In order to counter the increasing threat of Russian tanks during the latter part of the Second World War, Germany began development of a new heavy tank in February 1943. Officially designated the Panzerkampfwagen VI-B Tiger II, but better known as the King Tiger, it featured thick armor and a powerful main gun. Henschel and Porsche, who had prior experiences in the manufacturing of heavy tanks, came up with rival prototypes incorporating different turret configurations. After trials, the Henschel design was adopted for production. The King Tiger carried the Type 43 L71, 88mm high velocity main gun which was capable of penetrating 170mm thick armor plate at a distance of 1000 meters. Auxiliary armament included two 7.92mm machine guns mounted on the front hull section and on the turret. The extremely thick armor on the turret front measured 185mm and 88mm on the side panels. Power for this massive tank was supplied by a Maybach HL230 P30 V-12 cylinder, liquid cooled engine, producing 700 horsepower. The King Tiger went into mass production at the Henschel factory beginning August 1944, following the delivery of the last Tiger I tanks. Although the tank possessed advanced technology and sophistication, only 430 units incorporating the Henschel turret came off the factory line, and less than 500 total were ever available for combat.
Shipping & Delivery
Access Models offers efficient delivery services within the UK and overseas, aiming to dispatch orders within 48 hours of receipt, contingent on payment confirmation. Standard UK deliveries are conducted via Royal Mail, typically arriving within 2-3 days, though customers are advised to allow up to 5 days. For expedited deliveries, the express service ensures next-day delivery for orders placed before 1pm, with specific provisions for orders placed over the weekend or on bank holidays.
Shipping charges vary based on the order value and destination. UK standard shipping costs range from £4.99 to £7.99, with additional surcharges for heavy items and non-mainland UK destinations, including specific regions like Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey, and Jersey. We do not ship to PO Boxes and BFPO addresses.
For heavy, bulky, or restricted items such as large model kits and items containing hazardous materials, special shipping considerations apply. International shipping starts at £18, with varying costs and delivery times based on destination zones. Access Models does not ship to certain countries including Spain, USA, and Australia.
Customers may encounter customs fees on international orders, which are not included in our shipping costs and are the responsibility of the customer. In case of postal losses or damage, claims may take up to 30 days to process, and we require customer confirmation to initiate this process.
Returns are accepted within 14 days for change of mind and 30 days for faulty items, in line with the EU Distance Selling Directive. Access Models offers repair, exchange, or refund for eligible returns, excluding faults due to misuse or wear and tear. Customers are responsible for return postage costs, except in cases of damage or fault. Refunds are issued in accordance with the returns policy, excluding opened packages unless they are faulty.
