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Description
Overview:
Henschel first began conceptual design work on a replacement for the Pzkpfw-VI Ausf-E 'Tiger' in the spring of 1942. Originally known as the VK4502 (H), officials required the company's designers to rework the hull shape so that the new Tiger would have its 100mm thick front plates and 80mm thick side/rear plate's slope. Like the VK4502 (P), the vehicle would possess a turret mounting the new 8.8cm KwK L/71 gun. In October 1942, Henschel dropped the VK4502 (H) in favor of an improved design known as the VK4503. The new vehicle retained many of the same drive train parts as the Pzkpfw-VI Ausf-E. Early in 1944, the company received orders to increase the front armor thickness of the VK4503 to 150mm and to standardize as many components as possible with the Panther-II. Authorities originally planned for Tiger-II production to start in September 1943, but due to various problems, the first vehicle did not leave Henschel's plant until November. The first 50 Tiger-II chassis received the Krupp-Porsche Type-180 turrets. These differed from their original VK4502 (P) design by having hydraulic traverse instead of electric. Tiger-II began replacing Tiger-Is within Schwere Panzer Abteilungs in the spring of 1944. The vehicle eventually saw action in France, Holland, Central Europe, and East Europe fighting on until the end of the war.

Production:
Henschel delivered the following numbers of Pzkpfw-VI ausf-B per month:
1943:
Nov. 1/ Dec. 0/
1944:
Jan. 5/ Feb. 5/ Mar. 6/ Apr, 6/ May 15/ Jun. 32/ Jul. 45/ Aug. 94/ Sept. 63/ Oct. 26/ Nov. 26/ Dec. 56/
1945:
Jan. 40/ Feb. 42/ Mar. 30/
Total 491

Design:
The VK4503 'Tiger-II' had a completely different design compared to the VK4501 (H) 'Tiger-I, in fact it, in many respects, had more in common with the Pzkpfw-V 'Panther' than its ancestor. The VK4503 Tiger-II had a longer wider hull than the Tiger-I, and in contrast to its predecessor the vehicle had front, side and rear armor that sloped at angles up to 50 degrees. Similar to the Pzkpfw-V Panther, it had entrance hatches for the driver and radio operator mounted in a long rectangular armored plate bolted over the driver and radio operator's position just in front of the turret ring, by removing this plate repair crews could access the vehicle's transmission. The transmission, an eight-speed OG40/12/16/B mounted at the front of the hull, coupled to an ungoverned engine allowed the vehicle to attain a maximum speed of 41.5 kph on flat paved roads. However, governed engines only permitted the vehicle to reach 35 kph. The vehicle was maneuvered by a double-radius steering gear which enabled the vehicle to pivot in place by having each track move simultaneous in opposite directions (as opposed to the conventional means of the day - by stopping one track and moving the other). The Maybach HL 230P30 V12 gasoline engine, located at the rear of the hull, generated up to 600 horsepower at 2,500 RPM. A single large hatch provided access just above the engine's position. Two large fans situated on either side of the engine hatch drew air to cool the engine. To the rear of the engine, deck crewmembers could refuel the vehicle through a fuel outlet covered by a round armored cap. If needed, the entire rear deck could be unbolted to allow removal of the engine and cooling system. For the first fifty chassis, Tiger-II chassis received the same turret as the VK4502 (P) Krupp-Porsche Type-180. These turrets initially had only one major change made to allow mounting onto the Henschel chassis - the replacement of the original electric turret drive with a hydraulic version. The series turret, also designed by Krupp, had a number of simplified features: these included the elimination of the gap/ ledge under the front and sides and the replacement of the curved turret front with a single flat 180mm thick front plate. Other simplifications included the elimination of the bulge on the left side of the turret under the commander's cupola, welding the rear turret plate, and reducing the slope of the turret sides. Just like the VK4502(P) turret, the series version was equipped with a 8.8cm KwK L/71 and a coaxial MG-34, but designers reworked the gun-mantle to a standard 'Topfblende' or Pot-like mantle. A large fume extractor fan was located on the turret roof to the right of the commander's cupola. The suspension consisted of eight torsion bars per side each fitted with 80cm overlapping steel tired road wheels, a large rear idler, and a large front mounted drive-sprocket. Like other German vehicles, designers fit the rear idler to an offset bearing that the crew could rotate to change its position, thus acting as a track tension device. The crew consisted of five members - driver, radio-operator, gunner, loader, and commander. The driver sat at the front left side of the hull entering through a pivoting hatch above him. He had a large pivoting periscope to view his surroundings. The radio operator sat to the driver's right, having a ball mounted Kugelblende machine-gun and periscope for a forward view of his surroundings. He also entered the vehicle through a pivoting hatch just above him. The commander sat within the center left side of the turret behind the main armament. A cast cupola allowed access and, when buttoned-up during combat, a view through its seven periscopes. To the left of the main armament sat the gunner who viewed his surroundings through the main armament's gun sight. Across from the gunner, on the right side of the main armament sat the loader who was also responsible for working the coaxial machine-gun.

