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[[File:3510642872 ce46a673fa.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Tiger I]]

[[File:3510642872 ce46a673fa.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Tiger I]]

The '''Tiger I''' heavy tank (''Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E''), also known simply the Tiger tank, was a ''[[Panzer]]'' used by the German Army. It was one of the most famous and feared mobile armored vehicles deployed during [[World War II]]. It combined thick armor with a very powerful main gun, the 88 mm (8.8 cm) KwK 36 L/56.

The '''Tiger I''' heavy tank (''Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E''), also known simply the Tiger tank, was a ''[[Panzer]]'' used by the German Army. It was one of the most famous and feared mobile armored vehicles deployed during [[World War II]]. It combined thick armor with a very powerful main gun, the 88 mm (8.8 cm) KwK 36 L/56.

   

   

== History ==

== History ==

   

   

== Design and production ==

== Design and production ==

Early in the developmental phase, three companies were chosen to design the heavy tank. Henschel and Porsche would compete for the hull and chassis design, while Krupp would be in charge of turret design. Placing the powerful FlaK 18/ 36 88 mm (8.8 cm) gun onto a heavily armored, fully enclosed tank became a high priority of the German High Command. Therefore, the 88 mm KwK 36 L/56 varient was made for the Tiger tank.

Early in the developmental phase, three companies were chosen to design the heavy tank. Henschel and Porsche would compete for the hull and chassis design, while Krupp would be in charge of turret design. Placing the powerful FlaK 18/ 36 88 mm (8.8 cm) gun onto a heavily armored, fully enclosed tank became a high priority of the German High Command. Therefore, the 88 mm KwK 36 L/56 varient was made for the Tiger tank.

   

   

Constant mechanical and electric failure plagued the Porsche design. Henschel’s design with a conventional gas engine won out. Maybach supplied the engine. The ''Tiger I Ausf E'' first came off Henschel’s assembly line on April 1942. The large 88 mm KwK 36 L/56 gun was placed in a turret slightly forward of the centerline of the hull. It had secondary armament by way of two MG34 machine guns. Throughout its life the Tiger I underwent numerous refinements and modifications. There were changes in track design, the commander cupola, optics, road wheels, the exhaust and cooling systems. Beginning in late 1943 Tiger I tanks could be identified by the anti-magnetic Zimmerit paste on all vertical surfaces. The Tiger tank was expensive to build when compared to other tanks, such as, the [[M4 Sherman]] and Russian T-34 tanks. Further it required greater time-consuming man hours to produce. For every German Tiger I or King Tiger tank that was produced, 50 Shermans were made. The Tiger I also had mechanical problems due to its complex design.

Constant mechanical and electric failure plagued the Porsche design. Henschel’s design with a conventional gas engine won out. Maybach supplied the engine. The ''Tiger I Ausf E'' first came off Henschel’s assembly line on April 1942. The large 88 mm KwK 36 L/56 gun was placed in a turret slightly forward of the centerline of the hull. It had secondary armament by way of two MG34 machine guns. Throughout its life the Tiger I underwent numerous refinements and modifications. There were changes in track design, the commander cupola, optics, road wheels, the exhaust and cooling systems. Beginning in late 1943 Tiger I tanks could be identified by the anti-magnetic Zimmerit paste on all vertical surfaces. The Tiger tank was expensive to build when compared to other tanks, such as, the [[M4 Sherman]] and Russian T-34 tanks. Further it required greater time-consuming man hours to produce. For every German Tiger I or King Tiger tank that was produced, 50 Shermans were made. The Tiger I also had mechanical problems due to its complex design.

=== Combat ===

=== Combat ===

''Panzer VI TIGER I mit 8.8 cm KwK 36 L/56 (Sd Kfz 181) Ausf E'':

''Panzer VI TIGER I mit 8.8 cm KwK 36 L/56 (Sd Kfz 181) Ausf E'':

*L: 620 cm

*L: 620 cm

*B: 373 cm

*B: 373 cm

*H: 286 cm

*H: 286 cm

*HP: 700

*HP: 700

*Wt.: 56.9 tons

*Wt.: 56.9 tons

*Armor: 25 to 120 mm

*Armor: 25 to 120 mm

*Crew: 5

*Crew: 5

*Speed: 24 mph

*Speed: 24 mph

== References ==

== References ==