Tamiya 35325 - 1:35 Sd.Kfz.184 Elefant

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the German Sd.Kfz.184 Elefant tank destroyer

Tamiya 35325 reproduces the Sd.Kfz.184 Elefant – a German heavy tank destroyer. In 1943, based on a Porsche prototype with a gasoline-electric drive, the Ferdinand tank destroyer was created, armed with the powerful 8.8 cm PaK 43 L/71 gun in a large, box-shaped casemate. In 1944, 50 surviving vehicles were rebuilt, adding a hull machine gun and a commander's cupola, and were re-designated Elefant.

The model is made from new tooling, based on extensive study, capturing the characteristic box-shaped superstructure and the long-barrelled gun. The kit includes thoughtfully engineered track sections and three figures, allowing an impressive, display-ready model to be built.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull and box-shaped casemate
• 8.8 cm PaK 43 L/71 gun
• Hull machine gun and commander's cupola (features of the Elefant variant)
• Tracks assembled from sections
• Three figures
• Decal sheet for three marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35325
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 233 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (tracks in sections, large model)

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. The track sections allow their run and sag to be faithfully reproduced. The figures are best painted separately before being placed on the vehicle and in the scene.

For painting, a camouflage combining dark yellow with patches of olive green and red brown is recommended, matching the chosen marking option. Military vehicles are usually finished with a matt varnish, and the detail and recesses benefit from a wash and dry-brushing.

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)
• 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 – Sd.Kfz.184 Elefant:

The Elefant's history began in 1941 with a Porsche prototype featuring an innovative gasoline-electric drive. In 1943 the design was transformed into the Ferdinand tank destroyer, armed with the 8.8 cm PaK 43 L/71 gun mounted in a large, box-shaped casemate; 90 were built. During the Battle of Kursk, the Ferdinands showed excellent effectiveness in destroying T-34 and KV-1 tanks at long range, but their low speed and unreliability caused many to be immobilised.

In 1944, 50 surviving vehicles were upgraded, adding a hull machine gun and a commander's cupola among other things, and were re-designated Elefant. The vehicles fought on the Italian and Eastern fronts, some until the very end of the war, including the fighting for Berlin. The thick frontal armour made the Elefant an extremely difficult target.

Original specifications (Sd.Kfz.184 Elefant):

• Length with gun: approx. 8.14 m
• Width: approx. 3.38 m
• Height: approx. 2.97 m
• Combat weight: approx. 65 t
• Crew: 6
• Main armament: 8.8 cm PaK 43 L/71 gun
• Secondary armament: 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun (Elefant variant)
• Powerplant: Maybach petrol engines with gasoline-electric transmission
• Maximum speed: approx. 30 km/h (road)
• Armour: up to 200 mm (casemate front)
• Production: 90 Ferdinand examples (1943), 50 rebuilt as Elefant (1944)

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.