Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. E "Tiger"

[David]

Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. E "Tiger"

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The development of one of the most famous tanks of World War II started in 1937 and first massive Tiger I heavy tank emerged in July of 1942. From 1937 to mid 1941, Henschel produced designs and prototypes of various medium and heavy tanks such as DW (Durchbruchwagen)I and II, VK3001, VK3601 and VK6501. At the same, Dr.Porsche developed his VK 3001 Leopard medium tank. None of those tanks entered production but provided both companies with valuable experience in tank design and production, which came to be useful in working on the Tiger heavy tank. On May 26, 1941, during the meeting concerning the development of new weaponry, Adolf Hitler ordered both Dr.Porsche and Henschel to supply their designs for a heavy tank, which was to be ready in the summer of 1942. Krupp was in charge of supplying main armament and producing turrets for designs by both Henschel and Porsche. The project was known as the "Tigerprogram". Henschel Tiger's development was based on previous designs of VK 3001 (H) and VK3601 (H) , while Porsche Tiger's development was based on previous design of VK 3001(P) Leopard. The new 45-ton panzer was to be armed with a 88mm KwK L/56 mounted in a turret designed by Krupp. Development of Porsche's Tiger was progressing much faster than that of Henschel since Porsche worked on an independent project for heavy tank since autumn of 1940. Henschel was not that advanced and utilized as many already available components from its previous projects to complete its VK 4501 design. Originally, Krupp designed the turret for Porsche's VK 4501 ,but then it was modified and used by Henschel's VK 4501. The first eight turrets produced had lower sides and a flat roof with raised centre section to allow the gun to be depressed through larger arc, while the rest had the higher sides and slanted roof. In mid 1941, Henschel decided to build two prototypes - VK 4501(H) H1 and VK 4501(H) H2. Model H1 was to be armed with 88mm KwK 36 L/56 gun, mounted in modified Krupp's turret designed for VK4501(P).Model H2 was to be armed with 75mm KwK 42 L/70 (Rheinmetall) gun mounted in a newly designed turret (similar to that later used on Panther Ausf D1 and Ausf A) of which only wooden model was made. In late 1941, Henschel decided to concentrate on model H1 and continued its development and its prototype was ready on April 17th of 1942. The first Tiger by Henschel known as Versuchsserie Tiger Nr. V1 was the only one fitted with Vorpanzer (frontal armor shield) to protect front lower hull and tracks. The first time Tiger saw action was on August 29th of 1942 and September 21st / 22nd at Mga, southeast of Leningrad with 1st company of sPzAbt 502. The unsuccessful engagements ended in the new Tiger being captured by the Soviets, who then examined it and exhibited during the captured equipment exhibition in Moscow's Gorky Park in 1943. The failure of Tigers was attributed to mechanical problems as well as poor terrain conditions, totally unsuitable for heavy tanks. In December of 1942, Tigers from sPzAbt 501, saw action near Tunis in North Africa. Written by: Antej

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Country :	Germany
Role :	Heavy Tank
In-Service Date :	August 1942
Manufacturer :	Henschel & Sohn A.G.
Number Produced :	1346
Crew :	5
Rado :	FuG 5 FuG 2
Road Speed :	38 Kilometers per Hour
Rough Speed :	16 Kilometers per Hour
Road Range:	125 Kilometers
Off-Road Range:	80 Kilometers
Engine Name:	Maybach HL 210 P45
Coolant :
Cylinders:
Capacity:	Liters
Horsepower :
Power / Weight Ratio :	hp per tonne
Transmission :	Maybach-Olvar 401216 Preselector
Gears :	8 Forward / 4 Reverse
Suspenion :	Transverse Torsion Bar
Fuel Type :	Gasoline
Fuel Capacity:	569 Liters
Road Consumption:	4.55 Liters per Kilometer
Off-Road Consumption:	7.11 Liters per Kilometer
Length :	8.45 meters
Height :	2.93 meters
Width :	3.7 meters
Weight :	57000 kilograms
Ground Clearance :	47 centimeters
Ground Pressure :	1.04 kg/cm²
Track Links :	96 per track
Track Width :	72 centimeters
Track Ground Contact :	361 centimeters
Gradiant :	35°
Vertical Obsticle :	0.79 meters
Fording Depth :	1.56 meters
Trench Crossing :	2.49 meters
Turning Radius :	3.44 meters
Main Gun :	88mm Kw.K.36 L / 56
Gunsight :	TZF 9c
Traverse :	360° (Hydrolic)
Elevation :	+17° / 6.5°
Main Gun Ammo :	92
Secondary Weapons :	1x 7.92mm MG34 (Coaxial - 2400 rounds) 1x 7.92mm MG34 (Bow - 2400 rounds)
Hull Front (Upper) :	100mm @ 80°
Hull Front (Lower) :	100mm @ 66°
Hull Sides (Upper) :	80mm @ 90°
Hull Sides (Lower) :	60mm @ 90°
Hull Rear :	80mm @ 82°
Hull Top :	25mm @ 0°
Hull Bottom :	25mm @ 0°
Turret Front :	100mm @ 82°
Turret Mantlet :	100mm - 120mm @ 90°
Turret Sides :	80mm @ 90°
Turret Rear :	80mm @ 90°
Turret Top :	25mm @ 0° - 9°

Penetration Data for the 88mm Kw.K.36 L / 56

(All data is displayed vs. RHA / FHA plate @ 30°)

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PzGr. ( Armor Piercing Capped Ballistic Cap ) Weight Velocity 100 m 500 m 1000 m 1500 m 2000 m 9.65 kg 810 m/s 97 / -- mm 93 / -- mm 87 / -- mm 80 / -- mm 72 / -- mm

PzGr.39 ( Armor Piercing Capped Ballistic Cap ) Weight Velocity 100 m 500 m 1000 m 1500 m 2000 m 10.2 kg 800 m/s 120 / -- mm 110 / -- mm 100 / -- mm 91 / -- mm 84 / -- mm

PzGr.40 ( Armor Piercing Composite Rigid ) Weight Velocity 100 m 500 m 1000 m 1500 m 2000 m 7.3 kg 930 m/s 170 / -- mm 155 / -- mm 138 / -- mm 122 / -- mm 110 / -- mm

Hl.Gr.39 ( High Explosive Anti-Tank ) Weight Velocity 100 m 500 m 1000 m 1500 m 2000 m 10 kg 795 m/s 90 / -- mm 90 / -- mm 90 / -- mm 90 / -- mm 90 / -- mm