Tiger II, Power on the Prowl

[cyberia]

The Tiger II was the common name of one Germany's best know heavy tanks of the Second World War. But this monster had its share of alias'...

Tiger II with the Porsche style turret rumbles along a wooded road

The official German designation for the Tiger II was Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. B, though this machine was listed with the ordnance inventory designation SdKfz 182. To its crews The Tiger II was informally known as Königstiger (German: Bengal Tiger), often literally translated by American troops as King Tiger, and by the British as Royal Tiger.

A Tiger II with the production "Henschel" turret under goes a paint job

The Tiger II's powertrain was Maybach OLVAR EG 40 12 16 B (8 forward and 4 reverse). Its main gun was the 88 mm KwK 43 L/71 with 80 rounds (Porsche turret), and 86 rounds (Henschel turret). A 7.92mm bow MG could be supplied with up to 5,850 rounds.

The Tiger II weighed in at 68.5 tons with the Prosche turret, and 69.8 tons with the later Henschel production turret.

A Tiger II, Eastern Front, 1944

The Tiger II performed very well against Allied and Soviet tanks. The M4 Sherman was unable to penetrate its frontal armor even at point blank range and the M26 Pershing and IS-2 had to close to within 1300 m and 200 m respectively.

However, a rush to get these machines to the field often resulted in early mechanical problems and frequent break downs, and the Tiger II's enormous weight made them tough to maneuver and unable to use most bridges.

Have a favorite Tiger II photo? Have a question about the Tiger II? Then join in, there's always room and everyone's input is more than welcome.
cyberia

[lufttiger]

Nice, should drag my post over here somehow on that Tiger in the sink hole.

[cyberia]

Tiger II on the prowl in the Ardennes. These massive brutes had a problem maneuvering heavily wooded areas due to their size and barrel length.

A Tiger II on the Eastern Front. Wide open terrain such as this was ideal hunting ground for the Tiger.

Two Photos of Tiger IIs on parade at the Sennelager proving grounds.

[Pirate-Drakk]

The Tiger II had a few problems.

It used the same engine as a Panther, and a similar transmission as the Tiger I but with 15+ tons of additional armor. That was murder on the transmissions to move these hulks around and that was a (or the maybe the worst) major breakdown problem.

Another problem with the excessive weight was getting it across some of the smallish bridges in Europe. 70 tons was too much for all but the main bridges so this in turn limited mobility.

Due to a lack of strategic materials, the Tiger II armor was sometimes inferior in quality to it's original design. However, the armor was thick enough that it was still very effective.

All in all, I think the Tiger I was a more effective tank than the Tiger II. It had a better balance of firepower, armor and mobility while being more reliable.

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by Pirate-Drakk

The Tiger II had a few problems.

It used the same engine as a Panther, and a similar transmission as the Tiger I but with 15+ tons of additional armor. That was murder on the transmissions to move these hulks around and that was a (or the maybe the worst) major breakdown problem.

Hey P-D, correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't those engines originally designed for aircraft?

[McCoy]

No, it was the American M3 & M4 that used an a/c engine.

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by McCoy

No, it was the American M3 & M4 that used an a/c engine.

Recently I was watched a documentary on that armor restorer in Cali, I forget his name but LT knows him. He is restoring a Panther found a few years ago in a river in Poland. I could have swore he said the engine was originally designed for aircraft.

[lufttiger]

I've only talked to him once, said i could come and see his museum, 2
years ago. He's only a days drive too.

Jacques Littlefield Military Vehicle Museum: 6 January 2007

[cyberia]

Perhaps I'm mistaken. Went through this whole site and no mention of an aircraft connection.

But some cool videos for any one interested.

Panther Tank Maybach engine test - AOL Video

[lufttiger]

Check out my youtube vid on what Jacuqes does for fun!