Why was the single VK.45.01(p) AKA the "Porsche Tiger" used for combat?
Why was the single VK.45.01(p) AKA the "Porsche Tiger" used for combat?
When Porsche's hulls were converted to Ferdinands and Bergetigers, 1 hull was left as a turreted tank and used in combat with one of the Ferdinand units. Does anyone know why?
Re: Why was the single VK.45.01(p) AKA the "Porsche Tiger" used for combat?
Guess a turreted tank makes a better command vehicle than an spg.
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ThatZenoGuy
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Re: Why was the single VK.45.01(p) AKA the "Porsche Tiger" used for combat?
Tanks are more multi-role than an SPG, so having the command vehicle being something that can more readily protect itself from infantry and lighter threats might come in handy. My guess at least.
Re: Why was the single VK.45.01(p) AKA the "Porsche Tiger" used for combat?
There's a very interesting Panzertracts volume dedicated to the Porsche type 100 (the Leopard) and 101 (the Porsche Tiger P).
It says:
"Of the original 100 VK 45.01(P) components, 10 were originally completed with turrets as Tiger (P) [by Oct 1942], but their FINAL disposition [after 1943] was: 91 hulls became Elephants, 3 became Bergepanzer, 3 hulls were used for the Ramm-Tiger project, 1 hull was completed with a Typ 102 hydraulic drive, 2 Tiger (P) with turrets were retained by Wa Pruef 6.
The last complete Tiger (P) assembled at Nibelungenwerke (Fgst. Nr. 250013) was the only one outfitted as a Panzerbefehlswagen, with Turm Nr. 150014. After various towing trials and suspension tests at Kummersdorf, it was sent back to N-werke in early 44, and modified by changing to Maybach water cooled engines [like in the Elephant], bolting on additional frontal armour, zimmerit added, Pilze added onto the turret.
This befehls-tiger (P) went with s.Pz.Jg.Abt 653 to Galicia in April 44, and was lost in action by July."
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So 653 got the only existing befehls tiger (P), there wasnt another to send. There was only 1 other Tiger (P) with a turret left in 1943, and it's condition isn't stated for 1944. So the answer as to why only a single Tiger (P) was used in combat might be simply because there WAS ONLY 1 suitable vehicle left by 1944...Maybe converting the only other remaining turreted Tiger (P) into a befehlspanzer was considered too complicated. Or maybe that last Tiger (P) was just too worn out.
It says:
"Of the original 100 VK 45.01(P) components, 10 were originally completed with turrets as Tiger (P) [by Oct 1942], but their FINAL disposition [after 1943] was: 91 hulls became Elephants, 3 became Bergepanzer, 3 hulls were used for the Ramm-Tiger project, 1 hull was completed with a Typ 102 hydraulic drive, 2 Tiger (P) with turrets were retained by Wa Pruef 6.
The last complete Tiger (P) assembled at Nibelungenwerke (Fgst. Nr. 250013) was the only one outfitted as a Panzerbefehlswagen, with Turm Nr. 150014. After various towing trials and suspension tests at Kummersdorf, it was sent back to N-werke in early 44, and modified by changing to Maybach water cooled engines [like in the Elephant], bolting on additional frontal armour, zimmerit added, Pilze added onto the turret.
This befehls-tiger (P) went with s.Pz.Jg.Abt 653 to Galicia in April 44, and was lost in action by July."
.
So 653 got the only existing befehls tiger (P), there wasnt another to send. There was only 1 other Tiger (P) with a turret left in 1943, and it's condition isn't stated for 1944. So the answer as to why only a single Tiger (P) was used in combat might be simply because there WAS ONLY 1 suitable vehicle left by 1944...Maybe converting the only other remaining turreted Tiger (P) into a befehlspanzer was considered too complicated. Or maybe that last Tiger (P) was just too worn out.