COBI Building Set HC WW2 38 cm Sturmmörser Sturmtiger (COBI-2585)

Product detailed description

Building set of the German rocket launcher Sturmtiger RW61 AufS. in field camouflage. The model is equipped with a loading arm for rocket missiles, an opening hatch in the rear wall of the turret, and under the removable cover is a Maybach HL 230 engine. Inside the tank turret is a loader's holder. The package includes a figure of a German soldier-mechanic, a set of 3 Hohladungsgranate rockets, and a block with a description.

Number of figures: 1 pc
Dimensions when assembled: 23 x 13 x 13.5 cm
Scale: 1:28
Box dimensions (packaging): 45 x 30 x 7 cm
Number of blocks: 1100 pcs
Package weight: 1340 g
Recommended age: 9+
Blocks can be combined with another well-known brand: Yes
Material: Plastic
Collection: World War II

Interesting facts:
The history of the Sturmtiger begins on September 20, 1942. After the experiences from the Battle of Stalingrad, it was clear that the German army lacked means to destroy heavily fortified bunkers.
In September 1943, designers from the Krupp company came up with the idea to combine a 380 mm rocket launcher for warships with the chassis of a heavy tank Tiger I.
The start of production was subject to the approval of Hitler himself. The first three production units were completed by the ordered company Alkett in August 1944.
The Führer was thrilled and ordered that at least 300 rockets be produced monthly for these machines.
The massive RW 61 rocket launcher was mounted on a massive spherical bearing with a fixed closure. If you wonder why there are regularly spaced holes in the barrel wall, know that their purpose was absolutely crucial.
The rocket created a pressure of 40,000 kg on the breechless closure during launch, and the only way to prevent the machine from being destroyed during firing was a double-walled barrel with an exhaust. 
Two types of rockets were used for firing, Sprenggranate 4581 and Hohladungsgranate 4582 for the heaviest targets with a penetration of up to 2.5 m of reinforced concrete.
Loading the rocket launcher was not easy. Each rocket, 150 cm long and weighing 350 kg, had to be loaded into the machine by a crane.
The ammunition magazines inside the Sturmtiger could hold a total of 12 rounds, and one more could be stored directly in the barrel. Loading the machine took the crew several hours.
Even firing was not easy. The shell was loaded into the barrel using an internal crane and with the help of a special tool that helped rotate the heavy shell so that it fit precisely into the barrel grooves.
The Sturmtiger gunner needed one special tool for a successful hit. A thermometer. The ambient temperature had a significant impact on the burning speed of the rocket fuel, which affected the range. The colder it was, the shorter the range.
The rocket fire was very destructive. In January 1945 near Düren, the Sturmtiger destroyed three Shermans with a single shot.
Only 18 units were produced in total. Of this number, only 3 have been preserved.
The 1001st Sturmtiger company also included several Sd.Kfz. Goliath, which were mostly used for clearing access roads and destroying objects up to a distance of 1000 m. The mini-tank equipped with a Zündapp motorcycle engine and 60 kg of explosives was guided to the target by the operator using wired control. The connecting cable was wound inside the mini-tank. During guidance, the cable unwound at the speed of travel to prevent it from getting stuck.

Technical parameters of the original:
Dimensions: length 6.28 m, width 3.57 m, height 2.85 m
Weight: 65,000 kg
Armor: 25 - 250 mm
Power unit: gasoline 12-cylinder engine Maybach HL 230 P45 with an output of 478.1 kW
Speed: on road 37 km/h, off-road up to 25 km/h
Range: 120 km
Number of gears: 8 forward + 1 reverse
Main armament: rocket launcher RW 61 L/5.4 caliber 380 mm
Secondary armament: machine gun MG 34 and MG 42