Tiger part 3

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Along with the systematic development of the German armored forces, work on a heavy tank were continuing. Initially tank PzKpfw IV was classified as heavy tanks. Comparing with heavy tanks build in the Soviet Union KV, IS or in France Char B1 bis, German PzKpfw IV was at best medium tank. Work on a heavy tank was carried out in Germany already in 1925. Rheinmetall developed a project of the tank known under the designation NbFz (Neubaufahrzeug). Tank weight tank was 23t. The tank had Maybach HL 108 TR engine. Main armament was a 75 mm cannon KwK L/24 or alternatively 105mm, 10,5 cm cannon KwK L/28. Cannon was installed with 37 mm cannon on the main tower, additional weapons were MG13 machine guns mounted in two towers at front and rear of the tank body. The tank was produced in small series, mass production was not started most likely due to the complicated technology and the high costs of each tank. Project was continued. In early January 1937 Henschel started project of tank DW1 (Durchbuchswagen). Tank weight was 30t. Tank maximum speed was 35 km/h. Also Henschel developed project of tank marked as VK 6501 (H). The tank was to have the weight of 65t. Armament consisted of 7,5 cm KWK L/24 gun. Fortunately for the German armored troops project of this tank was aborted, because of technical difficulties connected with the production. It is difficult to imagine driving such colossus during spring thaws on the eastern front. Germany tried to find another solution. In May 1941 it was decided to design a self-propelled large-caliber gun. A prototype of self-propelled gun based on PzKpfw IV tank was created and as armament was used equipment for 105 mm caliber gun. The second project aimed to use 12,8 cm KwK 40 L/61 gun. That is how cannon marked as Pz. Sfl V was created. Only two pieces were built, which were used on the Eastern Front. Hitler himself was involved in creation of new tank. Dictator request to change cannon (caliber 75 mm) for 88 mm caliber gun and when Nibelugenwerke prepared body of the tank VK 3001 (P), gun was not even installed, because Krupp company prepared tower with 88 mm cannon, and tower was just too big. Hitler’s obsession regarding strong armor has led to the fact that the design work was delayed, and on the front German crews had to struggle in their Panzer IV with the Soviet T-34. Finally two prototypes VK 4501 (H) and VK 4501 (P) were created. In Tiger (P ) were used two engines Simmerign-Gratz-Pauker, type 101/1 with a power of 200 hp. Chassis was driven by Siemens-Porsche electro-mechanical transmission. Thickness of the tank amour was in ranged from 30 mm to 100 mm. Tank VK 4501 (H) was development of an earlier VK 3601 (H) construction, both tanks were to be presented on the Hitler birthday 20 April 1942, on the firing range near Ketrzyn (Rastenburg). At the morning of 20 April 1942, both tanks joined the trials at the training ground. At the beginning speed trial was held, from which the winner was Dr. Porsche tank. Then took place maneuver test: this time in turn won the Henschel tank. After these tests, Hitler decided that both tanks will undergo further tests. Trials at the training ground took place in May in Berka. In the competition winner was Henschel tank, Porsche tank, which had complicated drive showed a very high failure rate, which in front conditions would even more noticeable. The winning tank came to production under the designation PzKpfw VI Tiger Ausf H1 (after incorporation of Tiger II tanks designation was changed to the Ausf E). Tank Tiger ausf H1 was powered by Maybach HL 210 P45 engine with 650hp power. The series production started in Wegman AG and Henschel plants. During the series production a number of modifications was implemented. In the first Tiger tanks from serial production escape hatch was on the right side of tower, which was later enlarged . Another modifications were connected with position of the headlights and smoke grenade launchers. For tanks of late series was introduced additional armor of optical viewfinder, also shape of exhaust pipes shields was change. The main visual change was modification of the shape of the commander cupola from flanking tower type to tower, which had Tiger II tanks. Last 800 tanks had a wheels entirely made of steel.