THE 1/16 SCALE R/C IMAI ELEFANT VOLUME 2 The great saga of the 1/16 scale R/C IMAI ELEFANT is a remarkable one, it is somewhat amazing that such a model has been strangely attractive and as if possessed of magic powers, for me, a proud owner, it is not possible to have been a personal witness of such an extraordinary model without being marked by it forever. Not a day goes by when I’m building an armored model when the experience of building the IMAI ELEFANT rises again in my memory. This model was much different than the other models, and was a constant source of amazement to me, an almost all metal model of unique artistic orientation of rare imagination and faultless precision. There was always an immense mystery surrounding this model, IMAI acting almost as if they knew the model’s destiny. It is almost impossible to imagine another such destiny where a model started with so little and reached such heights, when many other models had a thousand times more opportunity to leave their mark on the world. In the early 70’s when this model was released it practically meant nothing to anyone, considering the fact that IMAI had not even focused on releasing large scale armored models in a scale like Tamiya or Bandai, but without rightly knowing, with this just one ELEFANT kit, was the high destiny to which this model was most strongly called, into an immortal form. This IMAI ELEFANT would ultimately blend with IMAI’s passion for an eternal divine art. IMAI paid fanatical attention to quality and detail, the mastery of three dimensional figures, the die-cast metal. The assembly of parts and accessories would be the clay the sculptor shapes into an immortal form, this modeling clay of metal and plastic would become for IMAI a beautiful work of art like a bronze or marble sculpture. No one knew anything about the IMAI ELEFANT for most of the years preceding its release, many modelers themselves took some time to recognize the distinctiveness of the IMAI ELEFANT. Apart from any of us who owns an R/C 1/16 scale IMAI ELEFANT, who else has ever tried to present an objective portrayal of this extraordinary model? We are the last witnesses sought to penetrate the mystery surrounding the enigma of this outstanding model uniquely capable of having built-up a reputation to the level of legend. No other model can match such a feat. A model high in honors and richly deserved. A lot of model companies release a model and wait for the audience to give a spark, IMAI came onstage with a flamethrower with their 1/16 scale R/C ELEFANT! Where all the world is indeed a stage! There is just no comparison between the IMAI ELEFANT and the Tamiya’s or the Bandai’s. IMAI knew what they were coming out with, they came out with this just one superb armored kit of prestigious value of a rare yet popular armored fighting vehicle. The IMAI ELEFANT alone takes the place of a whole division of Tamiya’s and Bandai’s! Even back then it was destined to be something special. Even in its fourth decade the IMAI ELEFANT model still makes all the newest models of today to be used as coffee tables. I strongly recommend this model to anyone, Dudes! money comes and goes, kits don’t! I was one of those fortunate who didn’t even knew that this IMAI ELEFANT existed, and as soon as I found out, by the next day, I already had one! Mint condition and still in its original box! (yes! I am a lucky bastard!) for anyone who is even thinking in adding an IMAI ELEFANT to their collections you will not be disappointed, this model is worth every penny. Tankers! Go for the big win! Triumph of determination is all it takes! Just let your hearts be the anchors and the beats of your souls! So yes dear tank enthusiasts, one of the last and most important 1/16 scale modeling subjects awaits you, a true classic large scale armored model. In painting and finishing my IMAI ELEFANT, I was determined to do the best job I can. Every job is a self portrait of the person who did it, autograph your work with excellence! A classic model like this just begs to be finished and displayed to perfection! The perfect Panzer finishing technique of unique appearance and finish. All models are meant to be displayed, and it is upon the appearance of the finished model that all your ability will be judged. Of all the facets in modeling, Painting, Weathering, and Finishing is by far the most important, this can either make or break a model, because it is the degree of painting, weathering and finishing that demands judgement. The finished product should be technical and representative. It would be a sin to see an IMAI ELEFANT with a product of fantasy paint job all inaccurate all over it. I believe that these pursuits should be taken to a reasonable high level, and this science is purely a matter of intense observation and detail, being able to spot this and recreating it on a model is also one of the most important facets in all modeling ethos. The key to painting realistic armored fighting vehicles requires only the technical ability to use artist materials to copy what you observe from reference, to have a full understanding of the chronology of one’s subject is as important as some of the technical aspects of the hobby. Those who have an active interest in the history of their subject will certainly be better modelers than those who have none. However, I would never accept the use of mud or zimmerit as a means to complete my original IMAI ELEFANT, I can’t even handle the thought of covering my IMAI ELEFANT liberally with mud and zimmerit. My IMAI ELEFANT is planned to represent this vehicle used by the German Wehrmacht in 1943-44 to a reasonable appearance. Not the mud, dirt and zimmerit they fought in! My model is technical and representative of a built and painted 1/16 scale R/C IMAI ELEFANT. German camouflage in World War II was, the most highly developed, the most interesting and most diverse of all the belligerent powers. It was the most sophisticated camouflage system yet devised. Capable of being concealed