PANZER MK VIB AUSF B TIGER II (SdKfz 182)

PANZER MK VIB AUSF B TIGER II (SdKfz 182)
Image: Tiger II (Bundesarchiv)
YearMay 1944
Vehicle TypeHeavy Tank
Origin & DesignerGermany/Henschel
Numbers Produced492
Crew5 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver & Assistant Driver)
Main Armament1 x 88mm L/71 KwK 43 Gun
Main Armament[@sponson_traverse]
Elevation-7.4° to +15°
Turret Traverse360° (Powered)
Gun Traverse[@gun_traverse]
Gun Mount[@gun_mounts]
Maximum Range[@maximum_range]
Armour Penetration[@armour_penetration]
Gun SightTZF9c
Secondary Armament2 x 7.92mm MG34s
Smoke Discharger6 x NbK 39
Ammunition Carried80 x 88mm & 5.850 x 7.92mm
Height3.09m
Width3.76m
Length10.28m
Combat Weight70.000 kg
Ground Clearance0.49m
Fording Depth1.63m
Trench Crossing2.50
Obstacle Clearance0.85m
Climbing Ability35°
RadioFuG-5
ArmourHull Front: 150mm
Hull Sides: 80mm
Hull Rear: 80mm
Hull Top: 40mm
Hull Bottom: 25-40mm
Gun Mantle: 100mm
Turret Front: 180mm
Turret Sides: 80mm
Turret Rear: 80mm
Turret Top: 40mm
EngineMaybach HL 230 P30
Transmission8 Forward & 4 Reverse
Maximum Road Range170 km
Maximum Cross Country Range120 km
Maximum Water Range[@maximum_water_range]
Maximum Road Speed38 kph
Maximum Cross Country Speed20 kph
Maximum Water Speed[@maximum_water_speed]
Variants[@variants]
NotesPanzer Mk. VI Ausf E was better known as either Königstiger (Royal Tiger or King Tiger) or simply Tiger II. Since early 1943 the German high command wanted a new version of the Tiger family to carry a version of the longer 88mm KwK 43 gun. The first versions had a turret designed by Porsche, which had a curved shape that caused a shot trap to develop between the front of the turret and the hull. Because of this fault only fifty were built. A new turret designed by Henschel was fitted to the rest of the series. The Tiger II looked more like a large version of the Panther rather than a Tiger, this was down to using sloped armour instead of the flat plates seen on the Tiger. The suspension had nine sets of road wheels with torsion bar suspension. The Tiger IIs main armament was the powerful 88mm L/71 gun which could knock out any tank in existence, even at long ranges. Like the Tiger I, it was issued to independent heavy tank battalions with both the Wehrmacht and SS.