Series Modifications:
1944:
January:
¬ Addition of Zimmerit anti-magnetic paste to vehicles front, side and rear surfaces.
¬ Introduction of a new curved track guards.
¬ Introduction of a retractable schnorkel tube.
¬ Addition of sheet metal guards over the exhaust pipes.
February:
¬ Introduction of curved exhaust pipes.
¬ Addition of a coolant heater.
April:
¬ Notch cut out of edge of the glacis in front of the radio-operator's periscope.
¬ Addition of an armored turret ring guard.
¬ Replacement of the original Binocular guns sight with a monocular TZF-9/d gun sight.
¬ Replacement of the original monobloc 8.8cm KwK L/71 gun with a new two piece 8.8cm KwK L/71 gun.
¬ Elimination of the retractable schnorkel tube.
May:
¬ Introduction of new tracks that had a single cast interconnecting link.
¬ Introduction of new 9-toothed drive sprocket.
¬ Addition of a sighting vane to the commander's cupola.
¬ Elimination of sheet metal guards over the exhaust pipes.
June:
¬ Replacement of the original Krupp-Porsche Type-180 turret with a new, more heavily armored, series turret.
¬ Elimination of armored turret ring guard.
¬ Addition of Piltz sockets to the turret roof.
July:
¬ Addition of hangers on turret sides to allow attachment of extra track links.
¬ Replacement of the original 15mm thick loader's hatch with a new 40mm thick hatch.
August:
¬ Addition of armored covers over either side of the rear hatch hinge.
September:
¬ Addition of an armored cover over the schnorkel device opening.
¬ No longer adding Zimmerit anti-magnetic paste.
October:
¬ Elimination of jack and its mounts.
November:
¬ Addition of a rain guard to the gun sight aperture.
1945:
March:
¬ Replacement of the two-piece track link with a single-piece track link.
¬ Introduction of an 18-toothed drive sprocket.

Combat:
The army issued nearly all Tiger-IIs to the 501st, 503rd, 505th, 506th, 507th, 509th, 510th and 511th Heers Schwere Panzer Abteilungs and 501st, 502nd and 503rd SS Schwere Panzer Abteilungs. Throughout their operational history, from the summer of 1944 until the end of the war, Tigers-IIs saw action on the following fronts: Eastern Europe (SS-501st, SS-502nd, SS-503rd, 501st, 503rd, 505th, 509th, 511th ) and North Western & Central Europe (SS-501st, 503rd, 506th, 507th, 510th, 316th PzAbt.). Smaller numbers of Tiger-IIs fought within other formations such as Panzer Abteilung Kummersdorf/Müncheberg and Panzergruppe Paderborn, toward the very end of the war. Officials did not distinguish between the Tiger-II and Tiger-I in terms of Abteilung or Company makeup.

This drawing depicts the Pzkpfw-VI Ausf.B "Tiger-II" with the more common series production turret.

