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Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. E (Sd. Kfz. 181)
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In the late 1930’s, the development of a heavy Panzerkampfwagen - battle tank - was started by Henschel under the cover designation Durchbruchswagen - breakthrough wagon - (D.W.). This and the following developments led to the VK 3601 (H), a vehicle of the 30 to 35 ton class, until 1941. Because the demands regarding the armour and armament had changed, the VK 4501 (H) was developed in a short time out of the former development. In April 1942, the prototype was finished. Already in August 1942, serial production of this vehicle now designated Panzerkampf- wagen Tiger Ausführung E (Sd. Kfz. 181) was started. The first vehicles were brought to the eastern front at the end of the same month. (Photo: German federal archive via Wikimedia Commons; License: Creative Commons BY-SA-3.0-gb)
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From August 1942 to August 1944, altogether 1,355 Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. E were made. During serial production of the Tiger, several improvements were introduced. Roughly, the production can be divided into three main production batches (thought that this division has never existed officially!). A vehicle of the early batch can be seen in the upper photo. It had the older, cylindrically shaped commanders cupola. In the middle photo, one can see a vehicle of the middle batch. It had the new cast commander’s cupola. (Photo: German federal archive via Wikimedia Commons; License: Creative Commons BY-SA-3.0-gb)
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Beginning in February 1944, the last batch entered serial production. This last series is identifiable by the new road wheels without rubber treats. Especially these rubber treats had caused many problems during service. (Photo: German federal archive via Wikimedia Commons; License: Creative Commons BY-SA-3.0-gb)
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