Meng Model 72010 - 1:72 German Heavy Tank Sd.Kfz. 182 King Tiger Porsche Turret

1:72 scale plastic model kit of the German heavy tank Sd.Kfz. 182 King Tiger (Porsche turret)

Meng 72010 is an assembly kit reproducing the German heavy tank Sd.Kfz. 182 King Tiger in its Porsche-turret variant. This distinctive, rounded turret was originally designed for the Porsche prototype and fitted to the first production batches of the King Tiger – on the same chassis used by the later, more common Henschel-turret version.

The model uses a modular design that simplifies and speeds up assembly while retaining detail. Despite the small 1:72 scale, the vehicle's silhouette is reproduced together with its powerful 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 gun. It is a convenient display format, appealing to beginners and collectors of German armour alike.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, turret and running gear (modular design)
• Waterslide decal sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Kit specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Catalogue number: 72010
• Manufacturer: Meng Model
• Assembled length: approx. 142 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

Thanks to the modular design, assembly is approachable and quick, making the model a good choice even for less experienced modellers. Because of the small scale it is worth working precisely on the smaller parts and using modelling tweezers. A typical King Tiger scheme uses a dark yellow base (Dunkelgelb) with patches of green and brown; details and recesses can be emphasised with a wash, and the whole finished with a matt varnish.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for smoothing sprue-gate marks
• Plastic cement
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes of various sizes or an airbrush
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to bring out the details

About the vehicle – Sd.Kfz. 182 King Tiger (Porsche turret):

The King Tiger (Tiger II) was the heaviest mass-produced German tank of WWII. It combined thick, sloped armour with a very powerful 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 gun, which made it an extremely dangerous opponent against the Allied tanks of the time. The first examples saw combat in the summer of 1944, including in Normandy.

The first production batches received the so-called "Porsche turret" – designed for the competing Porsche prototype, its rounded front nonetheless had a weak point in the form of a shot trap at its base. It was replaced on later vehicles by the redesigned Henschel turret. Despite its heavy armament and armour, the King Tiger was a heavy, fuel-hungry and unreliable vehicle, and its combat significance was limited by the small number produced.

Original vehicle specifications (Sd.Kfz. 182 Tiger II):

• Length with gun forward: approx. 10.3 m
• Width: approx. 3.76 m
• Height: approx. 3.09 m
• Combat weight: approx. 68–70 t
• Crew: 5
• Main armament: 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 gun
• Secondary armament: two MG 34 machine guns of 7.92 mm calibre
• Powerplant: Maybach HL 230 P30 petrol engine, approx. 700 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 38–41 km/h (road)
• Armour: hull front up to approx. 150 mm
• Production: 1943–1945, approx. 489 in total (of which the first approx. 50 with the Porsche-type turret)

About the manufacturer – Meng Model:

Meng Model is a Chinese model company founded in 2011 that quickly gained a strong market position thanks to modern tooling, good parts fit and a bold choice of subjects. The brand offers a wide range of models – from armoured vehicles and artillery, through aircraft, to motorcycles and a series of stylised cartoon models. In 1:72 scale Meng is developing a range of military vehicles with a modular design, conceived for quick and enjoyable assembly while retaining detail. Meng models are aimed at beginners and experienced modellers and collectors alike.