The Tiger II, or Kingtiger (Bengal Tiger), was more
derived from the Panther than the Tiger, in spite of its name. The design followed
the same concept as the Tiger I, but was intended to be even more formidable.
The Tiger II chassis supplied the basis for the Jagdtiger turretless tank destroyer.
The Tiger II weighed 68,5 to 69,8 tons, was protected by 150 to 180 mm of frontal
armor, and was armed with the 88 mm KwK 43 L/71 gun. This was the most powerful
gun carried by any WW2 tank.
The very heavy armor and powerful, long-range
gun gave the Tiger II the advantage against virtually all opposing tanks. This
was especially true on the Western Front, where the British and US forces had
almost no heavy tanks with which to oppose it. In a defensive position it was
difficult to destroy. Offensively it performed with less success, and its performance
was a great disappointment to Hitler when it first saw action.
The Tiger
II was developed late in the war and made in relatively small numbers (about 560
total). Like all German tanks, it had a gasoline engine. However, this same engine
powered the much lighter Panther and Tiger I tanks. The Tiger II was under-powered,
like many heavy tanks of WW2, and consumed a lot of fuel.
