The term "Tiger tank" primarily refers to two distinct heavy tank designs used by Nazi Germany during World War II: the Tiger I and the Tiger II. Each variant was armed with a powerful 8.8 cm main gun, though they differed significantly in their specific models and capabilities.
The Tiger I (Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E)
The original Tiger I heavy tank, officially known as the Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E, was formidable for its time. Its primary armament was the 8.8 cm KwK 36 L/56 gun. This gun was a highly effective anti-tank weapon, capable of penetrating the armor of most Allied tanks encountered during the war, even at long ranges. The "8.8 cm" refers to the bore diameter, while "KwK" stands for Kampfwagenkanone (fighting vehicle cannon), and "L/56" indicates the gun's barrel length was 56 times its caliber.
The KwK 36 was renowned for its accuracy and flat trajectory, making it a dreaded opponent on the battlefield. It typically carried around 92 rounds of ammunition.
The Tiger II (Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. B)
The successor to the Tiger I was the Tiger II, also known as the Königstiger (King Tiger). This tank featured heavier armor and an even more powerful main gun: the 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71. This gun was a significant upgrade from the KwK 36 found on the Tiger I.
The "L/71" designation indicates a much longer barrel, 71 times its caliber, which translated to higher muzzle velocity, greater accuracy, and significantly improved armor penetration capabilities. The KwK 43 could effectively engage and destroy most Allied tanks from extreme distances, often beyond the range at which Allied tanks could effectively retaliate.
Ammunition Capacity
The ammunition capacity for the Tiger II's 8.8 cm KwK 43 varied slightly depending on the turret design:
- Early Krupp design turrets were capable of carrying 80 rounds.
- Production turrets (often associated with Henschel design) had an increased capacity, typically holding 86 rounds.
This powerful armament, combined with its heavy armor, made the Tiger II one of the most feared tanks of World War II.
Main Gun Comparison
Here's a quick comparison of the main guns on the two primary Tiger tank variants:
| Feature | Tiger I (Pz.Kpfw. VI Tiger Ausf. E) | Tiger II (Pz.Kpfw. VI Tiger Ausf. B) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Gun Model | 8.8 cm KwK 36 L/56 | 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 |
| Barrel Length | 56 calibers | 71 calibers |
| Performance | Excellent | Superior |
| Typical Rounds | ~92 rounds | 80-86 rounds |
Both guns utilized high-explosive (HE) and armor-piercing (AP) rounds, providing versatility against both armored targets and infantry or soft targets. The evolution from the KwK 36 to the KwK 43 showcased the German focus on increasing firepower to counter increasingly armored Allied tanks.
