German Tiger Tank

Photo Gallery of the Tiger Tank

Photo Gallery

An early production model, spring 1943 in Kursk. Note the rather tall commander's cupola and the top opening hatches which were characteristics of the early production tanks. Spare track links were carried in the front of the tank's hull. Photo courtesy of Hetsar (private collector). Another frontal shot of an early production model. Smoke dischargers are also visible on the turret sides. The commander's cupola used bulletproof glass which severely limited visibility from within the fighting compartment. A unit being transported on rails. These war monsters needed two sets of tracks; one for transporation and one for combat. The combat tracks are rolled up in front during rail transportation and had to be outfitted again during unloading. This is a mid production tank #319. The commander's cupola has been shortened with the bulletproof glass now replaced with seven periscopes. The hatch now swivels to the side. The rubber rimmed wheels are still retained in the mid production, but the outer wheels are often removed. Smoke dischargers were also discontinued in the mid production series. Unit number 111 crossing a bridge in Tunisia, December 1943. The bridge was named after Major Loewe, the panzer commander of PzAbt.501 who was later killed in action. A battalion of Tigers being transported by rail. This is the early version model. Their combat tracks can be seen rolled up in front. A late production series. The rubber rimmed road wheels were replaced with steel wheels. The gun sight was also changed to a TZF9c monocular. Spare tracks were also carried on the turret sides from the mid-production onwards. Lenigrad, 1943. A member of sPzAbt 502 advances on a road through a russian village. Pictured behind a Schwimwagen, this particular unit still uses the TZF9b binocular gun sight, clearly visible with the two holes on the left of the gun mantlet. Tank number 131 of sPzAbt 101, Normandy, July 1944. A field applied camouflage of dark green and red brown over a base dark yellow was a common cammouflage pattern. In winter, some tanks carried a flat white wash brushed over the base color. Same photo as above, but with digital color rendering. The original photo is black and white. In this photo, German engineers change a Tiger's tracks from transport tracks to combat tracks. This was a tedious task frowned by the engineers. The tracks alone weighed 2.5 tons. You can see the wheels dismantled and lying on the ground. Normandy, late 1944. Zimmerit coating, an anti-magnetic mine paste was applied to the vertical surfaces of the hull and turret to prevent magnetic mines from sticking to the hull. This practice was later discontinued when there were reports that it ignited fires when hit by a shell. World War 2 leading tanker ace, SS-Hauptsturmführer (captain) Michael Wittman briefing his tank commanders, Normandy 1944. Decorated with the prestigious Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, Michael Wittman destroyed 138 allied tanks and 132 anti-tank guns during his career. A unit of the 101st SS Schwere-Panzer Abteilung (Heavy Panzer battalion), which Michael Wittman was part of. The 101st saw action in Russia and Normandy. An excellent shot of the typical dark green/red brown camouflage which was very common in Normandy. In the background is a SdKfz rocket launcher, in support of the battallion. If I remember correctly, this was taken shortly before Operation Zitadelle. Feifel air cleaners located on the back of the hull above the engine compartment were fitted for units operating in tropical environments like in Africa. These air filters were not fitted for units destined for European destinations. A variation of the Tiger 1, the Bergetiger was converted as a recovery vehicle used to tow distressed tanks from the battlefield. It is equipped with a crane instead of a gun. Tunisia, North Africa. This picture shows the first unit, an early production model captured by allied forces. To their dismay, the allies discovered that it was an excellent gun platform, superior to any allied tank currently fielded. It now resides in Aberdeen Proving grounds museum. Das Reich Tiger defending Kharkov from the impending Russian onslaught, February 1943. Tiger 223 and 224 marches on a road during the Normandy assault. This is a late Tiger with the zimmerit coating, steel wheels and the typical green/brown Normandy camouflage. This famed monument known as the Vimoutiers Tiger, sits facing west, close to the town of Vimoutiers, France. It was blown up by their own crew after they had ran out of fuel, shortly after the allied advance in Normandy. This was taken in Bovington museum. Disabled by a round from a Sherman, the shell hit exactly in the ridge below the gun mantlet and the upper hull, thereby jamming the turret. The crew bailed out and it was subsequently captured. The dent right under the gun mantlet is still visible and can be seen when zoomed in.

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