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UNIQUE ID 219: TIGER II TANK

(Model: Henschel Turret Model)

Schweizerische Militärmuseum, Full, Switzerland

(Location: Museum Building)


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Sample Photo from Tank with UniqueID 219


Unique ID: 219
Added to Database: July 2008
Last Edited: 30 June 2010
Type (ID): Tiger II (210)
Model (ID): Henschel Turret Model (400)
Location Category (ID): Schweizerische Militärmuseum (17710)
Location (ID): Museum Building (17710)
Serial Number: “280215” - chassis number.
Registration:
Name:
Other Identification: “341” and German crosses painted on turret sides. Painted overall in a green, brown and yellow camouflage scheme.
In the 1980’s: “331” and German crosses painted on the turret sides. 1 SS Panzer Korps emblem painted on glacis. Painted overall in a dark green and yellow camouflage scheme.
Collection Reference:
Links: Königstiger.ch
– German

– English
– Gallery
1 SS Panzerkorps – Wikipedia
References:
Associated Tanks:

Location History:
(see map)

1: Wegmann & Co, Kassel, Nordhessen, Germany (Henschel-designed turret manufacturer)
2: Henschel und Sohn, Kassel, Nordhessen, Germany (Chassis manufacture and vehicle assembly September 1944)
3: France (In a camp after the war)
4: Panzermuseum, Thun, Bern, Switzerland (Until 2006)
5: Schweizerische Militärmuseum, Full, Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland (Current location)


This King Tiger is fitted with a Henschel turret. It arrived on 14 September 2006 from Thun as a permanent loan. It is to be restored over some years from the ground up. The turret has been removed and is displayed separately on a stand, while the hull has been stripped of its tracks, engine and other components. Restoration began in November 2007 and it was found that the engine, transmission and steering systems were largely complete, though some parts such as the air filter and carburettor were missing, and the alternator and fans were in poor condition. Most sheet metals parts were rusted away, including the fuel tanks, fans, and covers. Where possible existing parts are being restored and reused, while missing or badly corroded parts are being replaced. Restoration work takes place in the main hall of the museum, where visitors can watch its progress.
In the years after World War II the French army gifted to Switzerland several German tanks. Some of these vehicles were subsequently used for experiments or for targets on firing ranges such as Hartziele. Some still survive in the outdoor display area of Thun museum, and over the intervening period they have been repainted a number of times so their original markings have been lost. The story of how this vehicle came from France to Switzerland is now shrouded in mystery, and today no documents can be found about how it came or by what route it reached Thun. It is not known where the tank served so the museum is now trying to clarify its history. From its chassis number ‘280215’ it is clear that it was manufactured and delivered in September 1944. Remains of Zimmerit anti-magnetic mine coating indicate that it was originally equipped with such a coating.
According to the Koenigstiger.ch website a recently discovered photograph shows the King Tiger after the war at a camp somewhere in France. At that time it was fitted with transport track but the muzzle damage and other details identify it as the same vehicle. Further it suggests that the chassis number and the timing of delivery imply that it served with Schwere Panzer Abteilung 506. However, sPzAbt 506 returned to Germany from the Eastern Front in August 1944, received its Tigers IIs during August and September, and deployed to Holland late in September. It is therefore unclear how a tank from that unit could have ended up in a camp in France at the end of the war. Nonetheless, the most likely alternative unit would probably have been sPzAbt 503 but it was mostly equipped with Tiger IIs fitted with Porsche turrets; it only received a handful of vehicles fitted with Henschel turrets, and in any case most of its tanks were abandoned or destroyed by their crews following the withdrawal through the Falaise gap at the end of August 1944. The origin of this vehicle therefore remains a mystery.

Images - Photographs and NavPix (click to expand or browse)

October 2010

Engine compartment
1: Engine compartment

Taken: 15 October 2010
Contributor: W. Dirks
Photo ID: 3868
Added: 31 October 2010
Filename: IMG-0048...
Views: 2687
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    

 

Turret interior, looking through rear hatch
2: Turret interior, looking through rear hatch

Taken: 15 October 2010
Contributor: W. Dirks
Photo ID: 3869
Added: 31 October 2010
Filename: IMG-0040...
Views: 8936
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    

 

Forward crew compartment cover
3: Forward crew compartment cover

Taken: 15 October 2010
Contributor: W. Dirks
Photo ID: 3870
Added: 31 October 2010
Filename: IMG-0044...
Views: 2639
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    



