Fourth in the series of “Extreme Metal” vehicles released by Forces of Valour, this 1/16 Tiger I commemorates Michael Wittmann’s final battle near Cintheaux in 8th August 1944. The Tiger, 007, was the Battalion command vehicle, which had been assigned to Wittmann following the injury of Battalion commander SS-Sturmbannführer Heinz von Westernhagen.

This exquisite piece of die-cast engineering features a moving turret and cannon, hatches that open and close, and an engine section into which can be placed the detailed die-cast engine block. The vehicle has a fine “Zimmerit” paste finish, and is painted in the three-tone dark sand yellow, red-brown and olive green camouflage colour scheme adopted by the 101st Panzer Battalion during the summer of 1944.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyGXVjXIJK4&w=640&h=360]

This limited edition item comes with a number of accessories, including figures of Michael Wittmann and his four crew members. It comes complete with a guide sheet, an A3 poster, numbered certificate of production, and two brochures containing technical information on the Tiger I and the story of Michael Wittmann’s final battle in Normandy.

Both of the brochures that come with this model contain narrative provided by this author from this website.

Packaging, brochures and accessories

The selection of images below are of the 1/16 Forces of Valor “Wittmann’s Final Battle” Tiger I inside its packaging, as well as of the two brochures, poster, certificate and guide sheet. As well as the vehicle itself, there is a separate box containing the die-cast engine block, and a container containing the five crew figures and all of the fixtures and fittings to be attached to the hull.

To view a larger version of each image, just click the appropriate thumbnails.

The vehicle

The following selection of photographs show the Forces of Valor 1/16 Tiger I “007” with all of the accessories displayed, including the mud flaps, side skirts and command tank aerial. A number of the images illustrate the opening and closing hatches located on the hull and turret, the engine compartment with fitted engine block, and the commander’s cupola.

Vehicle and crew

The final selection of images show the Tiger and the five exclusive crew figures. Note that all of the figures do not contain their Waffen-SS insignia such as the Totenkopf on the caps or the SS Sigrunes – these will be added later by myself using standard modelling paints.