1:35 38cm Assault Mortar Sturmtiger
Item #35177

DESCRIPTION
About the German 38cm Assault Mortar Sturmtiger

A very rare variant of the much feared Tiger I heavy tank, was
the "Sturmtiger" assault weapon that mounted a gigantic 38cm
caliber mortar on the tank chassis. Development was initiated in
August 1943 and was intended for uses against heavily fortified
areas. Th short barreled L/5.4, type RW61 mortar was originally
developed by Rheinmetall-Borsig, for the German navy's land-based
protection against an enemy submarine attack. In order to
withstand the heavy recoil of up to 40 tons, the Tiger I's sturdy
chassis was selected. A decision was made to use only those
chassis/hulls that were sent back from the front, so that new
production of the tank would not be affected. A fighting
compartment was formed of a boxlike superstructure which was
bolted to the lower hull itself. Its armor plate measured 150mm
thick at the front and 80mm on the sides. Later, a steel ring
counterweight was added to the mouth of the mortar barrel on some
vehicles to make elevation aiming easier. The mortar's huge self
propelled rocket projectile was 149cm long and weighed 330kg.
For loading these heavy rockets aboard, a hand cranked crane was
mounted to the right aft side of the upper hull. Due to the
rocket's size, storage space was very limited and only 14 shells
could be carried. Conversion production of the Sturmtiger began
in August 1944, and by the end of December a total of 18 units
had been completed and sent to the front for action during the
final stage of the conflict.