Description
Overview:
Henschel first began conceptual design work on a replacement for the Pzkpfw-VI Ausf-E 'Tiger' in the spring of 1942. Originally known as the VK4502 (H), officials required the company's designers to rework the hull shape so that the new Tiger would have its 100mm thick front plates and 80mm thick side/rear plate's slope. Like the VK4502 (P), the vehicle would possess a turret mounting the new 8.8cm KwK L/71 gun. In October 1942, Henschel dropped the VK4502 (H) in favor of an improved design known as the VK4503. The new vehicle retained many of the same drive train parts as the Pzkpfw-VI Ausf-E. Early in 1944, the company received orders to increase the front armor thickness of the VK4503 to 150mm and to standardize as many components as possible with the Panther-II. Authorities originally planned for Tiger-II production to start in September 1943, but due to various problems, the first vehicle did not leave Henschel's plant until November. The first 50 Tiger-II chassis received the Krupp-Porsche Type-180 turrets. These differed from their original VK4502 (P) design by having hydraulic traverse instead of electric. Tiger-II began replacing Tiger-Is within Schwere Panzer Abteilungs in the spring of 1944. The vehicle eventually saw action in France, Holland, Central Europe, and East Europe fighting on until the end of the war.

Production:
Henschel delivered the following numbers of Pzkpfw-VI ausf-B per month:
1943:
Nov. 1/ Dec. 0/
1944:
Jan. 5/ Feb. 5/ Mar. 6/ Apr, 6/ May 15/ Jun. 32/ Jul. 45/ Aug. 94/ Sept. 63/ Oct. 26/ Nov. 26/ Dec. 56/
1945:
Jan. 40/ Feb. 42/ Mar. 30/
Total 491

Design:
The VK4503 'Tiger-II' had a completely different design compared to the VK4501 (H) 'Tiger-I, in fact it, in many respects, had more in common with the Pzkpfw-V 'Panther' than its ancestor. The VK4503 Tiger-II had a longer wider hull than the Tiger-I, and in contrast to its predecessor the vehicle had front, side and rear armor that sloped at angles up to 50 degrees. Similar to the Pzkpfw-V Panther, it had entrance hatches for the driver and radio operator mounted in a long rectangular armored plate bolted over the driver and radio operator's position just in front of the turret ring, by removing this plate repair crews could access the vehicle's transmission. The transmission, an eight-speed OG40/12/16/B mounted at the front of the hull, coupled to an ungoverned engine allowed the vehicle to attain a maximum speed of 41.5 kph on flat paved roads. However, governed engines only permitted the vehicle to reach 35 kph. The vehicle was maneuvered by a double-radius steering gear which enabled the vehicle to pivot in place by having each track move simultaneous in opposite directions (as opposed to the conventional means of the day - by stopping one track and moving the other). The Maybach HL 230P30 V12 gasoline engine, located at the rear of the hull, generated up to 600 horsepower at 2,500 RPM. A single large hatch provided access just above the engine's position. Two large fans situated on either side of the engine hatch drew air to cool the engine. To the rear of the engine, deck crewmembers could refuel the vehicle through a fuel outlet covered by a round armored cap. If needed, the entire rear deck could be unbolted to allow removal of the engine and cooling system. For the first fifty chassis, Tiger-II chassis received the same turret as the VK4502 (P) Krupp-Porsche Type-180. These turrets initially had only one major change made to allow mounting onto the Henschel chassis - the replacement of the original electric turret drive with a hydraulic version. The series turret, also designed by Krupp, had a number of simplified features: these included the elimination of the gap/ ledge under the front and sides and the replacement of the curved turret front with a single flat 180mm thick front plate. Other simplifications included the elimination of the bulge on the left side of the turret under the commander's cupola, welding the rear turret plate, and reducing the slope of the turret sides. Just like the VK4502(P) turret, the series version was equipped with a 8.8cm KwK L/71 and a coaxial MG-34, but designers reworked the gun-mantle to a standard 'Topfblende' or Pot-like mantle. A large fume extractor fan was located on the turret roof to the right of the commander's cupola. The suspension consisted of eight torsion bars per side each fitted with 80cm overlapping steel tired road wheels, a large rear idler, and a large front mounted drive-sprocket. Like other German vehicles, designers fit the rear idler to an offset bearing that the crew could rotate to change its position, thus acting as a track tension device. The crew consisted of five members - driver, radio-operator, gunner, loader, and commander. The driver sat at the front left side of the hull entering through a pivoting hatch above him. He had a large pivoting periscope to view his surroundings. The radio operator sat to the driver's right, having a ball mounted Kugelblende machine-gun and periscope for a forward view of his surroundings. He also entered the vehicle through a pivoting hatch just above him. The commander sat within the center left side of the turret behind the main armament. A cast cupola allowed access and, when buttoned-up during combat, a view through its seven periscopes. To the left of the main armament sat the gunner who viewed his surroundings through the main armament's gun sight. Across from the gunner, on the right side of the main armament sat the loader who was also responsible for working the coaxial machine-gun.

