The Sturmtiger – 38 cm RW61 auf Sturmmörser Tiger (Early) was an assault mortar vehicle developed in 1943–44 to provide overwhelming firepower for urban and fortified assaults. Based on the heavy Tiger I chassis, the early-production Sturmtiger mounted the massive 38 cm RW61 rocket-assisted mortar, originally designed for naval use, capable of launching a 345 kg explosive projectile over short ranges with devastating effect. Early models featured the initial stubby mantlet design, simplified external fittings, and the characteristic roof-mounted loading crane used to hoist the massive ammunition into the breech. Armour protection remained extremely heavy—up to 150mm on the hull front—allowing the vehicle to survive close-range engagements in rubble-filled city streets.
 
Intended for operations such as Stalingrad or Sevastopol, the Sturmtiger entered service too late for those battles but saw action in Warsaw (1944) and the defence of Germany in 1945, where its enormous warheads could obliterate buildings, bunkers, and strongpoints with a single shot. Early-production vehicles were mechanically reliable thanks to the Tiger chassis, but the huge ammunition load, slow firing cycle, and limited range meant they operated best in pre-planned assaults. Only 18 Sturmtigers were produced, making the early variant one of the rarest and most distinctive heavy assault vehicles fielded by Germany in WWII.
 
Multi part resin model.
 
Printed by Imperator Models on License from Wargame 3D.