Germany's Tiger Tanks D.W. to Tiger I: Design, Production & Modifications

Fantastic book! It probably reveals all there is to tell about the design of the famous Tiger I or Ausf “E” tank. The book includes extensive and detailed discussions of its antecedents: the DW 1, DW 2, VK 30.01, VK 36.01, and Porsche Types 101 and 102 before the final Henschel VK 45.01 (H). It discusses every imaginable detail of the design, ranging from rain guards over the gunner's sighting telescope to details of the track links. Numerous annotated photos and drawings are provided. The text discusses both the Henschel (“H”) design and the Porsche (“P”) designs. Pages 33 – 34 describe the armament design alternatives with the 88 mm L/56 and 75 mm L/70. I had never previously known that the 75 mm L/70 was considered for the Tiger I (the gun was later used in the “Panther”). The Tiger I initially had extensive mechanical component problems. It took six months (May 1942 to December 1942) to resolve the many issues: transmission, final drive, brakes, steering gear, exhaust system, oil piping, track suspension system wheels and tires, weak drive wheel bolts, overheated engine compartment. Page72 gives an extensive list of the problems that had to be corrected. No discussion is provided on the consequences of the overloaded mechanical components that occurred as a result of the steady increases in weight from the initial VK 36.01 design to the final 56 - ton VK 45.01 design. I think a major problem was the complacency of the designers in thinking that the earlier VK 36.01 design could easily be modified to accommodate the new turret and 88 mm gun. In addition, per page 71, mass production had to commence before the tank was thoroughly tested. The designer / manufacturer Henschel was awarded the contract to produce the Tiger I in July 1941. Production orders began in August 1941. The first operational vehicle was shipped to Hitler’s headquarters for his inspection in April 1942 prior to any army or manufacturer’s testing. This was no way to run a major weapons program (my opinion). Then the first Tigers were committed to combat on the Leningrad front in September 1942 – just sixteen months after the contract was awarded to Henschel. This may appear to give a superficial view of rapid design and manufacture but it was irresponsible and impossible to provide reliable designs so quickly. In my amateur opinion, the “Tiger” needed another year of reasonably calm and rational design and testing time to produce a reliable and effective vehicle. Appendix E presents an interesting description of a comparison test of several German tank designs of the period that were conducted on November 2, 1942: Tiger I (“Henschel”), Tiger I (“Porsche”), Panther (MAN), Panther (Daimler Benz), VK 36.01, Panzer III with semi – automatic transmission. The vehicles were required to drive over hills and swampy terrain. Not one vehicle made it through any test. Engines and transmissions were frequently damaged or overloaded. And the designers thought these vehicles could be used on the Russian Front? Some other books that offer much insight to the German tank design issues are: • “Steel & Secrets: Interrogating German Tank Engineers 1945” by Hills (2024). It’s an interesting booklet (approximately 120 pages). The most interesting chapter to me was the one interviewing Kurt Arnold, the technical head of the Henschel research and development section. Per page 18, he is quoted as possessing “ … an insight into the inadequacies and corruption of German strategic decision-making and production, and the sheer breadth of the inadequacy of those making decisions. Personal patronage, grandiose projects and ‘good looks’ were too often key factors and often more important than the abilities and performance of a vehicle.” Continuing onto page 40, he maintained that the main reason heavy tanks were produced at all was due to the triumvirate of Adolf Hitler, Albert Speer, and Ferdinand Porsche. He also maintained that the army tank leaders such as General Heinz Guderian were opposed to the development and deployment of the heavy tanks and anti-tank guns such as the “Tiger I,” “Tiger II,” and the “Jagdtiger” because of their cost, mechanical unreliability, and poor battlefield maneuverability. Per Arnold “[Hitler] allowed himself to be ringed in by a wall of AFV ‘experts’ of the ‘Yes man’ variety.” Hitler was enamored with large armored vehicles equipped with large guns (perhaps something Freudian here?) Ferdinand Porsche attained his influence on tank design because of his personal friendship with Hitler. All of Porsche’s designs were mechanical failures. Porsche had no pre-war experience designing armored vehicles, so perhaps this should not be surprising. Section 9 “Birth of the Tiger” (3 pages) describes the genesis of the “Tiger” tank. From a weapons development management point of view, it was a complete muddle. Pages 69 - 86 present the interview with Heinrich Ernst Heydekamp, the eventual President of the Panzer Kommission. In page 79, Heydekamp summarizes the problems with the German tank program throughout the war: 1) lack of mass production knowledge and facilities; 2) the design program was never rationalized which resulted in too wide a range of vehicles; and 3) some designs were unnecessarily complicated. • “Paper Tigers: The German Armor Crisis of 1943- 1944” by Lapine (2021). I thought this was a surprisingly interesting – and very negative -- book on German heavy armor of 1942 - 1945, i.e., "Tigers" and "Panthers." The author (Aria Lapine) assumes that potential readers are generally familiar with the design histories of the two tanks and with the key tank battles and the overall military campaigns. The book focuses on the consequences of the negative aspects of the two tanks: poor mechanical reliability, retched fuel efficiency and short tactical range, and the cost and heavy industrial effort required to produce them. The "Tiger" may have attained great tactical fame at Villers Bocage, Kursk, Cherkassay, and Korsun but they were complete operational and strategic failures. No German army or German general ever achieved an operational front breakthrough using "Tiger" and "Panther" tanks. The tanks could only function in combat for two or three days before experiencing mechanical breakdowns that would effectively put them out of action. The author cites many examples of low serviceability rates during critical battles or combats. • “German Tank Maintenance in World War II” by Mueller - Hillebrand (2023). The booklet (40+ pages) was originally published in 1954. The principal author, General Burkhart Mueller - Hillebrand, was the commander of an armored regiment on the Russian Front during WW II. He saw action in the Ukraine, Poland, and East Prussia. The booklet describes the organization, prime mover equipment, accompanying trucks, manpower, training programs, and operations. There are good critiques on the consequences of having too many tank models and too few spare parts in the combat units. The problem of too few replacement engines and transmissions was especially severe.

