The heavy tank destroyer Elefant was developed during World War II for the Wehrmacht's anti-tank units. The first production models were built using the VK 45.01 (P) chassis and were initially named "Ferdinand" in honor of the famous designer Ferdinand Porsche. Heavily armored and equipped with the powerful 88 mm. gun, capable of destroying enemy tanks at long range, they made their debut at the Battle of Kursk, the largest “clash of tanks” in history. However, the vehicle's design had limitations in mobility, speed, and technical reliability, which affected its performance at Kursk. The Ferdinand units still in service by the end of 1943 were upgraded with improvements and modifications to the new standard, under the final designation "Elefant."
