Special Sub-Topic: Tiger 1 Tank Click Here To Play: Tiger 1 Tank

What technical designation was the Tiger tank given?

PzKpfw VI. The Tiger tank was designated PzKpfw VI. For those that do not know what "PzKpfw" stands for, it means "Panzerkampfwagen", German for "Armored battle car".

What size of main gun did the Tiger 1 carry?

88mm. The Tiger 1 carried a main cannon with a diameter of 88mm. This cannon was extremely effective against the M4 Sherman tank's 2 inches of armor.

Approximately how many Tiger 1 tanks were produced during the war?

1,350. There were approximately 1350 Tiger tanks produced in the years 1942-1944, not nearly as many as the Panzer IV and Panther tanks.

On average, how many Sherman tanks were wasted for every Tiger 1 that they destroyed?

11. The U.S. Army lost approximately 11 Sherman tanks for every Tiger 1 that they destroyed. Even though Shermans were smaller and faster, they also had thinner armor and a smaller bored gun.

What company produced Tiger 1 tanks for the Wehrmacht?

Henschel. Henschel manufactured Tiger 1 tanks for the Germans, although Volkswagen and Porsche both manufactured other motor vehicles for the military during the war. Specifications were originally released to Henschel, Porsche, MAN, and Daimler-Benz, but Henschel's design was selected for immediate production.

How heavy was the average Tiger 1 tank?

55 tons. A standard-outfitted Tiger 1 tank weighed in at approximately 55 tons, and its 700 hp, V12 Maybach engine enabled it to reach a top speed of around 23 mph. There were only two variants of the Tiger 1 produced, the main battle tank, and one equipped with heavy rocket launchers (only ten of the these latter were ever produced).

Which German tank commander was considered to be the best Tiger 1 commander of his time?

Michael Wittman. SS-Haupsturmfuehrer Michael Wittmann, also known as "The Tiger Ace" received the Knight's Cross for his outstanding service to the Fatherland. During his service, he destroyed a total of 141 tanks, and 132 anti-tank guns. He died August 8, 1944 when his tank was attacked and destroyed by a British Sherman VC "Firefly" tank.

Was a Tiger 1 ever sold to an army outside of Germany?

y. A single Tiger 1 tank was purchased by the Japanese army for 625,000 Reichsmarks including radio gear and ammunition, but the tank was never shipped due to "wartime conditions". It was loaned to the Wehrmacht for service. By the way, the Japanese paid almost double the usual rate for their tank, which normally cost the Wehrmacht 300,000 Reichsmarks (fully equipped).

Which allied weapon was really the only serious match for the Tiger 1?

M-36 Tank Buster. The M-36 Tank Buster, with its 90 mm cannon, was a formidable match for a Tiger 1 tank. Any of the allied tanks could hit a Tiger with many shells before crippling it, but the 90 mm gun of the M-36 could punch through the 5 inches of armor like it was warm butter. A soldier could rarely get close enough to a Tiger 1 to plant demolitions on it, or use a light anti-tank weapon (LAW). The 105 mm howitzer was field artillery, and could rarely deliver a shell with close enough accuracy to disable a moving tank.

Which tank replaced the Tiger 1 as the front line heavy battle tank for the German forces during the war?

King Tiger. The Tiger II, or King Tiger, gradually replaced the Tiger 1 in 1945. The Tiger 1 was taken out of service due to many complex field repair issues. Because the Tiger 1 was hurried into production, many of the initial bugs were never worked out. The tank was seriously underpowered, and its slow turret traverse speed made it very vulnerable to flank attacks. The tracks and suspension were also very unreliable, and something a small as a 2 inch tree could possibly throw a track. Because the tank was so heavy, it also had a very limited range - approximately 100 km on a smooth run and 60 km cross-country.