The Tiger I
Technical Specification
The complete technical specifications of the vehicle commanded by Michael Wittmann, the Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger I, variant H/E.
General Details
Crew
Five (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver, Bow Machine Gunner/Radio Operator)
Hull length
6.3m (20.66ft)
Length, gun forward
8.45m (27.7ft)
Width, combat tracks fitted
3.72m (12.2ft)
Width, transport tracks fitted
3.14m (10.3ft)
Height
3.0m (9.8ft)
Weight, transport
50.5 tonnes (49.7 tons)
Weight, combat
57 tonnes (56 tons)
Ground pressure, combat tracks
1.04kg/sq.cm (14.8psi)
Ground pressure, transport tracks
1.43kg/sq.cm (20.4psi)
Ground clearance
0.47m (1.5ft)
Fording depth, no preparation
1.6m (5.24ft)
Fording depth, prepared
4m (13.1ft)
Maximum gradient
70%
Maximum trench crossing
2.5m (8.2ft)
Maximum step climbing
0.8m (2.6ft)
Pz. Kfw. VI Tiger I Ausf. E, side profile
Suspension and Drive System
Suspension type
Transverse torsion bars
Number of roadwheel sets
Sixteen (eight per side)
Roadwheel sets per torsion bar
One
Roadwheels per set
Three, with outer set removable; later two
Return rollers
None
Wheel size
800x75mm (31.5x2.95in.)
Tyres
Rubber/composite rubber-steel
Engine and Performance
Powerplant type
Maybach HL230 P45 petrol
Configuration
4-stroke V12 at 60 degrees; SOHC per bank
Valves
Two per cylinder; sodium-cooled in exhaust
Material
Cast-aluminium crackcase and block; cast-iron heads
Nominal output
700hp (522kW) at 3000rpm
Nominal efficiency
30.4hp/litre
Power/weight ration (combat mode)
12.3hp/tonne
Capacity
23,095cc (1,410 cu. in.)
Bore
130mm (5.118in.)
Stroke
145mm (5.709in.)
Compression ratio
6:8:1
Aspiration
Four twin-choke Solex type 52JFF
Crankshaft bearings
Seven, roller type
Lubrication system
Dry sump; two scavenger pumps, one pressure pump
Oil capacity
28 litres (6.16 UK gallons/7.4 US gallons)
Coolant type
Liquid, fan-assisted
Coolant capacity
75 litres (16.5 UK gallons/19.8 US gallons)
Fuel capacity
540 litres (118.8 UK gallons/142 US gallons)
Nominal range, road
195km (120 miles)
Nominal range, cross-country
110km (68 miles)
Nominal maximum speed
45.4kph (28mph); 38kph (23mph) with engine limited to 2500rpm
Average sustained road speed
40kph (25mph)
Average sustained cross-country speed
20kph (12.5mph)
Transmission type
OLVAR hydraulically actuated pre-selector gearbox, 8 forward, 4 reverse speeds, hydraulically actuated clutch
Final drive
Epicyclic
Drive sprocket
Front
Pz. Kfw. VI Tiger I Ausf. E, bird's eye profile
Maximum Speed in Gears
1st
2.8kph (1.8mph)
2nd
4.3kph (2.7mph)
3rd
6.2kph (3.8mph)
4th
9.2kph (5.7mph)
5th
14.1kph (8.7mph)
6th
20.9kph (13mph)
7th
30.5kph (18.9mph)
8th
45.4kph (28mph)
1st reverse
2.8kph (1.8mph)
2nd reverse
4.3kph (2.7mph)
3rd reverse
6.2kph (3.8mph)
4th reverse
9.2kph (5.7mph)
Steering and Armament Details
Steering type
Wheel-controlled hydraulically operated regenerative; emergency steering by differential braking
Minimum turning radius
3.44m (11.28ft)
Maximum turning radius
165m (525ft)
Main armament
88mm L/56 KwK rifled cannon
Main armament ammunition
92 rounds (field-modified to 106/120 rounds in some cases)
Main armament ammunition type
Armour-piercing (AP), AP/tungsten core, high-explosive (HE) and HE hollow-charge (HEAT)
Muzzle Velocity
600m/sec. (HE); 773m/sec. (AP); 930m/sec. (AP/tungsten core)
Effective Range
3000m (AP); 5000m (HE)
Secondary armament
Two 7.92mm MG34 machine guns; one co-axially mounted, one flexibly mounted in hull-front
Ancilliary armament
One 7.92mm MG34 machine gun (optional); six smoke dischargers (later removed); three 92mm bomb/grenade launchers (later removed); one 9mm MP38/MP40 machine pistol; 9mm P38 pistols
Secondary ammunition
5100 rounds (34 belts of 150 rounds)
Pz. Kfw. VI Tiger I Ausf. E, front/rear profile
Armour and Protection
Armour
Rolled homogenous nickel-steel plate; electro-welded interlocking-plate construction (dimensions are nominal)
Hull front
100mm (3.94in.)
Hull side (upper)
80mm (3.15in.)
Hull side (lower)
60mm (2.36in.)
Hull rear
80mm (3.15in.)
Hull top
25mm (0.98in.)
Hull bottom
25mm (0.98in.)
Turret front
100mm (3.94in.)
Mantlet
120mm (4.72in)
Turret sides
80mm (3.15in.)
Turret rear
80mm (3.15in.)
Turret top
25mm/40-45mm (0.98in./1.57-1.77in.)
Cannon manoeuvrability
Turret traverse method
Hydraulic/manual
Traverse rate
Six degrees/sec.
Elevation method
Manual
Elevation range
+17 to -6.5 degrees
Stabilisation
None
*The above details relate specifically to the Pz. Kpfw. VI Ausf. H/E Variant
« back
