Pz.Kpfw VI (Sd.Kfz.181) Tiger - German heavy tank of the Second World War, one of the most famous combat vehicles of that time. The idea of creating a powerful tank was in the minds of the German Panzerwaffe command from the beginning of the war, but the first attempts at creating a powerful Neubaufahrzeuge tank were not far off. In 1939 and 1940 they were carried out without result, but after the collision with the T-34 and KW-1 on the Eastern Front, work on the new important tank accelerated. On April 20, 1942, a prototype of a new tank designated VK 4501 (H) underwent field testing in the presence of Adolf Hitler and was soon launched into serial production. The first production versions were designated Pz.Kpfw VI Ausf.H1 (formerly Ausf.E). During the production process, in 1942-1945, the tank was systematically modified, for example, by adding Feifell saw filters, different headlight placements, modernization of optical equipment, change of commander's tower, etc. The following is provided. 12-cylinder carburetor engine Maybach HL230 P45 with a power of 700 hp. The Pz.Kpfw VI tank, although it did not have the same front hull shape as the T-34 or Pantera, was a heavily armored transport vehicle (frontal armor up to 120 mm), armed with a very effective KwK 36 L / 56 88 mm cartridge. , which earned a reputation as the most effective tank in the Second World War. This machine was much better than the Allied M4 or Churchill and the Russian T-34/76. He could also easily fight the IS-2 or M-26, outperforming them in terms of the effectiveness of the main weapon. On the other hand, the Pz.Kpfw VI had some shortcomings - firstly, it was extremely difficult to manufacture and had a very complex suspension. During the winter period of the war, the quality of the Tiger's armor also deteriorated, which was a consequence of the German economy's lack of access to sources of metal. Despite these shortcomings, the Tiger proved to be a very effective weapon on the battlefield. He fought successfully in Tunisia, on the Kursk Strait, in Normandy and on the Eastern Front. Technical data: length (with trunk): 8.45 m, width: 3.7 m, height: 2.93 m, engine power: 700 km, weight: 56.9 t, cruising range (on the highway): 100 km , maximum speed (on the highway) Speed: 38 km/h, armament: 1 88-mm KwK 36 L / 56 machine gun, 3 7.92-mm MG 34 machine guns.
