Meng Model 72011 - 1:72 German Heavy Tank Sd.Kfz. 182 King Tiger Henschel Turret

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

Meng 72011 is an assembly kit reproducing the German heavy tank Sd.Kfz. 182 King Tiger in its Henschel-turret variant. This is the most common, production version of the King Tiger – with a redesigned flat-fronted turret that replaced the earlier Porsche turret and was free of its characteristic shot trap.

The model features new Henschel turret parts and 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 for beginners and collectors of German armour.

What's in the box:

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

Kit specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Catalogue number: 72011
• Manufacturer: Meng Model
• Assembled length: approx. 143 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:

The modular design makes assembly approachable and quick, also for less experienced modellers. In 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 (Henschel turret):

The King Tiger (Tiger II) was the heaviest mass-produced German tank of WWII, combining thick, sloped armour with a very powerful 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 gun. This let it engage enemy tanks at long range while remaining a difficult target for the anti-tank artillery of the time. The first examples saw combat in the summer of 1944.

The Henschel turret was the redesigned, production solution that replaced the earlier Porsche turret. It had a flat front without a shot trap and a better-arranged interior. The vast majority of King Tigers were built with this turret. Despite its heavy armament and armour, the vehicle was heavy, fuel-hungry and unreliable, and its influence on the fighting 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: Henschel turret front up to approx. 180 mm
• Production: 1943–1945, approx. 489 in total (most with the Henschel 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.