Elefant

Panzerjäger Tiger (P)
TypeHeavy tank destroyer
Place of originNazi Germany
Production history
DesignerFerdinand Porsche
Designed1942–1943
ManufacturerNibelungenwerk
ProducedMarch–May 1943
(substantial upgrades in January to April 1944)
No. built91[1]
Specifications
Mass65 tonnes (143,000 lb)
Length8.14 m (26 ft 8 in) with gun
Width3.38 m (11 ft 1 in)
Height2.97 m (9 ft 9 in)
Crew6 (driver, radio-operator, commander, gunner, two loaders)

Armor200 mm (7.87 in) maximum
Main
armament
8.8 cm Pak 43/2 L/71, also known as StuK 43/1
Secondary
armament
7.92 mm MG 34 machine gun (Elefant only)
Engine2 × Maybach HL120 TRM petrol
600 PS (592 hp, 442 kW)
Power/weight9.2 PS (6.8 kW) / tonne
Suspensionlongitudinal torsion-bar
Fuel capacity950 liters
Operational
range
150 km (93 mi) road
90 km (56 mi) cross-country
Maximum speed 30 kilometres per hour (19 mph)

Elefant (German for "elephant") was a heavy tank destroyer (self propelled anti-tank gun) used by German Panzerjäger (anti-tank units) during World War II. Ninety-one units were built in 1943 under the name Ferdinand (after its designer Ferdinand Porsche) using VK 45.01 (P) tank hulls which had been produced for the Tiger I tank before the competing Henschel design had been selected.

Following their use at the battle of Kursk, in January to April 1944 the surviving Ferdinands received modifications and upgrades. They were renamed Elefant in May 1944. The official German designation was Panzerjäger Tiger (P)[Note 1] and the ordnance inventory designation was Sd.Kfz. 184.

  1. ^ Jentz, Thomas (1997a). Panzerkampfwagen VI P (Sd.Kfz.181). The History of the Porsche Typ 100 and 101 also known as the Leopard and Tiger(P). Darlington Productions. p. 54. ISBN 1892848031.


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