Name: 1/48 Elefant German Heavy Tank Destroyer 32589
Brand: Tamiya
SKU: 32589
Price: 36.98 USD
Availability: InStock

1/48 Elefant German Heavy Tank Destroyer 32589

The story behind your model New guide preview

1/48 Elefant German Heavy Tank Destroyer 32589

The Elefant descended from Porsche’s unsuccessful Tiger tank design. Rather than discard the prepared chassis, Germany converted them into heavy tank destroyers, mounting the long 8.8 cm gun in a large fixed fighting compartment and retaining the unusual gasoline-electric drive.

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The initial Ferdinand fought at Kursk in 1943 with very heavy frontal protection and formidable anti-tank firepower. Surviving vehicles were rebuilt with changes including a hull machine gun, a commander’s cupola and revised tracks, producing the later Elefant configuration represented in this kit.

Elefants fought in Italy and on the Eastern Front in 1944, with a few surviving to the final German campaigns. Tamiya’s marking choice depicts vehicle 102 of the 653rd Heavy Anti-Tank Battalion in Italy in May 1944, with three-color camouflage over the vehicle’s anti-magnetic Zimmerit coating.

Sources and accuracy

Historical summary adapted from the exact-kit manufacturer background. Scheme selections are limited to the individually supported markings; source uncertainties are retained.

Tamiya 32589 original instructions

Kit Instruction Colors

View kit instructions (PDF)

These are the kit manufacturer’s paint recommendations. Follow the exact instruction diagrams for placement, marking choices and mixes. They are separate from the historical palettes below.

Build This Model

These 12 colors are on Tamiya’s official Elefant kit page. TS-3 Dark Yellow, TS-1 Red Brown and TS-2 Dark Green sprays start selected for the exterior camouflage; XF-60, XF-64 and XF-61 acrylics are the corresponding brush and airbrush choices and start unchecked. Follow the kit marking guide for placement and finish.

Paints (12)

Select TS-1 Red Brown TS-1 Red Brown $7.75

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Select TS-2 Dark Green TS-2 Dark Green $7.75

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Select TS-3 Dark Yellow TS-3 Dark Yellow $7.75

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Select X-10 Gun Metal X-10 Gun Metal $2.90

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Select XF-15 Flat Flesh XF-15 Flat Flesh $2.90

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Select XF-56 Metallic Gray XF-56 Metallic Gray $2.90

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Select XF-60 Dark Yellow XF-60 Dark Yellow $2.90

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Select XF-61 Dark Green XF-61 Dark Green $2.90

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Select XF-63 German Gray XF-63 German Gray $2.90

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Select XF-64 Red Brown XF-64 Red Brown $2.90

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Select XF-65 Field Gray XF-65 Field Gray $2.90

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Select XF-84 Dark Iron XF-84 Dark Iron $2.90

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Tools and supplies (8)

Select any tools you need to add them with your paint selection.

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Paints and supplies sold separately. Prices and availability update from each product.

Historical Paint Schemes

Choose a documented aircraft or vehicle finish, then a paint system. These researched alternatives are separate from the instruction list above.

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Each pack is its own shopping list. Choose one paint system; selections stay separate. Out-of-stock items remain visible but cannot be added. There is no bundle discount.

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Exterior scheme colors only. Check the diagrams for pattern and placement. Interior, crew, small details and decals are not included unless a pack explicitly says so. Model paints are manufacturer-intended reproductions or labeled approximations, not independently measured exact historical matches.

Sources and accuracy

Tamiya 32589 original instructions
Tamiya Color Matching List
Tamiya 35335 painting and marking guide Related-kit paint reference; not this kit’s assembly or marking instructions.
Tamiya 35252 original instructions Related-kit paint reference; not this kit’s assembly or marking instructions.
Tamiya 32522 original instructions Related-kit paint reference; not this kit’s assembly or marking instructions.
AMMO ATOM acrylic color conversion chart

Tools for this build

Practical suggestions for assembling and finishing this kit. Buy only what you need; nothing here is added automatically.

Build basics

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Choose glue for the material and thinner for the paint range. A shared base type alone does not guarantee different brands can be mixed together.

1/48 Elefant German Heavy Tank Destroyer 32589

$36.98

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32589

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Description

1/48 scale plastic model assembly kit. Length: 172mm, width: 71mm.
The form of the Elefant is captured in detailed 1/48 scale, including depictions of the 8.8cm Pak 43 L/71 gun.
The large, boxy superstructure is authentically recreated, right down to its parts breakdown, which is based upon the jigsaw type plate joints of that on the real thing.
Assembly type tracks use single-piece straight sections.
Weights are included for installation in the hull, giving the model an authentically heavy feel.