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<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Tiger Tank Diagram.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|Schematic layout of Tiger H1]] -->
Porsche and Henschel submitted prototype designs, each making use of the Krupp-designed turret. They were demonstrated at [[Rastenburg]] in front of Hitler. The Henschel design was accepted, mainly because the Porsche [[VK 4501 (P)]] prototype design used a troubled [[Petrol–electric transmission|petrol-electric transmission system]] which needed large quantities of [[copper]] for the manufacture of its electrical drivetrain components, a strategic war material of which Germany had limited supplies with acceptable electrical properties for such uses.{{sfn|Jentz|Doyle|1993|p=6}} Production of the ''Panzerkampfwagen'' VI ''Ausf.'' H began in August 1942. Expecting an order for his tank, Porsche built 100 chassis. After the contract was awarded to Henschel, they were used for a new turretless, [[casemate]]-style [[tank destroyer]]; 91 hulls were converted into the [[Elefant|''Panzerjäger'' Tiger (P)]] in early 1943.
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In 1943, Japan bought several specimens of German tank designs for study. A single Tiger I was apparently purchased, along with a Panther and two Panzer IIIs, but only the Panzer IIIs were actually delivered.{{sfn|Zaloga|2007|p=17}} The undelivered Tiger was loaned to the German Wehrmacht by the Japanese government.
[[File:Czołg niemiecki PzKpfw VI "Tiger" w greckim miasteczku (2-600).jpg|thumb|
Many modifications were introduced during the production run to improve automotive performance, firepower and protection. Simplification of the design was implemented, along with cuts due to raw material shortages. In 1942 alone, at least six revisions were made, starting with the removal of the ''Vorpanzer'' (frontal armour shield) from the pre-production models in April. In May, mudguards bolted onto the side of the pre-production run were added, while removable mudguards saw full incorporation in September. Smoke discharge canisters, three on each side of the turret, were added in August 1942. In later years, similar changes and updates were added, such as the addition of [[Zimmerit]] (a non-magnetic anti-mine coating), in late 1943.<ref>[http://www.achtungpanzer.com/panzerkampfwagen-vi-tiger-ausf-e-sd-kfz-181.htm Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E Sd. Kfz. 181] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703171026/http://www.achtungpanzer.com/panzerkampfwagen-vi-tiger-ausf-e-sd-kfz-181.htm |date=3 July 2009 }} ''achtungpanzer.com''</ref>{{sfn|Crawford|2000|p=41}}{{sfn|Jentz|Doyle|1993|p=12}} Due to slow production rates at the factories, incorporation of the new modifications could take several months.
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When engaging targets, Tiger crews were encouraged to angle the hull to the 10:30 or 1:30 [[clock position]] (45 degrees) relative to the target, an orientation referred to as the ''Mahlzeit Stellung''.{{efn|This roughly translates as "meal position", using 10:30 for breakfast time and 1:30 for lunch.<!-- Why would panzertruppen commonly wait until 10:30 and 1:30 for breakfast and lunch? Any source to explain this? -->}} This would maximize the effective front hull armour to 180 mm and side hull to 140 mm, making the Tiger impervious to any Allied gun up to 152 mm.<ref>{{cite book |title=Tigerfibel |date=1943 |pages=84–85 |url=https://archive.org/details/tigerfibel}}</ref>{{sfn|Bird|Livingston|2001|p=83}} The Tiger's lack of slope for its armour made angling the hull by manual means simple and effective, and unlike the lighter [[Panzer IV]] and [[Panther tank]]s, the Tiger's thick side armour gave a degree of confidence of immunity from flank attacks.{{cn|date=June 2024}} The tank was also immune to Soviet [[anti-tank rifle]] fire to the sides and rear. Its large calibre 8.8 cm provided superior fragmentation and high explosive content over the [[7.5 cm KwK 42]] gun. Therefore, comparing the Tiger with the Panther, for supporting the infantry and destroying fortifications, the Tiger offered superior firepower.{{cn|date=June 2024}}
{{blockquote| The destruction of an antitank gun was often accepted as nothing special by lay people and soldiers from other branches. Only the destruction of other tanks counted as a success. On the other hand, antitank guns counted twice as much to the experienced tanker. They were much more dangerous to us. The antitank cannon waited in ambush, well camouflaged, and magnificently set up in the terrain. Because of that, it was very difficult to identify. It was also very difficult to hit because of its low height. Usually, we didn't make out the antitank guns until they had fired the first shot. We were often hit right away, if the antitank crew was on top of things, because we had run into a wall of antitank guns. It was then advisable to keep as cool as possible and take care of the enemy, before the second aimed shot was fired. |author=[[Otto Carius]] (translated by Robert J. Edwards) |title=Tigers in the Mud{{sfn|Carius|2003|p=118}} }}
===First actions===
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On 21 April 1943, a Tiger I of the 504th [[German heavy tank battalion]], with [[Tiger 131|turret number 131]], was captured on a hill called Djebel Djaffa in Tunisia. A [[Ordnance QF 6 pounder|6-pounder]] solid shot from a Churchill tank of the British [[48th Royal Tank Regiment]] hit the Tiger's gun barrel and ricocheted into its turret ring, jamming its traverse and wounding the commander. The crew bailed out and the tank was captured.{{efn|The conservators have kept the damage caused by the ricochet unpainted; it can be observed at the Bovington Tank museum.}}{{sfn|Carruthers|2000}}{{Page needed|date=September 2010}} After repairs, the tank was sent to England for a thorough inspection.
