TIGER – World War II German Army Heavy Tank, full designation “Sonderkraftfahrzeug 181 Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausführung E”. Active in Africa and Europe from 1942, Tiger was the first tank-mounted application of high-velocity 88mm gun, Kampfwagenkanone “8.8cm KwK 36”.
Over 1,340 built from 1942 until 1944, when Tiger II was introduced and title “Tiger I” was applied to Tiger tank retrospectively. Although expensive to manufacture and heavy on fuel consumption, Tiger I had a fearsome reputation with the power to kill an enemy tank more than one mile away.
Features of Mid Production Tiger I were new turret with smaller commander’s cupola and rubber-rimmed road wheels.
Late Production Tiger I had steel road wheels.
