Model by Thomas Hartwig, Bremen Germany.
VK4501(P), Tiger (P)
Model by Thomas Hartwig, Bremen Germany.
The VK4501(P) was the Porsche entry into the competition which
would ultimately result in the Tiger I. Based on the experience gained with the
VK3001(P), the new design represented essentially
a "scaled up" vehicle.
The suspension of the new vehicle consisted of six pairs of
rubber-tired road wheels on each side. The rear drive sprocket powered the
tracks. Power was provided by two V-10 air-cooled engines which, in turn, drove electric
generators. These electric generators provided the electric current to power two electric
engines (one for each drive sprocket). The final result was a hull and superstructure which
was nearly 50% occupied by power-train. The reason for this arrangement was to improve
the overall power transfer efficiency relative to a conventional drive sprocket and transmission.
Unfortunately, the engines themselves proved unreliable.
Porsche began production of the vehicle immediately after the completion of the
prototype in April 1942. Delivery was scheduled to begin that July. Problems with the
suspension and petrol motors brought production to a halt in August, and becuase
these problems could not be solved, Nibelungenwerke was ordered to stop
all production of the VK4501(P) in October.
The turret from the Tiger (P) was modified slightly and used in the production
Tiger I, designed by Henschel. The hull of the Tiger (P) was modified to run
directly using two Maybach HL120TRM to create the Elefant tank destroyer
(previously known as Ferdinand).
| VK4501(P), Tiger (P) | |
|---|---|
| Crew: 5 | Armament: one 8.8cm KwK36 L/56 + two 7.92mm MG34 |
| Weight: 57 tons | Traverse: 360o (electric) |
| Length: 9.34 meters | Elevation: -9o +18o |
| Width: 3.38 meters | Engine: Two Porsch Typ 101/1 |
| Height: 2.80 meters | Gearbox: direct electric drive |
| Radio: FuG5 | Speed: 35 km/hr |
It appears as if one example of the Tiger (P) was actually
used in combat as a command vehicle by Schw. Pz. Jäg. Abt.
653. This unit was equipped with the Elefant tank destroyer.
The two views below are of this vehicle. The vehicle number
was 003 and was commanded by hauptmann Hanns Wegelin.
Not the additional radio antennae on the Tiger (P).
Photo from Schwere Jagdpanzer.
Below is a section of the tactical organization
chart of Schw. Pz. Jäg. Abt. 653 dated June 1, 1944
showing the other unusual vehicles feilded by the
headquarters company of this unit included the
Panther with Panzer IV turret
and the 2cm Flakveirling
auf Fahrgestell T34. This unit was later
re-equipped with Jagdtigers. The remaining
elefants were given to Schw. Pzjg. Kompanie 614. Four
elefants remained in that unit's last combat near Zossen
south of Berlin on April 22, 1945. I have been unable to
find records of the fate of the Tiger (P) and other vehicles.
