The Jägdtiger was the most formidable self-propelled antitank gun used by the Germans. It consists of a 12.8 cm PJK 44 (L/55) (less muzzle brake), mounted on a Tiger B chassis.

The hull consists of the normal Tiger B with a builtup superstructure to form a fixed turret. The front plate of the superstructure is 250 mm thick and slopes back at 15° to the vertical. It is made of one solid piece of cast steel armor. The sides of the superstructure are made in one piece with the sloped sides of the fixed turret and, like the Tiger B, are 80 mm thick sloped at 25 degrees. The rear plate of the superstructure is also 80 mm thick with a 10° slope.

The main armament consists of a 12.8 cm PJK 44 set in the center of the front plate of the built-up superstructure. It has a cast, bell-shaped gun shield similar in design to that of the 8.8 cm Kw. K. 43 on the Tiger B. The spherical housing of the gun cradle mounting pivots on a steel ball. The gun is electrically fired and has a vertical sliding breechblock. Separate loading ammunition is used, and the same cartridge case is utilized for armor piercing and high explosive rounds.

With A.P.C. ammunition, penetration of approximately 6 inches of armor at 1,000 yards at 30° is effected; with A.P.C.B.C. ammunition, the penetration is approximately 8 inches.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight 77 tons Length (overall) 23 ft., 11 ins. Width (overall) 12 ft., 7 ins. Height (overall) 9 ft., 3 ins. Ground clearance 19 ins. Tread centers 103/110 ins. Ground contact 13 ft., 4 ins. Width of track 26/31 1/2 ins. Pitch of track 5.9 ins. Track links 92 (46 double shoes) Fording depth 69 ins. Theoretical radius of action: Roads 106 miles Cross country 75 miles Speed: Roads 23.6 m.p.h. Cross country 10 m.p.h. Armor: Front plate of superstructure 250 mm at 15° to vertical Sides of superstructure 80 mm at 25° to vertical Armament 12.8 cm PJK 44 Ammunition A.P.C.; A.P.C.B.C. Engine Maybach HL 230 Transmission 8 speeds forward; 4 reverse Steering Two radius system Crew 6

German: p. 40 (August 1, 1945)

