Panzerjager Tiger (P) or SdKfz 184
country germany
Type :self-propelled tank destroyer.
Crew :6 men.
Armament :an 8.8 cm PaK 43/2 L/71 gun.
Shielding :minimum 30mm; max 200mm.
Dimensions:
length: 6.8m:
width: 3.38m;
height: 3 m.
Weight: 68 t.
Ground Pressure: 1.24 kg/cm2.
Mass power: 9.56 bhp.
Engine: 2 Maybach HL 120 TR V-12 in-line water-cooled gasoline engines, each developing 320 hp at 3,000 rpm.
Performance:
road speed: 20 km/h;
off-road speed: 17 km/h,
autonomy: 150 km,
vertical obstacle. 0.78m;
clean cut. 3.2m;
ford: 1.22 m;
slope 22%.
Service time: in the German army from 1943 to 1944.
The enthusiasm of the Germans for the competitions prior to the manufacture of their armored vehicles presented some negative aspects and among others, the inevitable problem of the unfortunate competitor who finds himself with, on his hands, a certain number of completed vehicles which no one wants.
When Porsche lost the Tiger I contract, it already had over 90 chassis in various stages of completion. So as not to throw them away for no benefit to anyone, he decided to take them as a starting point in the design of a self-propelled vehicle whose size and power would make a formidable tank destroyer.
Only two real prototypes had been built for the contest and the remaining hulls received the necessary modifications to adapt them to the new specifications. Thus the length of the gun chosen, the L/71 of 88 mm, prohibited any plan situating the piece above the center of the combat chamber. The design therefore had to be reviewed.
The two engines were moved forward to the middle of the hull, and the combat chamber was placed aft, in front of the electrical transmission system. A superstructure of impressive dimensions was erected at the rear of the hull, giving the armor as much slope as possible.
The cannon came to rest there. Even in these circumstances, the cantilever of the tube reached 1.22 m. The hull was low, flat-topped, and very much like the Tiger Henschel, with the same distinctive sign, the "snout" of the faceplates.
The interior of the superstructure offered a very good habitability:at the front right a cupola was at the disposal of the skipper. Access to the vehicle was via a circular hatch pierced in the rear plate, this hatch constituting one of the few openings in the armour.
All joints overlapped and all were welded. The suspension included three pairs of road wheels on each side, mounted on three torsion bars. The wheels were steel-rimmed and of a certain resilience to ensure, as far as possible, a certain flexibility when starting.
This undercarriage did not have support rollers and the tension wheel. at the front was raised to facilitate the crossing of terrestrial obstacles. The two Maybach engines were coupled to a Siemens Schuckert electric generator and each sprocket was driven by an electric motor The steering was to be assisted by hydropneumatic motors but, as it was not necessary to change gears, the work of the driver was facilitated .
The enormous cannon, supplied with 50 rounds. allowed the Eletant to knock out most Allied tanks and other armor at ranges where any real riposte was impossible. but the manufacturers committed the incredible blunder of not providing any other armament, not even a single machine gun for close defense. The omission was repaired on the latest versions and the radio operator, installed next to the driver, received a hull machine gun mounted on a ball joint, but the weapon
could only cover a limited azimuth , had little tactical flexibility.
The phenomenal thickness of the armor made the Elephant invulnerable to any frontal attack but, as it paid for this advantage with a great excess of weight and pressure on the ground. it was in danger of getting stuck at any time... It soon became apparent that careful reconnaissance was essential before any movement of the vehicle, whether on the road or off-road. The General Staff expected a lot from this highly specialized tank destroyer and two battalions of Elefant were hastily sent to Russia and thrown into the battle of Kursk.
They led the breakthrough there but to be surrounded on the rear and almost annihilated. Less recklessly employed in the role of mobile blockhouses, they made a name for themselves on other battlefields in the East as well as in Italy.