WWII Tanks: Tiger I - Heavy Tank
TLDRThe German Tiger I tank, known for its formidable presence during World War II, was developed to replace the Panzer IV. Initiated in 1938, the project led to the VK 36.01 and later the VK 4501, which was chosen over Porsche's design. The Tiger I, with its 88 mm KwK 36 gun and thick armor, was a force to be reckoned with, despite its underpowered engine and suspension issues. It first saw action in North Africa in 1942, causing shock among British forces. By mid-1944, the Allies had developed tanks like the Sherman Firefly and T-34/85 capable of challenging it. Only 1,350 units were produced between August 1942 and August 1944, with variants including the command tank Befehlspanzer Tiger and the Sturm Tiger, a self-propelled mortar carrier.
Takeaways
- 🐯 The Tiger I, or Panzer VI, was a German heavy tank that struck fear in Allied forces due to its lethal firepower and strong armor.
- 🔧 The Tiger I was developed to replace the Panzer IV, with the need for a new tank identified as early as 1938.
- 🏭 In 1941, Henschel was commissioned to produce the VK 36.01, which was specified to have robust armor, a powerful gun, and a top speed of 40 km/h.
- 🔩 A larger 45-ton tank, the VK 4501, was ordered in May 1941, armed with an 8.8 cm gun, with the prototype deadline set for Hitler's birthday on April 20, 1942.
- 🏎️ The final design, the VK 4501 (H), was named after Henschel and was selected over Porsche's design, the VK 4501 (P), for mass production.
- 🛠️ The Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. E, later known as the Tiger I, incorporated parts from both Henschel and Porsche prototypes, with the Krupp turret and gun remaining unchanged.
- 👤 The Tiger tank's crew consisted of five members: commander, gunner, loader, driver, and radio operator.
- 🛡️ The tank featured thick armor ranging from 25 to 120 mm, which provided excellent protection against enemy fire.
- ⚙️ In 1943, the 55-ton Tiger I was powered by a V12 Maybach HL230 P45 gasoline engine delivering 690 horsepower, though it was considered underpowered for the tank's weight.
- 🚧 The overlapping wheel suspension was prone to clogging with mud, which could immobilize the tank, especially in the harsh conditions of the Eastern Front.
- ⚔️ The Tiger I's primary armament was the 88 mm KwK 36 gun, effective against the American M4 Sherman, supplemented by two machine guns and smoke discharge canisters.
- 🌍 The Tiger I saw action in various theaters of World War II, including North Africa, Italy, Normandy, and the Eastern Front.
- 🔄 It wasn't until mid-1944 that the Allies fielded tanks capable of effectively engaging the Tiger I, such as the British Sherman Firefly and the Russian T-34/85.
- 🏭 A total of 1,350 Tiger I tanks were produced between August 1942 and August 1944, with rare variants like the Befehlspanzer Tiger command tank and the Sturm Tiger self-propelled mortar.
Q & A
What was the Tiger I Panzer VI Heavy Tank known for?
-The Tiger I was known for its lethal firepower and excellent armor, which made it a machine feared by the Allies during World War II.
Why was there a need to replace the Panzer IV?
-The need to replace the Panzer IV dates back to 1938 when it was realized that several prototypes were built to meet the requirements for better armor protection, a powerful gun, and a higher maximum speed.
What was the initial order placed with Henschel in 1941 for?
-In 1941, an order was placed with Henschel for the VK 36.01, which was specified to have good armor protection, a powerful gun, and a maximum speed of 40 km/h or 25 mph.
What was the name and armament of the 45-ton tank ordered in May 1941?
-The 45-ton tank ordered in May 1941 was called the VK 4501 and was armed with an 8.8 cm gun.
What does the 'H' in VK 4501 (H) stand for?
-The 'H' in VK 4501 (H) stands for Henschel, which was the company that designed and produced the selected prototype.
How many crew members did the Tiger tank have?
-The Tiger tank had a crew of five, which included the commander, gunner, loader, driver, and radio operator.
What was the thickness range of the Tiger I's armor?
-The armor of the Tiger I was very thick, ranging from 25 to 120 mm, offering excellent protection.
What engine powered the Tiger I in 1943 and what was its horsepower?
-In 1943, the Tiger I was powered by a V12 Maybach HL230 P45 gasoline engine, providing 690 horsepower or 515 kilowatts.
What was one of the engineering problems with the Tiger I tank?
-One of the engineering problems with the Tiger I tank was the overlapping wheel suspension, which became clogged with mud and could immobilize the tank, especially in the freezing conditions of the Eastern Front.
What was the primary armament of the Tiger I?
-The primary armament of the Tiger I was its deadly 88 mm KwK 36 gun, which was capable of penetrating American M4 Sherman armor.