in woods and villages, in many areas of the vast Russian steppes and open fields, it blended perfectly with all local conditions of terrain, it has continued to influence military coloring practices up to today. This variety is one of the prime reasons for my interest in German vehicles. The perfect addition to the 1/16 scale R/C IMAI ELEFANT would be the books Combat History of Schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 653 and 654 by Fedorowicz Publishing. Both these books are ABSOLUTELY AWESOME! These two massive book volumes are the bible on the Elefant, the almighty reference, the masters of all that is known and unknown, the basis of everything, the ordainer of all things. The thirst for knowledge is unquenchable, a vast field of study on the subject, an absolute must have for any book shelf and Elefant fan! The historic orientations of both units took many forms, unit 653 from Elefants to Jagdtigers and unit 654 from Elefants to Jagdpanthers! Both these works reveal amazing and extraordinary research and knowledge. The picturesque world shows remarkable liveliness and is full of hundreds of photos and magnificent scale color drawings full of artistic aspirations and its limitless scope, all with breath taking enthusiasm. In a text that combines original history, first hand accounts and the complete war diaries of both battalions from 1943 onward. No one in the world has spoken to us so eloquently about the existence of these armored units and the Ferdinands/Elefants. They held their view not because they were brought up by a regime, but because of their duty and analytical minds bound them to the concept to set their historical record straight. This realistic portrayal of first hand accounts and combat diaries is truly the nearest thing to being there. They would come suddenly alive and launch into a speech directed at you alone, the biting phrase were at their command, the constant fear that death was always looking at them, but their minds remained clear as a flash of lightening. The constant threat of death brought with it a heightened consciousness and, in the best of men, an increased dedication. Before they may have led a banal existence, marked by concessions to everyday life. But the armored battles taught them to love renunciation. They felt neither hatred nor desire, they had overcomed their bodies and destroyed their anguish and fear. Thus purified, they could devote themselves to the cause. And death frightened them no more. The intangible armored spirit and the all to tangible aches and pains of the most difficult armored battles they ever experienced elevated even the battle tested men of these armored units to an undreamed-of level of endurance, vigilance and hardness. When these armored units were reorganized and equipped with the Ferdinand/Elefant, there was no more formidable armored unit in the world. These Ferdinands/Elefants were once the harvengers of death in the most terrible conflict known to man. The brutal realities of the battlefields can bring out the very worst aspects of human ingenuity. The best minds are used for the worst of purposes. The scientist and engineers strive to dream up new ways to kill, maim, or terrify their enemies. As any small advantage is relentlessly exploited, in the desperate search for the vital winning edge. Sometimes fear alone is enough to overcome the enemy. This was certainly the case with the ELEFANT, the main weapon was fear. Rolling relentlessly onwards, they seem like an unstoppable juggernaut. The very essence of armored might. They appear so invulnerable and impersonal, its easy to forget that inside of the vehicle there are men just the same as any others, with the same fears and emotions which run through every soldier on the battlefield. In many respects, these emotions are heightened because the tank gives the protection of its armor, but imposes a host of other restrictions on its crew. Inside of a tank, visibility is severely limited, the interior is cramped and noisy, the crew are acutely aware that their vehicle is a prime target for every enemy weapon on the battlefield. With their own stocks of fuel and ammunition onboard, they knew that with one hit can turn their tank into a blazing inferno. There is also the danger that enemy infantrymen might get close enough to attack with anti-tank weapons from unseen hiding places. The main source for danger for tank crews in battle is the lack of visibility inside a tank, remember that there is narrow vision slits that allow you to see very small areas and there are always blind spots, so you can imagine the claustrophobic world. Under favorable circumstances, placed in good positions, with their strong frontal armor facing the enemy, the crews of the German tanks of World War II had good cause for confidence. These Elefants could withstand most guns on the battlefields from all but the closest ranges. Armed with the 88mm 43 L/71 gun, the massive velocity of its armor-piercing shells spelled death for hundreds of Russian tanks at the battle of Kursk. Throughout the war the 88 was the most feared adversary for all the tank men of the allied armies. It was the scourge of allied armor. In essence, the successful engagements in destruction of enemy tanks was the matter of the simple application of brute force. Elementary physics tell us that: Force equals mass times velocity. For the job of destroying other tanks, the tank needs to be able to fire the heaviest practical of shell at huge speeds, this produces enough force to punch through the armor of an enemy tank either to kill the crew inside or blow the vehicle to smithereens. The prospect of the awful death of men trapped in a burning tank haunted the tank crews, it was a nightmare prospect which drained their every moment and existence. And many marked the funeral pyres of their helpless crews. Robert “PanzerBlitz” McGuire. Panzer Museum in 1/15 & 1/16 Scale (Author, Director, Curator)
My IMAI Elefant photos:
The 1/16 scale RC IMAI Elefant
