped with a Porsche turret with front, side, and rear armor identical to that of the hull. The prototype was to be armed with an 8.8cm. Kwk. 43 L/71 main gun, mounted in a monobloc (single-piece) gun mantlet. The design was rejected as the Führer personally intervened to increase the frontal armor armor of the vehicle to 185mm; and the Weapons Department determined the rounded Porsche turret to be inadequate as the lower rounding could potentially cause shells to ricochet into the hull roof. Although no prototypes of the original design were produced, the first 50 Tiger II tanks produced would be equipped with existing Porsche turrets.

Cleaning Information
Some part cleanup will be necessary. The 3D printing process uses a waxy substance to support certain part features during the printing process. Although the parts are cleaned by Shapeways, some waxy residue may remain.  It can be safely removed with water and a mild aqueous detergent like "Simple Green" using an old, soft toothbrush, Q-tips or pipe cleaners. During the printing process, liquid resin is cured by ultraviolet light. Microscopic bits of resin may remain uncured.

Let your parts sit in direct sunlight for a few hours to fully cure the resin.  
Water-based acrylic paints meant for plastics is strongly recommended. Other paints, especially enamels, may not cure on Frosted Detail 3D-printed plastics.
Use dedicated model sprue cutters to remove parts to minimise the risk of damage to parts.
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