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Description

On 21 May 1942, Henschel and Porsche at a meeting in Germany were asked to submit designs for a 45 ton heavy tank capable of mounting the high velocity 88 mm KwK L/56 gun which was derived from the German 88 mm flak gun. Both the Henschel and Porsche tanks were to be fitted with the same turret supplied by Krupp. The project was known as the "Tiger Program".

Henschel’s Tiger development was based on their previous designs for the VK 3001(H) and VK 3601(H), while Porsche’s Tiger development was based on his previous design for the VK 3001(P).

Both the Porsche and Henschel prototypes were to be demonstrated in front of Adolf Hitler on his birthday at Wolfschanze (Rastenburg), East Prussia on April 20th of 1942. The Henschel design was accepted and became the Pz.Kpfw. VI Tiger I. The Porsche design with its troublesome gasoline-electric hybrid power unit later became the basis of a new heavy tank destroyer which would be called the Ferdinand and mount the new 88 mm Pak 43/2 L/71.

Description

On 21 May 1942, Henschel and Porsche at a meeting in Germany were asked to submit designs for a 45 ton heavy tank capable of mounting the high velocity 88 mm KwK L/56 gun which was derived from the German 88 mm flak gun. Both the Henschel and Porsche tanks were to be fitted with the same turret supplied by Krupp. The project was known as the "Tiger Program".

Henschel’s Tiger development was based on their previous designs for the VK 3001(H) and VK 3601(H), while Porsche’s Tiger development was based on his previous design for the VK 3001(P).

Both the Porsche and Henschel prototypes were to be demonstrated in front of Adolf Hitler on his birthday at Wolfschanze (Rastenburg), East Prussia on April 20th of 1942. The Henschel design was accepted and became the Pz.Kpfw. VI Tiger I. The Porsche design with its troublesome gasoline-electric hybrid power unit later became the basis of a new heavy tank destroyer which would be called the Ferdinand and mount the new 88 mm Pak 43/2 L/71.