When did the Tiger I first appear on the battlefield?
-The Tiger I first appeared in Tunisia, North Africa, in late 1942, shocking the British forces.
How many Tiger I tanks were built and what were some of the rare variants?
-A total of 1,350 Tiger I tanks were built between August 1942 and August 1944. Some of the rare variants included the Befehlspanzer Tiger, a command tank, and the Sturm Tiger, which featured a large self-propelled mortar.
Outlines
🐯 The Tiger I: A Legendary WWII Heavy Tank
The Tiger I, also known as the Panzer VI, was a formidable German heavy tank that struck fear in the hearts of the Allies during World War II. Its development began in 1938 as a replacement for the Panzer IV, with several prototypes being built. In 1941, Henschel was commissioned to create the VK 36.01, which was to have robust armor, a potent gun, and a top speed of 40 km/h. An order for a larger 45-ton tank, the VK 4501, was placed in May 1941, equipped with an 8.8 cm gun. The design was rushed to meet Hitler's birthday deadline in April 1942, resulting in the VK 4501 (H), which was eventually selected over Porsche's competing VK 4501 (P) design. The final tank incorporated parts from both Henschel and Porsche prototypes, with the Krupp turret and gun remaining unchanged. The Tiger I had a crew of five, including the commander, gunner, loader, driver, and radio operator. It featured thick armor ranging from 25 to 120 mm and wider tracks for improved cross-country traction. Powered by a V12 Maybach HL230 P45 gasoline engine, the tank had a top speed of 38 km/h. However, it suffered from an underpowered engine and a problematic overlapping wheel suspension that could become clogged with mud, especially on the Eastern Front where freezing conditions could immobilize the tank. The Tiger I's main armament was the deadly 88 mm KwK 36 gun, which could penetrate the armor of American M4 Sherman tanks, supplemented by two machine guns and smoke discharge canisters. The tank made its combat debut in Tunisia in late 1942, shocking the British forces. It was used on various fronts including Italy, Normandy, and the Eastern Front. It wasn't until mid-1944 that the Allies developed tanks capable of effectively engaging the Tiger I, such as the British Sherman Firefly and the Russian T-34/85. A total of 1,350 Tiger I tanks were built between August 1942 and August 1944, with rare variants including the command tank Befehlspanzer Tiger and the Sturm Tiger, equipped with a large self-propelled mortar.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Tiger I
💡Panzer IV
💡Henschel
💡VK 4501
💡8.8 cm gun
💡Maybach HL230 P45
💡Armour
💡MG34/MG42 machine guns
💡Smoke discharge canisters
💡Tunisia
💡Sherman Firefly
Highlights
The Tiger I tank was a feared machine by the Allies during World War II, known for its lethal firepower and excellent armour.
The Tiger I was developed to replace the Panzer IV, with the need dating back to 1938 and several prototypes being built.
In 1941, Henschel was commissioned to produce the VK 36.01, a tank with good armour, a powerful gun, and a maximum speed of 40 km/h.
The VK 4501, a 45-ton tank armed with an 8.8 cm gun, was ordered in May 1941 with a prototype deadline set for Hitler's birthday on April 20th, 1942.
The Henschel design, the VK 4501 (H), was chosen over Porsche's VK 4501 (P) for production after both met the deadline.
The final design of the Tiger I incorporated parts from previous Henschel and Porsche prototypes, with the Krupp turret and gun remaining unchanged.
The Tiger tank had a crew of five, including the commander, gunner, loader, driver, and radio operator.
The tank featured very thick armour, ranging from 25 to 120 mm, for excellent protection.
Wider tracks were fitted for improved traction during cross-country travel or combat preparation.
Powered by a V12 Maybach HL230 P45 gasoline engine, the 55-ton Tiger I had a top speed of 38 km/h.
The tank's overlapping wheel suspension was prone to clogging with mud, which could immobilize it, especially in the harsh conditions of the Eastern Front.
The Tiger I was armed with a deadly 88 mm KwK 36 gun capable of penetrating American M4 Sherman armor.
It also had two MG34 or MG42 machine guns, one coaxial and one in a ball turret, along with smoke discharge canisters on the turret.
The Tiger I first saw action in Tunisia in late 1942, shocking the British forces with its capabilities.
The tank was used on all fronts, including Italy, Normandy, and the Eastern Front.
By mid-1944, the Allies had developed tanks like the British Sherman Firefly and the Russian T-34/85 capable of effectively engaging the Tiger I.
Only 1,350 Tiger I tanks were built between August 1942 and August 1944.
Rare variants of the Tiger I included the Befehlspanzer Tiger command tank and the Sturm Tiger with a large self-propelled mortar.
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