The Tiger II is really a Panther: Discuss
 

The Tiger II is more like a Panther than a Tiger. So why is it always treated like an upgraded Tiger than a Panther?

It is treated as a Tiger or one crucil and simple reason: it made every enemy of the Reich shit his pants. Same effect that was with the Tiger I when it came out. Technicaly it really was more like a Panther, but it was muuuch better armored than a Tiger! Americans called it KT because their weapons were even less efective than they were with the Tiger. It all comes down to fear factor.

Don't forget the Panther II. Both similiar vehicles, at least the hull. I want to say that the idea was to simplify the big cat production.

It is a Tiger because the Germans called it a Tiger.

There's a lot of examples of vehicles sharing the same designation (more or less) but looking nothing like each other. Just have a look at the Panzer I Ausf A/B and C and F...

Arild :)

but it was the americans who gave it the name king tiger

And remember the Panther II ... !
A very different beast compared to the first Panther.
Also remember the VW "Golf". The one you buy today is very different than the one you could buy in the early 80's.
Same name for different cats.

The Americans called it the King Tiger...
 

The Americans called it the King Tiger because that was the English translation of the German name given the tank, Konigstiger. Also the Panther II and Tiger II were to share as many componants as possible during construction but since the Panther II never went into production that never happened. They were to have the same transmission, final drives, engine, road wheels, and the tracks for the Panther II were the transport tracks for the Tiger II. Although the Tiger II was a big bad tank it never really proved it's value due to it being very expensive and highly unreliable. Did it have shock value, yes but it didn't last very long as most of the Tiger II encounted by the allies were broken down ones.

Roy

I was taken off guard when I heard a ww2 vet refer to it as a "Royal Tiger" in one of the latest greatest tank battle episodes. Now I spot the name all over, mostly in documents during the war. I guess it's what the troops called it eh?

I am learning a lot here with this discussion.
Thanks to all that are participating.

AWD

Roy!

As far as I know the Germans called it only Tiger II, until they heard the Americans were calling it King/Royal Tiger...:confused:now that's a tricky one... which was first, the egg or the chicken?