Tamiya 35295 - 1:35 Jagdtiger Early Production

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the German Jagdtiger tank destroyer (early production)

Tamiya 35295 reproduces the Jagdtiger (Sd.Kfz.186) – the heaviest mass-produced armoured vehicle of WWII. Built on the lengthened King Tiger chassis, it weighed over 70 tonnes and combined a powerful 12.8 cm gun with the exceptionally thick frontal armour of its fixed casemate, reaching up to 250 mm.

The model is made from new tooling, capturing the vehicle's massive shape and early-production features such as the spare track racks and jack. The 12.8 cm gun can be assembled in a recoiled position, and once the separately moulded casemate roof is removed, the detailed interior is revealed. The road wheel discs are separately moulded, adding depth to the detail.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with the lengthened hull and casemate parts
• 12.8 cm PaK 44 L/55 gun, which can be assembled in a recoiled position
• Detailed interior: gun breech, floor, ammunition racks
• Separately moulded road wheel discs
• Spare track racks and jack; gun travel lock (stowed or deployed)
• Two track types: vinyl belt and individual links
• Photo-etched parts for the engine air-intake mesh
• Two figures: commander and driver torsos
• Decal sheet for five marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35295
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: 301 mm, width: 107 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (detailed interior, link tracks, photo-etched parts)

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

Building the model:

Thanks to the excellent part fit typical of Tamiya, the model is approachable even for less experienced builders, despite its detailed interior. The interior parts are best painted before the casemate is closed up. The link tracks allow the sag effect to be reproduced, with the vinyl belt tracks as a faster alternative.

For painting, the “ambush” camouflage is recommended, combining dark yellow (RAL 7028) with patches of olive green (RAL 6003) and red brown (RAL 8017), matching all five marking options. Military vehicles are usually finished with a matt varnish, and the detail benefits from a wash.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Polystyrene cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for the photo-etched and metal parts
• Brushes of various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Optionally: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – Jagdtiger (Sd.Kfz.186):

The Jagdtiger was created as a heavy tank destroyer based on the lengthened King Tiger chassis. Its fixed casemate housed the powerful 12.8 cm PaK 44 L/55 gun, capable of destroying Allied armoured vehicles at ranges of over three kilometres. The casemate's frontal armour, reaching up to 250 mm, made it extremely difficult to penetrate.

The vehicle first saw combat during the Ardennes offensive in December 1944, and from early 1945 it fought mainly against Allied forces in western Germany. Its effectiveness was, however, limited by its great weight, drivetrain unreliability and the small number built – around 88 in total. Even so, at long range it remained a deadly opponent.

Original specifications (Jagdtiger Sd.Kfz.186):

• Length with gun: approx. 10.65 m
• Width: approx. 3.63 m
• Height: approx. 2.95 m
• Combat weight: approx. 75 t
• Crew: 6
• Main armament: 12.8 cm PaK 44 L/55 gun
• Secondary armament: 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun
• Powerplant: Maybach HL 230 P30 petrol engine, approx. 700 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 34 km/h (road)
• Range: approx. 120 km
• Armour: up to 250 mm (casemate front)
• Production: 1944–1945, approx. 88 examples

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. The company initially traded in timber, but from the late 1940s it produced wooden models, and in 1960 it launched its first plastic assembly kit. Two years later it introduced its iconic 1:35 scale tank, which set the worldwide standard scale for military modelling. The brand is renowned for exceptionally precise injection moulds and excellent part fit, which is why its kits are favoured by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this model belongs, comprises hundreds of items and is considered one of the most comprehensive 1:35 catalogues of military vehicles in the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling supplies: paints, glues, tools and brushes.