Jagdtiger

Chris Meadows

• 15 april 2009
• 9789185657018

Samenvatting:

The Jagdtiger was a logical extension of Jagdpanzer designs, from designs such as the Jagdpanther. The Jagdtiger used a boxy superstructure on top of a lengthened Tiger II chassis. The vehicle featured very heavy armor 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 armor on the turret front and 150 mm on the glacis plate, which meant it was strong against 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.

The Jagdtiger suffered a variety of mechanical and technical problems due to its immense weight and underpowered engine. It frequently broke down; more Jagdtigers were lost to mechanical problems than to enemy action. Despite these shortcomings it was still very effective in defensive roles. It wasn't just the biggest vehicle of the war, it also had the biggest gun with the greatest caliber. And it's power to kill tanks would be great even on the modern battlefield.

So why wasn't it successful? Why didn't they build more of them? How did it "tick"? These questions and many more are answered in this second release of our new Tech series