Actually, a quick google search shows that this tank did indeed exist, at least the hull from what quick searching I did.

And at least two turret shells. There is a picture from factory floor (Krupp?) showing hull of a Maus and two turret shells for this tank.

VK 36.01?[/quote] Hi, Mikey! I'm inclined to agree with you- But we need to differentiate exactly WHICH VK.3601 this kit is supposed to represent. This model looks like it would better represent a properly "built up" version of the Henschel entry of the heavy Tank requirement, what with it's inter-leaved Road Wheels, a more conventional Torsion Bar Suspension, and a petrol Engine, so in this case we would be discussing the VK3601(H). Conversely, the Porsche version, the VK3001(P), had conventionally mounted Road Wheels, connected to longitudinal Torsion Bar Suspension components, and a Petrol-Electric Drive system, which was later developed for use in the Porsche Pz.Kpfw.VI(P), the Pz.Kpfw.VI(P) Befehlspanzer, and in the Ferdinand/Elefant Jagdpanzers... Neither the Henschel or the Porsche VK.3001-requirement vehicles were accepted for service, and WERE ONLY BUILT with simulated Turrets for testing purposes, so can we assume that DRAGON's kit is a conjectural vehicle? [/quote] Does this kit perhaps have anything to do with that Asuka announcement you mentioned on this thread , Dennis?[/quote] Hi, Tim! I don't think so; in that ASUKA thread, the "VK-something-or-other" that I mentioned quite a few months ago, I didn't enlarge on that German vehicle because I didn't know much about it. I thought that it MIGHT have been an ASUKA kit because it seemed to be placed so close to the other ASUKA kits' display. I'm not at all sure that the vehicle that I was looking at at the time, was supposed to represent the model that we're discussing in this thread. I mentioned this model in passing, because it was included in the same photo of the ASUKA Shermans and the more modern Japanese Type 74 MBT. Sorry for any confusion...

Actually, a quick google search shows that this tank did indeed exist, at least the hull from what quick searching I did.[/quote] Hi, All! As I mentioned in my original posting to this thread, there were only two manufacturers involved in this Heer requirement for a "heavy" Tank- Henschel's VK.3001(H), and Porsche's VK.3001(P). There were several prototype vehicles of these two contenders built by both manufacturers, NONE of which were equipped with actual Turrets. As mentioned by Mikey and Veli-Matti, Krupp was to supply Turrets, but that never happened, because Hitler stuck his big nose into this program, and all further development with these vehicles was terminated, in favor of the new VK.4501 requirement, which eventually culminated in the Pz.Kpfw.VI, Tiger Ausf.E (Sd.Kfz.181)... Steve- You're right, of course, that the CAD-drawing is only a "representational" drawing, and in agreeing with Tim, I did mention that the Fender in the DRAGON CAD-drawing of this vehicle DOES indeed block the Escape Hatch. I also stated that I was pretty sure that this was only a mistake on DRAGON's part, further enforcing the fact that this drawing IS just "representational". Initial CAD drawings generally do not depict what we eventually wind up actually getting in the box. Many times, manufacturers will correct or amend their products before the kits are finally approved for production. There ARE of course, exceptions to this rule! BTW- Regarding "camo-schemes"- As Steve mentioned, these vehicles were in the 1941-'42 time-frame, so IMO, I'm thinking that PANZERGRAU would probably be a likely choice. However, since the program was cancelled, we can only surmise what camo-schemes MIGHT have been applied to these vehicles, had they actually made it into production. The German "Tri-color" camo-scheme didn't find it's way into production until February of 1943, and we really DON'T KNOW what MIGHT have happened as far as actual battle-experience with these "Pz.VI" vehicles is concerned. It's entirely possible, given the actual progression of the war on the Eastern Front, that these VK.3001/Pz.VI vehicles might have become failures in combat, vis-a-vis the Soviet T-34/85s. The Soviets MIGHT also have accelerated the the development and deployment of their IS-I & II Heavy Tanks, in anticipation of things to come from the Germans. Let's remember that the Russian Military has never really been "slow on the up-take". In fact, their T-34 alone, was quite a bit ahead of it's own time... PS- The CAD drawing ALSO depicts what looks like the Henschel VK.4501(H) Road Wheels and Track- Photos of the ACTUAL Henschel VK.3001(H) prototypes obviously show NARROWER Track and SMALLER Road Wheels. IMO, DRAGON took a little bit of "artistic license" in this respect, as well as providing "Krupp Turrets". So, gentlemen, WOT..?

Well, it has progressed to the box art stage: Still has that fender blocking the side hatch.

That art appears to be an unfinished watercolor rough. Guess they're rushing Mr. Volstad again. It doesn't look like a hatch on the side sof much as a welded panel over a proposed hatch. Looks like this is supposed to be a combat trials vehicle? So the configuration is total conjecture and probably would not match the prototypes actually built. Hopefully there will an option in the kit to build one of the actual prototypes as opposed to a totally fictional wot vehicle. Still looks cool. Wonder what it would look like with a 75mm L/70?

I'd guess that may be Dragon's story insofar as making it seem different from what Revosys has (had may be more applicable). If its just the hatch I don't think it will be that difficult to get it to look like the prototype. Nonetheless it is indeed a nice subject -- hopefully it comes out soon.

It does like there's a hinge allowing the fender to be folded over to expose the sude hatch, though I am still not sure how it could opened from inside with the fender put back into place.

Anyone know what happened to this kit? DragonUSA still lists this as a pre-order item with an expected arrival date of August 2017...