The captured tank was officially handed over to the [[Bovington Tank Museum]] by the British [[Ministry of Supply (UK)|Ministry of Supply]] on 25 September 1951. In June 1990, the tank was removed from display at the museum and work began on its restoration. This was carried out both by the museum and the [[Army Base Repair Organisation]] and involved an almost complete disassembly of the tank. The Maybach HL230 engine from the museum's Tiger II was installed (the Tiger's original Maybach HL210 had been sectioned for display<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tiger-tank.com/secure/journal41.htm |title=Why We Are Using The HL230 Engine |website=Our Tiger – Tiger 131 |publisher=The Tank Museum |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518093207/http://www.tiger-tank.com/secure/journal41.htm |archive-date=2016-05-18}}</ref>), along with a modern fire-suppressant system in the engine compartment. In December 2003, Tiger 131 returned to the museum, restored and in running condition. This Tiger was used in the film [[Fury (2014 film)|''Fury'']], the first time an original, fully mechanically operable Tiger I has appeared in a movie since World War II.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-24987676 |title='Last' WW2 Tiger tank to be used in Brad Pitt film |publisher=BBC News |date=18 November 2013}}</ref> The fire suppression system was removed as it interfered with engine maintenance and was too obtrusive.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tank Museum David Willey – podcast 194|website=We have ways of making you talk|date=8 October 2020|url=https://wehavewayspod.com/ep-194-tiger-tank/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925235959/https://wehavewayspod.com/ep-194-tiger-tank/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=25 September 2021|access-date=27 January 2022}}</ref>
===Others===
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* [[Musée des Blindés]] in [[Saumur]], [[France]]. Indoor exhibit in good condition. Mid-production (1944) version with overlapping 'steel'-type roadwheels adopted from the Tiger II and fitted with the narrow transport tracks. This Tiger was part of the 2nd company of the [[SS Heavy Panzer Battalion 102]] which fought in the [[Cauville]] sector and was later abandoned by her crew after a mechanical breakdown. She was recommissioned as ''Colmar'' with the 2nd squadron of the Free French [[6th Cuirassier Regiment (France)|6th Cuirassier Regiment]] and joined the new unit in fighting all the way back to Germany.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}} In late 2023, the museum initiated a crowdfunding campaign<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aidez le Tigre à rugir de nouveau!|url=https://fr.ulule.com/restauration-tigre-1/ |website=Ulele |language=fr}}</ref> to restore it to running status. As the crowdfunding campaign was successful, the tank is now, as of early 2024, under restoration by the museum and is expected to return to running status soon.<ref>{{Cite web |title= open heart tiger: Restoration and Evolving Exhibition|url=https://www.museedesblindes.fr/en/news-the-museum-of-armored-de-Saumur/item/tiger-with-open-heart |website=Musée des Blindés|language=en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240304182952/https://www.museedesblindes.fr/en/news-the-museum-of-armored-de-Saumur/item/tiger-with-open-heart|archive-date=2024-03-04}}</ref>
* [[Vimoutiers]] in [[Normandy]], France. The renowned "[[Vimoutiers Tiger tank]]". Abandoned and then destroyed (to prevent enemy capture) by its German crew in August 1944. An outdoor monument in poor condition due to the effect of time and the elements (many original parts such as hatches and both rear exhaust pipes missing).{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}
* [[Kubinka Tank Museum]] in [[Moscow]], [[Russia]]. In good condition; displayed as an indoor exhibit (although the outermost row of four roadwheels is missing on this vehicle).
* Military-Historical Museum of Lenino-Snegiri in Russia. In very bad condition; displayed outdoors. This tank was a former Nakhabino firing-range target in and has been badly shot-at and cut up (damage includes broken running gear and multiple shell-holes in its armour). The tank received additional damage during improper transportation from Moscow to Saratov on the Volga and back, losing some of its parts. Saved pictures of the condition before it was transported {{citation needed|date=January 2022}}
* Tiger 712 (hull number 250031) of the [[501st Heavy Panzer Battalion]] was captured in North Africa in May 1943 and is a part of the [[United States Army Armor & Cavalry Collection]], [[Fort Moore]], Georgia. In good condition; formerly displayed outdoors, it has since been moved indoors. This vehicle had its left turret and upper-hull sides partially cutaway in 1946 for instructional and display purposes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Army Armor & Cavalry Collection |url=https://twitter.com/ArmorCollection/status/1432434940399001607 |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref>
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