VK 4502 (P) Hintern Tank Plastic Model
The model was built to a 1:35 scale from a Hobby Boss kit and enhanced with a Voyager Model upgrade set containing, among other things, photo-etched parts.
The Hintern was a prototype that took part in a competition (1942) for a new heavy tank for the German army. However, it lost the fight for the contract and never entered production.
Ferdinand Porsche was the tank designer. He prepared the project in two versions. The first was with the turret in the middle of the hull and the second version, with the turret on the rear part. The version, the plastic model of which is shown in the photos, was better armoured and much heavier than the first. It was to weight 75.5 tons (UK-74.3 tons, USA-83⅕ tons), and the thickness of its armor was to be between 100 and 170 mm (3.9-6.7 in). Two engines were to accelerate the tank on the road to 30 km/h (18⅗ mph).
Photos of the model show the tank covered in a textured surface. The Germans covered their armored vehicles with Zimmerit. It was a special coating that was to make it difficult to attach magnetic mines and anti-tank grenades. A positive side effect was that the light was scattered through the rough surface, which provided better camouflage.
Special plastic masses are available in modeling stores that imitate Zimmerit well. In this case, however, it was used a different method. The ATAK Model set was used, containing very thin caps made of resin which were glued to the model.
Sources:
- https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/VK_4502_(P)
- https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimmerit
28 May 2019
Modeler: Artur Stańczyk
Photographer: Ender
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