The King Tiger, officially designated Sd.Kfz. 182 and also widely known as the Tiger II or Königstiger, was Germany’s ultimate wartime heavy tank. Combining the thick armour philosophy of the Tiger I with the sharply sloped armour design seen on the Panther, the King Tiger created one of the most formidable and intimidating armoured vehicles of the Second World War.
With its massive profile, heavy protection and long-barrelled 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 gun, the King Tiger quickly became one of the most famous late-war German tanks and remains a standout subject for collectors, diorama builders and military modellers.
This model captures the unmistakable shape of the King Tiger, including its broad hull, heavily armoured turret, interleaved road wheels, long main gun and distinctive late-war German heavy tank silhouette. It makes an impressive display piece on its own and an ideal centrepiece for larger WWII armoured scenes.
The story behind the King Tiger
The King Tiger was developed as a more powerful successor to the Tiger I. German designers wanted a heavy breakthrough tank with stronger armour and greater long-range firepower, capable of engaging enemy armour before it could effectively respond.
Introduced in 1944, the King Tiger entered service during the later stages of the war and fought in some of the conflict’s most intense battles, including the Eastern Front, Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge.
Its sloped frontal armour made it extremely difficult to penetrate from the front, while its powerful 88 mm gun could knock out enemy tanks at long ranges. On paper and in direct combat, it was one of the most dangerous tanks of the war.
But like many late-war German heavy vehicles, it came with major drawbacks. The King Tiger was extremely heavy, mechanically demanding, fuel-hungry and difficult to recover if knocked out or disabled. Its battlefield power was undeniable — but keeping it moving was often half the battle.
What made the King Tiger so feared?
The King Tiger brought together three major strengths:
Heavy armour protection
Long-range anti-tank firepower
Strong psychological impact
Its powerful 88 mm gun was among the best tank guns of the war, capable of defeating most Allied armour at long distances. Its thick frontal armour made it a serious threat in defensive positions and long-range engagements.
To Allied soldiers, the appearance of a King Tiger often meant trouble. Even when only a small number were present, their reputation alone could influence the mood of a battlefield.
Turret styles and production notes
King Tigers are also well known among modellers for appearing with two turret styles during production.
Early vehicles used the so-called Porsche turret style, while most later vehicles used the more common Henschel turret design. These differences give modellers useful variation depending on the exact version they want to display.
Whichever version is chosen, the King Tiger remains one of the most visually striking German AFVs of the war.
Perfect for dioramas
The King Tiger is ideal for scenes such as:
late-war German defensive positions
muddy forest roads
Battle of the Bulge settings
Eastern Front armour deployments
ambush or overwatch scenes
maintenance and repair depots
railway transport scenes
retreat and last-stand dioramas
fuel and ammunition resupply points
ruined villages or countryside road movements
It pairs extremely well with German tank crew, infantry, supply trucks, fuel drums, ammunition crates, motorcycles and support vehicles.
Available scales
1:87 HO1:76 OO1:721:481:35
Custom scaling may also be available.
Finish options
Unpainted & Cleaned – supplied in detailed resin, cleaned and ready for your own painting and finishing.
Grey Primed – prepared with a neutral grey primer, ideal for hobbyists wanting a ready-to-paint surface.
Base Colour – supplied with an appropriate historical-style base colour, ready for camouflage, markings and weathering.
Fun Fact
Despite its fearsome reputation, the King Tiger was so heavy that it could be almost as dangerous to German logistics as it was to the enemy. Bridges, recovery vehicles and fuel supply all became major concerns. In other words, owning the battlefield was one thing — actually getting there was another.
Model highlights
Highly detailed late-war German heavy tank based on the iconic King Tiger / Tiger II design. Perfect for WWII dioramas, wargaming, display collections, model railways and scale modelling projects.
A true centrepiece vehicle for any late-war German armoured collection.
Designed and produced in Australia by Blueprint to Print 3D.
If you want, I can also do a shorter product-page version and a fun fact box version for the website.
