The Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. B Tiger, also commonly refered to as the Köningstiger, King Tiger, Royal Tiger or Tiger II tank first saw production in the latter part of 1943, with the first prototypes. Many modifications were made to it throughout its production until the end of 1945. The tank seen here is fitted with a Krupp turret designated popularly as the “Henschel” version, with a slightly sloped flat shape at the front. The previous curved version was changed to prevent a shot-trap scenario and is designated as the “Porsche” version but also was manufactured by Krupp. In total, 492 “Tiger II” were produced. This vehicle was captured intact, abandoned by its crew, and brought back to the United States for study by the US Army, where the cut-aways were made on its turret and hull.
The Tiger II weighs in at a hefty 69.8 tonnes and is armed with a formidable 88 mm (3.46 in) KwK43 L/71, with up to 86 rounds carried, and two or three 7.92 mm (3 in) MG 34 machine guns. Its armor ranged from 25mm to 180mm (1-7 in). It was manned by a crew of five and was powered by a V12 Maybach HL230 P30 690hp petrol engine, which could bring it to a designed maxiumum road speed of 41.5km/h (25.8mph). Typically, however, in cross country conditions, it could be expected to move at 15-20 km/h (12.4mph). It had an operational range of 170 km (110 miles).
This vehicle bears the hull number 280243 and the tactical number 332. It belonged to the Schwere SS Panzerabteilung 501 (Heavy SS Tank Unit 501) which was part of the infamous Kampfgruppe Peiper, and resides now at the National Armor and Cavalry Museum at Ft. Benning in Georgia, USA.
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