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Unique ID 219: Tiger II Tank Schweizerische Militärmuseum, Full, Switzerland 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 Location History: 1: Wegmann & Co, Kassel, Germany (Henschel-designed turret manufacturer) 2: Henschel und Sohn, Kassel, Germany (Chassis manufacture and vehicle assembly September 1944) 3: France (In a camp after the war) 4: Panzermuseum, Thun, Switzerland (Until 2006) 5: Schweizerische Militärmuseum, Full, Switzerland (Current location) Unique ID: 219 Added to Database: July 2008 Type ID / Model ID: 210 / 400 Location Category / Location: 17710 / 17710 Text in original Preserved German Tanks publication: This King Tiger is missing its muzzle brake and the end of its gun barrel. Text in Preserved German Tanks Update: 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)

July 2009 Front left view on hull Taken: 11 July 2009 Contributor: M. Foti Photo ID: 3383 Added: 30 June 2010 Filename: IMG_4095... Views: 22		Engine compartment Taken: 11 July 2009 Contributor: M. Foti Photo ID: 3384 Added: 30 June 2010 Filename: IMG_4202... Views: 44		Turret close-up Taken: 11 July 2009 Contributor: M. Foti Photo ID: 3385 Added: 30 June 2010 Filename: IMG_4964... Views: 41
Radiators, before and after restoration Taken: 11 July 2009 Contributor: M. Foti Photo ID: 3386 Added: 30 June 2010 Filename: IMG_4080... Views: 36		Radiator fans, new and original Taken: 11 July 2009 Contributor: M. Foti Photo ID: 3387 Added: 30 June 2010 Filename: IMG_4079... Views: 41
August 2008 Turret front Taken: 30 August 2008 Contributor: M. Foti Photo ID: 1459 Added: 21 June 2009 Filename: Dig_KT_F... Views: 101		Upper rear view on hull Taken: 30 August 2008 Contributor: M. Foti Photo ID: 1460 Added: 21 June 2009 Filename: IMG3073_... Views: 100		Turret close-up Taken: 30 August 2008 Contributor: M. Foti Photo ID: 1519 Added: 28 June 2009 Filename: Dig_KT_F... Views: 95
Top view on engine compartment Taken: 30 August 2008 Contributor: M. Foti Photo ID: 1520 Added: 28 June 2009 Filename: Dig_KT_F... Views: 93		Rear left view Taken: 30 August 2008 Contributor: M. Foti Photo ID: 1456 Added: 21 June 2009 Filename: IMG3157_... Views: 103		Hull top view Taken: 30 August 2008 Contributor: M. Foti Photo ID: 1457 Added: 21 June 2009 Filename: IMG3109_... Views: 118
Turret on stand Taken: 30 August 2008 Contributor: M. Foti Photo ID: 1458 Added: 21 June 2009 Filename: IMG3108_... Views: 110
September 2007 Front view, photo by Schwepps 88 Taken: 27 September 2007 Contributor: Wikimedia Photo ID: 1533 Added: 28 June 2009 Filename: Dig_KT_F... Views: 94
September 2006 Rear left view, photo by D. Clemént Taken: 26 September 2006 Contributor: Wikimedia Photo ID: 1448 Added: 15 June 2009 Filename: Dig_Ktig... Views: 82		Front left view, photo by D. Clemént Taken: 26 September 2006 Contributor: Wikimedia Photo ID: 1447 Added: 15 June 2009 Filename: Dig_Ktig... Views: 94
April 1984 Front left view Taken: 27 April 1984 Contributor: Armour Archive Photo ID: 1324 Added: 30 May 2009 Filename: Scan_Kin... Views: 60		Front right view Taken: 27 April 1984 Contributor: Armour Archive Photo ID: 1271 Added: 23 May 2009 Filename: Scan_KT_... Views: 97		Front left view Taken: 27 April 1984 Contributor: Armour Archive Photo ID: 1323 Added: 30 May 2009 Filename: Scan_Kin... Views: 196

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