Königstiger (GBX69)

Königstiger (GBX69) includes one Königtiger (Late Production), five Fallschirmjäger Tank Rider figures, two Tiger Ace dice, one Decal sheet and two Rare-earth magnets. A company, or better yet a full Königstiger battalion, was quite capable of steamrolling its way through enemy lines and driving a wedge to be exploited. But this would be one local break through, and with front lines extending over a thousand kilometres, the few Königstiger available could hardly have the impact needed to reverse the Allies in their assault on Germany in 1944. Check out the Königstiger in the online store here...

Devil's Charge The Germans had been in retreat since the Allied breakout from Normandy, finally settling into defensive lines on their frontier as Autumn turned into Winter. In early December 1944 it seemed, to the Americans facing them in the Ardennes forests of Belgium and Luxembourg, unlikely that the Germans would attack. Learn more about Devil's Charge here...

As one of Hitler’s wonder weapons designed to change the course of the war, the Königstiger had the potential but not the numbers. It too, like the Tiger I, was a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield but small numbers, high maintenance, and vulnerability to aircraft and artillery kept it from achieving its promise of turning the war in Germany’s favour. During the Ardennes offensive, Peiper’s regiment was reinforced by the 502. SS-Schwere Panzer Abteilung (502nd SS-Heavy Panzer Battalion). This battalion was equipped with the Königstiger. Their slow speed and bulk placed them at the end of Peiper’s column at the start, but when they began to encounter strong American counterattacks, these nearly invincible beasts proved essential to the mission. Designed by Evan Allen Figures painted by James Brown Tank painted by Blake Coster

Below: The Tiger Ace Dice.	Below: The Decal sheet.

The Königstiger in Flames Of War

Armour     Name Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes Weapon Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower   Königstiger (Henschel) Slow Tank 15 8 2 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Overloaded. 8.8cm KwK43 gun 40"/100cm 2 16 3+ Slow traverse.

Overloaded Super-heavy tanks and heavily-laden assault guns often overload their engines and suspensions, making them very poor at crossing obstacles. When required to take a Bogging Check to cross Difficult Going, an Overloaded vehicle becomes Bogged Down on a roll of 1 or 2, rather than the usual 1. An Overloaded vehicle must re-roll successful Skill Tests to cross Very Difficult Going.

Slow Traverse Most tanks were either fitted with power traverse or had turrets that were light enough to be quickly swung by hand. Some designs suffered from heavy turrets lacking power traverse. Tanks with slow traverse add +1 to the score required to hit when shooting any turret-mounted weapon except an AA MG at targets that are entirely behind a line drawn across the front of the tank’s turret before they rotate their turret to face the target.

Remember to roll for your Tiger Ace Skills before each game (see page 244 of the rule book).

A Company Command Königstiger tank always has two Tiger Ace Skills (see page 244 of the rule book).

The Fallschirmjäger Tank Rider Figures

Tank Riders Teams from a Fallschirmjäger Platoon have a 3+ Save while Mounted on Königstiger (Henschel) tanks as Passengers. They do not need to Dismount Under Fire when hit. They can remain on the tanks instead.

The Fallschirmjäger Tank Rider Figures Mounted on the Königstiger

The Königstiger dominates the battefield. Few guns can penetrate its thick hide, and no tank can withstand its big gun.

The Fallschirmjäger Hitch a Ride on a Königstiger in the Ardennes

Contents of the Königstiger Box Set

Contact the customer service team at customerservice@battlefront.co.nz if you have any issues with any of the components.

a. 1x Right-hand side track. b. 1x Left-hand side track. c. 1x 8.8cm gun barrel. d. 1x Hull MG. e. 1x Standing FJ figure with hand up to face. f. 1x Standing FJ figure with rifle at side. g. 1x Standing FJ figure with assault rifle h. 1x Seated FJ figure with LMG. i. 1x Seated FJ figure with rifle j. 1x Loader's hatch sprue. k. 1x Front hatch sprue.

l. 1x Right-hand side mudguard sprue. m. 1x Left-hand side mudguard sprue. n. 1x Exhaust pipe sprue. o. 1x Spare track link sprue. p. 1x Cupola spure. q. 2x Rare-earth magents. r. 1x Decal sheet. s. 2x Tiger Ace dice t. 1x Right-hand side fender. u. 1x Left-hand side fender. v. 1x Resin hull and turret.

Assembling the Königstiger

Step 1. Begin assembly by attaching the tracks to the hull of the Königstiger. Note: Each track has a lugs on the back that corresponds with the recesses in the hull to aid in correct orientation.
Below: The correct alignment for the left-hand side track	Below: The correct alignment for the right-hand side track.

Step 2. Attach the tracks to the hull.		Step 3. Next, attach the driver's and radio operator's hatches.

Step 4. Attached the headlight.	Step 5. Next, add the hull MG.	Step 6. On the back of the hull, attach the exhaust pipes.

Step 7. The jack is attached at the bottom of the hull.	Below: The front mudguards are stamped with a L or R to indicate the correct orientation.	Step 8. Once the correct orientations has been establisged, attach the front mudguards.

Below: The side fenders are stamped with a L or R to indicate the correct orientation.	Step 9. Attach the right-hand side fender.

Step 10. Attach the left-hand side fender.	Below: The rear mudguards are stamped with a L or R to indicate the correct orientation.	Step 11. Attach the rear mudguards.

Step 12. Next, add the loader's hatch.	Step 13. Then, the commander's cupola.	Step 14. Attach the 8.8cm gun barrel to the front of the turret. Note: The bulge on the mantlet is on the right-hand side.

Step 15. The spare track links are optional and attach to the side of the turret. These can be used to add some modelling variety.	Step 16. The Königstiger is now fully assembled and ready for painting.

		Adding a Tank Commander To add a tank commander, simply use the open commander's cupola and then add a tank commander. Far left: Adding the open commander's cupola. Left: Adding the tank commander.
Adding Rare-Earth Magnets Evan has created a recess for a rare-earth magnet in the hull of the Königstiger.

Step 1. The magnet recess complete with magnet. Read Chris' guide to Rare Earth Magnets here...	Step 2. Simply glue a rare earth magent to the bottom of the turret and you have a safe and secure way of attaching the turret to the hull.