Series Modifications:
1944:
January:
¬ Addition of Zimmerit anti-magnetic paste to vehicles front, side and rear surfaces.
¬ Introduction of a new curved track guards.
¬ Introduction of a retractable schnorkel tube.
¬ Addition of sheet metal guards over the exhaust pipes.
February:
¬ Introduction of curved exhaust pipes.
¬ Addition of a coolant heater.
April:
¬ Notch cut out of edge of the glacis in front of the radio-operator's periscope.
¬ Addition of an armored turret ring guard.
¬ Replacement of the original Binocular guns sight with a monocular TZF-9/d gun sight.
¬ Replacement of the original monobloc 8.8cm KwK L/71 gun with a new two piece 8.8cm KwK L/71 gun.
¬ Elimination of the retractable schnorkel tube.
May:
¬ Introduction of new tracks that had a single cast interconnecting link.
¬ Introduction of new 9-toothed drive sprocket.
¬ Addition of a sighting vane to the commander's cupola.
¬ Elimination of sheet metal guards over the exhaust pipes.
June:
¬ Replacement of the original Krupp-Porsche Type-180 turret with a new, more heavily armored, series turret.
¬ Elimination of armored turret ring guard.
¬ Addition of Piltz sockets to the turret roof.
July:
¬ Addition of hangers on turret sides to allow attachment of extra track links.
¬ Replacement of the original 15mm thick loader's hatch with a new 40mm thick hatch.
August:
¬ Addition of armored covers over either side of the rear hatch hinge.
September:
¬ Addition of an armored cover over the schnorkel device opening.
¬ No longer adding Zimmerit anti-magnetic paste.
October:
¬ Elimination of jack and its mounts.
November:
¬ Addition of a rain guard to the gun sight aperture.
1945:
March:
¬ Replacement of the two-piece track link with a single-piece track link.
¬ Introduction of an 18-toothed drive sprocket.

Combat:
The army issued nearly all Tiger-IIs to the 501st, 503rd, 505th, 506th, 507th, 509th, 510th and 511th Heers Schwere Panzer Abteilungs and 501st, 502nd and 503rd SS Schwere Panzer Abteilungs. Throughout their operational history, from the summer of 1944 until the end of the war, Tigers-IIs saw action on the following fronts: Eastern Europe (SS-501st, SS-502nd, SS-503rd, 501st, 503rd, 505th, 509th, 511th ) and North Western & Central Europe (SS-501st, 503rd, 506th, 507th, 510th, 316th PzAbt.). Smaller numbers of Tiger-IIs fought within other formations such as Panzer Abteilung Kummersdorf/Müncheberg and Panzergruppe Paderborn, toward the very end of the war. Officials did not distinguish between the Tiger-II and Tiger-I in terms of Abteilung or Company makeup.

This drawing depicts the Pzkpfw-VI Ausf.B "Tiger-II" with the more common series production turret.