The Tiger I originated from competition between Henschel, Porsche, MAN and Daimler-Benz to produce a heavy tank. The winner was Henschel, and the new vehicle entered production in August 1942. It was the first tank to be fitted with an overlapping road wheel suspension, arranged with triple overlapping and interleaved steel wheels. The Tiger had eight independently sprung torsion bar axles on each side. The result was a very stable and soft ride for such a large tank. However, the interleaved wheels became clogged with mud in wet conditions, which then jammed the wheels if temperatures dropped below freezing.
The hull was divided into four compartments: the forward two housed the driver and hull gunner/radio operator; the centre was the fighting compartment, and the engine compartment was at the rear. To simplify assembly and allow the use of armour plate, flat sections were use throughout the hull. The ballistic characteristics of the KwK 36 gun were similar to the famous “88” anti-aircraft gun. The main modifications were the addition of a muzzle brake and electric firing. Early Tigers were fitted with “S” mine dischargers (though from 1943 a close-defence weapon was fitted in the turret roof), and were equipped with snorkels for submerged wading. Some 1354 Tiger I’s were produced to August 1943.
Specifications
- Designation
- SdKfz 181
- Type
- Heavy Tank
- Length
- 8.45m (27.72ft)
- Width
- 3.7m (12.13ft)
- Height
- 2.93m (9.61ft)
- Weight
- 57,000kg (125,400lb)
- Crew
- Five
- Main Armament
- 88mm
- Secondary Armament
- 2 x 7.92mm
- Engine
- Maybach HL210P45
- Range
- 140km (87.5 miles)
- Speed
- 38km/h (23.75mph)
- Fording
- 1.56m (5.1ft)
- Trench Crossing
- 2.29m (7.51ft)
- Armour (hull)
- 100mm (3.93in)
- Armour (turret/superstructure)
- 100mm (3.93in)