Designed in the late 1930s, this was the most modern heavy tank of any army at the outset of World War 2. By the time the Germans launched 'Operation Barbarossa' in June 1941 around 500 of these tanks had been built and by the time they ceased production over 3000 had been built, and certainly in 1941 it was much feared by the Germans, and seemed impregnable (See the article on the website in the 'Friday Night at the Fights' section. Be amazed!