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King Tiger

Short answer: The Tiger II, nicknamed 'King Tiger' by Allied soldiers, was a German heavy tank of the Second World War, used in combat from 1944 to 1945. It weighed about 68 to 70 tonnes and carried the 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 gun.

Its sloped frontal armor, up to 180 mm thick on the turret, was hard for most Allied tank guns of the time to penetrate from the front. About 490 were built. Its weight strained the engine and drivetrain, which were prone to breakdowns, and it was difficult to transport and to cross many bridges. The footage shows archive and museum images of the Tiger II, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up1 sources

In collections:The Arsenal

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What should you know about King Tiger?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. The Tiger II was a German heavy tank used 1944-45.

    DD-146-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (WWII heavy tank)

  2. It weighed about 68 to 70 tonnes.

    DD-146-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Weight)

Video transcript: King Tiger: The Tiger II Weighed Nearly 70 Tonnes

The Tiger II, also known as the King Tiger, was a formidable German heavy tank during World War II. DID YOU KNOW? Weighing around 70 tons, it featured thick armor and the powerful 88mm KWK 43 L71 gun. Its frontal armor, known for its strength, was nearly impenetrable for many allied tanks of the time. However, its sheer weight made it challenging to transport and prone to mechanical issues. The delicate balance between firepower, protection, and mobility in tank design. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 25.5s Reel ·

Video coming soonKing Tiger · Instagram Reel
King Tiger: The Tiger II Weighed Nearly 70 Tonnes Instagram Reel · · 25.5s

The write-up

The Tiger II weighed nearly 70 tonnes. Its weight made it hard to move and to keep running.

  1. Exhibit A

    WWII heavy tank

    The Tiger II was a German heavy tank used 1944-45.

  2. Exhibit B

    Weight

    It weighed about 68 to 70 tonnes.

  3. Exhibit C

    Gun

    It carried the 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71.

  4. Exhibit D

    About 490 built

    Production was about 490.

  5. Exhibit E

    Breakdowns

    Its drivetrain was prone to breakdowns.

Questions people ask about King Tiger

Which army used the Tiger II?

In 1944-45.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (WWII heavy tank) · Wikipedia: Tiger II

About how much did it weigh?

Very heavy for its time.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Weight) · Wikipedia: Tiger II

What gun did it carry?

A long 88.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Gun) · Wikipedia: Tiger II

About how many were built?

Production was limited.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (About 490 built) · Wikipedia: Tiger II

What was a key weakness?

Hard to transport too.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Breakdowns) · Wikipedia: Tiger II

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Which army used the Tiger II?

    1. Germany's
    2. Britain's
    3. Japan's
    4. Italy's
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Germany's In 1944-45. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (WWII heavy tank) · Wikipedia: Tiger II

  2. About how much did it weigh?

    1. 68 to 70 tonnes
    2. 7 tonnes
    3. 200 tonnes
    4. 20 tonnes
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 68 to 70 tonnes Very heavy for its time. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Weight) · Wikipedia: Tiger II

  3. What gun did it carry?

    1. 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71
    2. A 20 mm cannon
    3. A 155 mm howitzer
    4. Machine guns only
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 A long 88. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Gun) · Wikipedia: Tiger II

  4. About how many were built?

    1. About 490
    2. About 49,000
    3. About 5
    4. About 4,900
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. About 490 Production was limited. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (About 490 built) · Wikipedia: Tiger II

  5. What was a key weakness?

    1. Breakdowns from its weight
    2. Thin armor
    3. No gun
    4. Too fast
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Breakdowns from its weight Hard to transport too. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Breakdowns) · Wikipedia: Tiger II

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "King Tiger." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-146, last updated Dec 27, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/king-tiger/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/king-tiger/ · Last updated

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Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-146-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/king-tiger/#DD-146-F01

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