History, technical details and pictures

Panzer VI Königstiger history

The study of the Panzerkampfwagen (PzKpfw) VI Königstiger tank design begins in May 1941 and continued until 1943. . Designed by the German company Henschel, the purpose of this new tank is to replace the Tiger tanks. The first units were delivered in early 1944 and its first combat situation began in May of that year at the Battle of Minsk.

The "Royal Tiger" tank has an extraordinary mass (almost 70 tons). Indeed, engineers wanted to improve the characteristics of the Tiger tank, and so have multiplied the additions (the shield, including frontal, was greatly enhanced), options and modernized equipment that have already proved their worth, resulting in a considerable increase in its mass.

Therefore, mobility and autonomy of the Tiger II tank were significantly reduced. To overcome these weaknesses, its armament was strengthened. Its 88 mm gun can fire up to 10 kilometers, and bore all types of armor known so far.

During the Battle of Normandy, the Tiger II was the terror of Allied troops. So much so that only the air force and navy were able to destroy them. Winner of all the duels, it had never been destroyed by a front fire, but only by close and flank fires.

489 copies of the Royal Tiger tank were built during the Second World War. This model was one of the best tanks of this period.

Panzer VI Königstiger sheet

Country creator/user: Germany
Name: PzKpfw VI Königstiger

Rate of fire: 10,28 m
Width: 3,65 m
Height: 3,09 m
Weigth: 69 800 kg
Maximum speed: 41 km/h
Range: 110 km

Main gun: 88 mm gun
Secondary armament: three MG 34 or MG 42 machine guns

Engine: V12 Maybach HL 230 P30, 700 hp
Consumption: 487 L for 100 km.

Crew: 5 (1 tank commander, 1 pilote, 1 co-pilote and gunner, 1 radio operator and loader)

Front shield: 150 mm
Rear shield: 80 mm