Tiger II - Definition and Overview

The Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. B or Tiger II or Königstiger (widely translated as "King Tiger", however, the Königstiger in German refers to the Royal Bengal species of Tiger) was a German heavy tank of World War II, which was derived from the Pzkw VI Tiger I. This armored fighting vehicle weighed 68 tons, was protected by 185mm of frontal armor, and was armed with the 88mm KwK 43 L71.

The very heavy armour and extremely powerful gun made the Tiger II superior to any British or American tanks on the Western front. It was also more than a match for nearly all Russian tanks on the Eastern front. The late development and small numbers of the Konigstiger prevented it playing a crucial role in the war effort.

Mechanical Maladies

The Tiger II's were sent directly from factories into combat. As a result of the abandonment of post-production testing and preliminary trials, these tanks had numerous technical issues. Notably, the steering control would break down under the stress of the vehicle's weight. In addition, not only were the engines prone to overheating and failure, but they were also considered to be extremely fuel inefficient. Explained Henschel & Son's chief designer Erwin Adlers, "The breakdowns can be attributed to the fact that the Tiger II had to go straight into series production without the benefit of test results."

External links

• Pictures of King Tiger at battletanks.com (http://www.battletanks.com/new_page_22.htm)