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The Tiger II was built with two different turrets, often referred to as the "Porsche" and "Henschel" turrets, with the assumption that the different types were designed by these respective companies. However, these names are historically incorrect, as neither Porsche nor Henschel designed the Tiger II's turret.
Porsche Tiger 2
This error runs so deep that it has appeared everywhere in the decades since the war, in books, documentaries, magazines and video games.
Tiger Ii Porsche, Zimmerit, Dunkelgelb, 1:87 Kant En Klaar
Despite being corrected before this error persists, probably because the turret incorrectly known as the "Porsche" type was originally designed for use on Porsche's early attempts on a Tiger II.
The towers are easy to distinguish. The type, incorrectly known as the "Porsche" turret, had a curved front, a bulge in the side for the commander and a rear door that was bolted to the rear of the turret.
This version was first designed early in the Tiger II project along with the Porsche chassis, but was difficult to produce and was quickly replaced.
The replacement is the type incorrectly known as the "Henschel" tower. This version can be identified by its flat front and simpler form. It was much easier to make and was fitted to most Tiger IIs.
German King Tiger (henschel Turret) Forces Of Valor 873002a
A Tiger II in the Musée des Blindés, Saumur. This has the production tower which is often mistakenly called the "Henschel" tower.
None of these types were actually designed by Porsche or Henschel. That honor instead goes to the German company Krupp, which also made the turret for the Tiger I.
We repeat: both Tiger II turrets were designed by Krupp - not Porsche, and not Henschel.
Confusion over the two different turrets fitted to the Tiger II is a result of Germany's development process for the tank.
Tiger Ii (p)
When the requirements leading to the Tiger II were released, two companies competed against each other to produce a winning design that would be mass produced.
These two companies were Porsche and Henschel. They were to design the hull and chassis for a new heavy tank that carried the long 8.8 cm L/71 gun.
But as I said, neither Porsche nor Henschel would design the tower. This would be done by Krupp, a major steel and weapons producer for Germany during World War II. A similar arrangement occurred during the development of the Tiger I, with Porsche and Henschel designing the turret and Krupp taking care of the turret.
For this newer project, the Krupp turrets fitted both chassis and would be used on the tank that won the competition.
The Modelling News: Build Guide Pt I: Takom's 35th Scale Sd.kfz.182 King Tiger Henschel Turret W/zimmerit
Porsche first began work on their Tiger II design as early as 1942. They began by simply reworking the VK 45.01 (P) (Porsche's failed alternative to the Tiger I) for the long 8.8 cm To carry a gun, but new requirements and major changes came to it. in a completely different design, known as VK 45.02 (P).
Meanwhile, Krupp designed the turret for this tank. It was very different from previous types, with a low-profile curved front and well-angled sides. This is the version wrongly known as the "Porsche" type.
In February 1942, 100 Porsche Designs were ordered, along with the associated towers from Krupp. In November 1942, the faults in the Porsche design were found and the order was cancelled, but by this time 50 towers had already been made.
This tower proved extremely difficult to manufacture, with the curved front and sides literally having to be bent into shape, rather than cast or machined.
Tiger 2 Porsche Turm Falkenhagen
Front view of the Tiger II preproduction turret. Note the bulge on the right side of the tower. This was to make room for the boss, and was difficult to achieve.
Krupp redesigned the turret in the first half of 1943 to create a flatter shape specifically intended to make production easier and faster. This is the version incorrectly known as the "Henschel" type.
Henschel started on the Tiger II later than Porsche, and also tried to rework their previous design (Tiger I) to fit the long 8.8 cm gun. This would eventually be discarded in favor of a largely new vehicle called the VK 45.03 (H).
It was Henschel's tank that was chosen for production, with the first vehicles being produced before the end of 1943.
Tiger Ii Ausf. B (porsche Prototype Turret)
But what about the stock market of 50 towers with the curved front? Rather than being scrapped, they were fitted to the first 50 production Tiger IIs. When these were used, Tiger IIs were fitted with Krupp's newer, simplified turrets from June 1944.
On the right is a Tiger II with a late production turret. Far left is a Tiger II with a pre-production turret with the curved front. Photo taken at Tank Museum by Morio CC BY-SA 4.0.
This is where the confusion between the two turret types begins, with the first 50 known as Tiger IIs with "Porsche" turrets, and the rest known as Tiger IIs with "Henschel" turrets.
But now we know they were both designed by Krupp, these names are misleading at best.
Takom King Tiger Sd.kfz.182 Porsche Turret W/zimmerit + Ammo By Mig Lijm
The pre-production turret was developed by Krupp in conjunction with the Tiger II project, for use on both vehicles. Although it is the earlier of the two, it actually has a more elegant look, with a narrow curved front.
This plate was 100 mm thick, while the sides and back were 80 mm thick and beveled at a 30 degree angle. The tower roof consisted of three separate slabs; one at the front which was 25mm thick and angled at 77 degrees, one in the middle which was 40mm thick and horizontal, and one at the back 25mm thick and angled at 80 degrees.
The 50 pre-production turrets built had this roof armor, but the 25 mm plates were cut out and replaced by 40 mm thick plates when they were fitted to the Tiger II hull. Interestingly, the Tiger II V2 prototype at The Tank Museum Bovington still has the 25mm thick plates.
The first Tiger II prototype (V1) fitted with a pre-production turret. The turret ring was fully exposed on this turret, and would be protected by additional shields on vehicles sent into battle.
Revell Germany 1/72 King Tiger Ii Ausf B Porsche Prototype [rvl03138]
The rear of the pre-production turret was removable to allow the removal of the 8.8 cm KwK 43 main gun. On the front of the tower there were three holes in which the MG 34 and scope. Above each of these holes is a metal rim that deflects raindrops.
On the left side of the tower is a walk for the boss. This and the front plate shapes were made by literally bending the steel, a process that was extremely difficult. Especially the front panels were exposed to cracks on the curved part.
As intended from the start, this tower would be compatible with both Henschel and Porsche-designed casings. However, when mounted on Henschel's hull, the turret was equipped with a hydraulic traverse device. If it were fitted to Porsche's chassis, it would be equipped with an electric traverse device.
Note the rear of this pre-production turret on The Tank Museum V2 Tiger II prototype. The large opening on the back would have a removable cover. The hole for this component is hidden. Photo by Morio CC BY-SA 4.0.
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In the end, the pre-production tower was simply too complex and too time-consuming to manufacture, and was deemed unsatisfactory.
The turret was fitted to the first 50 Tiger IIs. Only a single example survives today at The Tank Museum, Bovington.
Towards the end of 1942 there were discussions to update the design with a priority on ease of production. This fitted the most common turret on the Tiger II.
Like the pre-production tower, the production tower was also manufactured by Krupp. The layout was largely the same as the previous type, but it was much easier to manufacture.
Early King Tiger With Porsche Turret
The sides remained 80 mm thick, but were cut at a less extreme angle of 20 degrees to accommodate the commander, which allowed the removal of the bulge in the side. The roof still consisted of three separate sheets, but this time all were 40 mm thick from the start. The front roof plate was angled at 78 degrees, the middle plate was mounted horizontally
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