Roadwheels
4: Roadwheels

Taken: 15 October 2010
Contributor: W. Dirks
Photo ID: 3871
Added: 31 October 2010
Filename: IMG-0057...
Views: 1926
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    



Suspension torsion bar arms
5: Suspension torsion bar arms

Taken: 15 October 2010
Contributor: W. Dirks
Photo ID: 3872
Added: 31 October 2010
Filename: IMG-0063...
Views: 5803
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    



Turret and basket
6: Turret and basket

Taken: 15 October 2010
Contributor: W. Dirks
Photo ID: 3873
Added: 31 October 2010
Filename: IMG-0037...
Views: 2011
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    



Final drive components
7: Final drive components

Taken: 15 October 2010
Contributor: W. Dirks
Photo ID: 3874
Added: 31 October 2010
Filename: IMG-0089...
Views: 1914
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    

    

    



July 2009

Front left view on hull
8: Front left view on hull

Taken: 11 July 2009
Contributor: M. Foti
Photo ID: 3383
Added: 30 June 2010
Filename: IMG_4095...
Views: 1757
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    



 

Engine compartment
9: Engine compartment

Taken: 11 July 2009
Contributor: M. Foti
Photo ID: 3384
Added: 30 June 2010
Filename: IMG_4202...
Views: 1718
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    



 

Turret close-up
10: Turret close-up

Taken: 11 July 2009
Contributor: M. Foti
Photo ID: 3385
Added: 30 June 2010
Filename: IMG_4964...
Views: 4721
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    



Radiators, before and after restoration
11: Radiators, before and after restoration

Taken: 11 July 2009
Contributor: M. Foti
Photo ID: 3386
Added: 30 June 2010
Filename: IMG_4080...
Views: 2096
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    



Radiator fans, new and original
12: Radiator fans, new and original

Taken: 11 July 2009
Contributor: M. Foti
Photo ID: 3387
Added: 30 June 2010
Filename: IMG_4079...
Views: 2478
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    

    



August 2008

Rear left view
13: Rear left view

Taken: 30 August 2008
Contributor: M. Foti
Photo ID: 1456
Added: 21 June 2009
Filename: IMG3157_...
Views: 2205
Select/Has Priority: 22/22
    



 

Hull top view
14: Hull top view

Taken: 30 August 2008
Contributor: M. Foti
Photo ID: 1457
Added: 21 June 2009
Filename: IMG3109_...
Views: 2127
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    



 

Turret on stand
15: Turret on stand

Taken: 30 August 2008
Contributor: M. Foti
Photo ID: 1458
Added: 21 June 2009
Filename: IMG3108_...
Views: 3083
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    



Turret front
16: Turret front

Taken: 30 August 2008
Contributor: M. Foti
Photo ID: 1459
Added: 21 June 2009
Filename: Dig_KT_F...
Views: 2180
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    



Upper rear view on hull
17: Upper rear view on hull

Taken: 30 August 2008
Contributor: M. Foti
Photo ID: 1460
Added: 21 June 2009
Filename: IMG3073_...
Views: 2096
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    



Turret close-up
18: Turret close-up

Taken: 30 August 2008
Contributor: M. Foti
Photo ID: 1519
Added: 28 June 2009
Filename: Dig_KT_F...
Views: 1783
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    



Top view on engine compartment
19: Top view on engine compartment

Taken: 30 August 2008
Contributor: M. Foti
Photo ID: 1520
Added: 28 June 2009
Filename: Dig_KT_F...
Views: 1901
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    

    

    



September 2007

Front view, photo by Schwepps 88
20: Front view, photo by Schwepps 88

Taken: 27 September 2007
Contributor: Wikimedia
Photo ID: 1533
Added: 28 June 2009
Filename: Dig_KT_F...
Views: 2080
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    

    

    



September 2006

Front left view, photo by D. Clemént
21: Front left view, photo by D. Clemént

Taken: 26 September 2006
Contributor: Wikimedia
Photo ID: 1447
Added: 15 June 2009
Filename: Dig_Ktig...
Views: 2518
Select/Has Priority: 22/0
    



 

Rear left view, photo by D. Clemént
22: Rear left view, photo by D. Clemént

Taken: 26 September 2006
Contributor: Wikimedia
Photo ID: 1448
Added: 15 June 2009
Filename: Dig_Ktig...
Views: 1865
Select/Has Priority: 22/0