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The first Tiger I to be completed was the pre-production tank V1. The extra layer of armour on the front, known as Vorpanzer, was designed to be lowered to protect the tracks and drive sprockets in action. It was not applied to production machines. This tank was demonstrated to Hitler on his birthday, 20 April 1942. | |
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Tiger I production lines were set up at Kassel to commence assembly in April 1942 but there were so many difficulties that the programme was only starting to get into its stride by the end of the year. This photograph is said to show Minister Albert Speer walking through the factory during one of his regular visits. |
Click to find out how to purchase this photo. Tank Museum photo No. 4920/C/4 |
Click to find out how to purchase this photo. Tank Museum photo No. 2395/C/1 |
The next stage in the assembly process was the matching of tank and turret. Notice that at this stage the tank's hull is running on the narrow transport tracks. Initially the authorities had set production objectives of some ten to fifteen tanks per month but this was not easily achieved. |
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Once it was complete the tank was tested and inspected before being issued for service. Here a Tiger, with turret reversed, plunges down a steep bank, crushing some small trees in the process. By November 1942 some 40 tanks had been produced. |
Click to find out how to purchase this photo. Tank Museum photo No. 2395/D/1 |
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