First Legion, Ltd.
Item Number: KUR010
German Panzerjager "Ferdinand" 5th Co 654 PzJgAbt 656 PzReg., The Battle of Kursk, 1943
The German Ferdinand tank destroyer played a notable but ultimately limited role in the Battle of Kursk in July 1943, one of the largest tank battles in history. Officially designated the Panzerjäger Tiger (P), the Ferdinand was heavily armored and mounted a powerful 88mm Pak 43/2 gun, capable of destroying Soviet tanks at long range. However, its performance at Kursk revealed significant flaws: it lacked a machine gun for close defense and was plagued by mechanical failures and mobility issues. These deficiencies made it vulnerable to Soviet infantry, especially in the dense terrain and fortified defensive belts. While the Ferdinand could decimate enemy armor from a distance, many were lost due to mines, mechanical breakdowns, and close-quarters attacks. Despite its powerful gun, the Ferdinand's shortcomings in reliability and adaptability limited its effectiveness and led to later modifications, eventually resulting in the improved Elefant variant.
The model is made from a mixed media (resin, metal, plastic, brass, photo etch, etc...) and has the following features:
- 4 x Opening & Closing Hatches
- Gun Barrel Raises and Lowers
- Extremely realistic weathering and superb sculpting and painting
- Tow Cables
60mm 1/30th Scale Hand Produced Vehicles for collectors from the World War II product range.
THE BATTLE OF KURSK
The Battle of Kursk, fought from July 5 to August 23, 1943, was a pivotal engagement during World War II and marked the largest tank battle in history. Located in the Kursk salient in western Russia, it involved massive confrontations between the Soviet Red Army and Nazi Germany's Wehrmacht. The battle began with a German offensive, Operation Citadel, aimed at encircling and destroying Soviet forces. However, the Soviets, forewarned and heavily fortified, repelled the attack with a robust defense and counterattacks. The battle saw the largest concentration of tanks, with thousands on each side, and was marked by fierce combat and extensive use of artillery and aircraft. The Soviet victory at Kursk not only thwarted the German strategic ambitions, but also marked the beginning of a sustained Soviet offensive that would eventually push the Axis forces back towards Berlin.
60mm 1/30th Scale Hand Produced Vehicles for collectors from the World War II product range.
First Legion Toy Soldiers are hand painted collectibles that contain various metals including lead and are therefore not suitable for children. Further, as each figure is hand painted, slight variations may exist between the figure shown in the photo and the actual figure received.
Released in MAY 2025.
