The Tiger II (or as was informally known to the Germans who fought in it, Königstiger), was a 70 tonne heavy tank. It was first used in combat with s.H.Pz.Abt. 503 during the Normandy campaign on 11 July 1944.
This Tiger II was at Bovington.
The Museum’s Tiger II was built in July 1944 by Henschel and given Fahrgestell Nummer (chassis number) 280093. It was abandoned on the 29th or 30th August, most likely at Aux Marais, a community on the outskirts of Beauvais around 15 miles further North-East. It has also long been believed that this tank was fired on, possibly after it was abandoned, by the Sherman commanded by Sergeant Roberts of 4 Troop, A Squadron, 23rd Hussars. It came to The Tank Museum from the Royal Military College at Shrivenham in 2006.
I have an old 15mm SDD King Tiger on my workbench.
The view of the Königstiger next to the Luchs light tank.
Photographs of the pre-production Tiger II at Bovington.