The best research work you can find, by two of the leading experts. It's excellent reference for scale model like me. Highly recommend!

JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT TIGER 1. GREAT PHOTOS, LINE DRAWINGS OF DIFFERENT PRODUCTION VERSIONS, DETAILED DRAWINGS OF MANY FEATURES (BOTH INSIDE AND OUT), CHARTS, ETC. AND MUCH MORE. A GREAT BOOK FOR THE ENTHUSIEST AND ESPECIALLY THE MODELER. WELL WORTH THE MONEY. I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE PAGE DESCRIBING THE TIME LINE WHEN DIFFERENT FEATURES WERE INCORPERATED . I WAS SO IMPRESSED THAT I GOT THE COMPANION BOOK ON THE PANTHER TANK. THIS BOOK HAS REALLY GOT TO BE SEEN TO BE APPRECIATED. ---- J.S

Very good technical and pictographic representation of Tiger tank development. Has excellent pictures that also historically follow the development and history of the tank. If you are looking for accounts of combat and crew experiences, this book and series doesn’t really have it. Don’t let that steal you away from theses books though. If you love WW2 history and are a technical, engineering or tread head nerd....these are the books for you.

This is the most comprehensive research book on the Tiger 1 tank available. The photos are clear and precise. Most of the black and white photos I have never seen published anywhere before. The illustrations are many and informative. The book is designed as a reference study of the physical characteristics of the various model designs of the Tiger 1. It is invaluable as an aide to modelers. Highly recommended!

Great book, very informative, full of detailed photos and stats. Must have got tank enthusiasts and modelers.

Any book by Thomas L. Jentz or another author with Mr Jentz as technical adviser (Encyclopedia of German Armored Vehicles of WWII is a good example) is highly recommended. I especially recommend his Panzertruppen I and II books. This book is an excellent source for the Tiger tank development. It is a companion volume to Tiger Tanks in Combat. WWII and Armor buffs. Purchase any book by Jentz.

The definitive work on these particular AFV. All the specifications and technical information a modeler or history buff would ever need. A person could almost build one using this volume.

Hardcover, gut verklebt. Ein Buch über die Technik des Tigers ,auch mit Einsatzbildern. Die Technik und ihre Verbesserungen im Laufe der Produktion werden hier erklärt und dargestellt mit Fotos und Zeichnungen ,Details, von Innen und Außen. Wer wissen will wie der Koloß aufgebaut war ist hier richtig. Für Einsatzbilder gibt es andere Bücher.Der Text ist englisch. Sehr empfehlenswert.

Le 5 stelle sono per il volume, assolutamente in condizioni perfette, i cui contenuti sono estremamente i teressanti. Unica pecca, la sovracopertina, che è strappata nell'angolo in basso a destra.

if you are interested in the fine details of the Tiger and to feel confident that it all historical accurate this is the book for you

added detail on production and further modifications during production and after combat experience, excellent original drawings and photo's and further information on museum examples. Well worth getting.

Like the other two volumes in this set; this volume covers it's chosen subject well and is yet another example of what a fine author was the late Thomas Jentz. The drawings by Hilary Doyle compliment the written text and photographs and this volume is a valuable addition to one's library.