tiger 2

Intro Got it — you’re asking about the Tiger II, also known as the K?nigstiger (King Tiger or Royal Tiger), the German heavy tank from World War II. Here’s a detailed breakdown: --- General Overview Full designation: Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. B (Sd.Kfz. 182) Common names: Tiger II, King Tiger, K?nigstiger (German for Bengal Tiger but often translated as Royal Tiger). Role: Heavy tank. In service: 1944–1945 (Nazi Germany). Manufacturer: Henschel (main production), Porsche (developed an alternative turret design). --- Design & Features Armor: Frontal armor up to 150–180 mm, sloped for deflection. Side armor ~80 mm. Nearly invulnerable to Allied tank guns from the front at normal combat ranges. Armament: Main gun: 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 — one of the most powerful tank guns of WWII. Effective against all Allied armor, could destroy tanks like Sherman, T-34/85, IS-2, and even at long ranges (>2 km). Secondary armament: 2 × 7.92 mm MG34 machine guns. Mobility: Engine: Maybach HL 230 P30 V-12 petrol (700 hp). Top speed: ~41.5 km/h (26 mph) on roads; much slower cross-country. Weight: ~69–70 tons. Track & suspension: Designed for heavy armor, but prone to mechanical failures. --- Turrets There were two turret types: 1. Porsche turret (early production): Rounded front with a shot trap (deflecting shells downwards). Fewer produced. 2. Henschel turret (standard production): Simpler, more effective design with flat front armor. Became the main production model. --- Operational History Entered service in mid-1944. First saw combat in Normandy (July 1944). Later used on the Eastern Front (notably in Hungary and Poland). Excelled in defense and long-range engagements but suffered from: High fuel consumption. Frequent breakdowns (transmission, final drives). Difficulty in transport (too heavy for many bridges). --- Production Built: ~489 units between January 1944 – March 1945. Far fewer than lighter tanks like the Pan