File:Tiger II (early turret) ‘300’ (36447095652).jpg

Chassis No V2 (the second of three prototypes). Official designations:- Sd Kfz 182 Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf B, VK45.03(H). Built January 1944 by Henschel & Sohn. The Tiger II was developed from the legendary Tiger I and combine thick armour with the Panzer style sloping hull design. Production began in 1944 and 492 had been built by the end of the war. The type was informally known ‘Königstiger’ which is German for ‘Bengal Tiger’. The literal translation, however, is ‘Royal Tiger’ which led to it being known to Allied troops as the ‘King Tiger’ (which seems somehow appropriate!). The type saw significant use in several major battles in the last year of WW2, including in Normandy in July 1944 as well as Operation Panzerfaust (the taking of Budapest) in October 1944, the Ardennes Offensive (The Battle of the Bulge) in December 1944 and the Battle of Berlin leading up to the final days of the war. At least eight are known to survive of which two are at Bovington. This is the second prototype of the production design. It was retained by Henschel for trials, eventually being captured at the Henschel testing ground at Haustenbeck. It is fitted with the Krupp turret originally designed for both the Henschel or Porsche prototype designs, the VK45.01(H) and VK45.02(P). After unsuccessful trials these two types were abandoned in favour of a third design, the VK45.03(H), which became production Tiger II. Several Krupp turrets had already been manufactured so the first fifty Tiger IIs were fitted with these left-over Krupp turrets, the remaining Tiger II production having the standard turret. Along with a late production Tiger II, this rare prototype is on display at The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset, UK.