JAGDTIGER Design, Production, Operation

The Jagdtiger was the next logical extension of the creation of Jagdpanzer designs after the success of the Jagdpanther from the Panther tank. The Jagdtiger used a boxy superstructure on top of a lengthened Tiger II chassis. The resulting vehicle featured very heavy armour and the powerful 128 mm PaK 44 L/55 gun capable of defeating any tank fielded in World War II, even at long ranges (+3,500 m). It had 250 mm armour on the turret front and 150 mm on the glacis plate, which made it invulnerable to any frontal fire. However it lacked a traversable turret and the main gun mount had a limited traverse of only 10 degrees; the entire vehicle had to be turned to aim outside that narrow field of fire. During its service, the Jagdtiger suffered from a variety of mechanical and technical problems due to its immense weight and underpowered engine. The vehicle had frequent breakdowns; ultimately more Jagdtigers were lost to mechanical problems or lack of fuel than to enemy action. Despite these shortcomings it was still very effective in defensive roles. Though it may not have been the best, it was definitely the biggest and heaviest of the Tank destroyers built during W.W.II. This mammoth was so big and heavy that it was problematic even to transport it by railway. It wasn’t just the biggest vehicle of the war, it also had the biggest gun with the greatest calibre. So why wasn’t it more successful? Why did the German army not develop it further? These questions and many more are answered in this release from the Tech series.

Overseas clients please note: Due to excessively high wrapped weight shipping is weighted on this title.