In this unboxing video (and photos), Jim gives us some background on this massive German tank destroyer, as well as detailed photos of what''s inside the box.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

@Staff_Jim – Jim,

Very good video presentation, I like the music accompanying the individual photographs at the end – nice touch!

As for Tamiya’s Elefant it looks like another one of their well-engineered kits. It would have been nice to have had a set of their vinyl single piece tracks included in the box as an option for the novice modeler and those that prefer them over the individual or link and length tracks, just saying! What I found very attractive about this kit, from viewing your video, are the textured armor plates simulating the rolled steel found on these larger than life German tanks. The weld seams, flame cut and machined edges really sets this kit off. I’m happy to see that Tamiya has chosen to produce an aftermarket Zimmerit set for this kit (not shown in the video) as an optional item for those interested in adding that feature found on these vehicles. The plus side is that chipped and broken off sections could more easily be replicated verse having to gouge out areas of a molded on Zimmerit armor panel.

I know this kit came out last year, however I would still be interested in finding out if the instructions include placing two links without guide horns together on each track run. On the real vehicle each track run was assembled using 109 links per side, and because these tracks are double linked (one track link with a shoe horn and one without) each track run ended up with two non-guide horned links paired up together – this feature is found on both the surviving vehicles (Ferdinand and Elefant). This feature is also found on all of the vehicles using this chassis and suspension system (VK45.01 (P) & Pz.kfw VI Tiger P) and with either the early or late version double link tracks. With the exception of Dragon’s two 72nd scale VK45.02 (V& H) all of the kit manufactures have missed this! Just wondering!

Anyhow this kit is obviously loaded with lots of molded on detail and the potential for upgrading some of the kit parts (periscopes, hatches) to enhance the realism is certainly there. Good to see figures included too. I for one would certainly be interested in adding this kit to the stash as a fun short time OOTB build so I could spend more practice time on painting the vehicle and figures.

~ Eddy

Nice review,thes video un-boxings are very informative.

However,I built the Dragon Elefant w/zimm and it really was a fantastic,carefree,"Tamiya like" build.And it had a decent amount of brass including a turned metal barrel.Normally I go with Tamiya.I enjoyed their new Jagdtiger,but not on this one.

That is how a "Out of the box review" should go. Do not change a thing.

Looking at the link and length tracks at 6:46 those are some nasty ejector pin marks that will be next to impossible to remedy, I think I will need to source some alternate tracks for this model. The steel texture looks very good even though for the most part it will be covered up with zimmerit if built for accuracy. the instructions look to be of the usual high standard.

Dear Jim,

Thanks for the very clear review. And a very welcome add, the brief history with the help of original photos. Highly appreciated!
As good as always, this Tamiya product. The only thing I have to "complain" about is the fact that, since Zimmerit was used on most of these vehicles, I consider it a bit strange that, in case I want to build a Zimmerit covered version, I have to count extra money. Not to mention the fact that it is quite hard to find, this add set (Item 12644). The European price for this model is around € 59,99 ( www.moduni.de), wich would have allowed an included Zimmerit set.
This box is a rather new one in the Tamiya range, so, if the Tamiya staff would have looked around a bit, they could have seen that etch sets and alu barrels are since quite some time now common use for other modeling cies. Making this box a bit 'meagre'.
But......it is my opinion, I am certainly not ruling the world! So, if somebody has other ideas

Another great review, thanks

If I had some money I would buy this kit as it looks a good kit,like most Tamiya kits the fit should be no problems.
Don't know about the figures that come with it they look awful

Just been looking around for some deals and Affinity models are giving away free zimmerit sheet with this kit worth £7.00 on its own.
http://www.affinitymodels.co.uk/p110254/TAMIYA-1-35-%22ELEFANT%22-W-FREE-ZIMMERIT-%2335325-/b0-4217-4217

Great review.

Karl