Panzerjäger Tiger (P) – Sd.Kfz. 184 – Heavy Tank Destroyer – Elefant

Panzerjäger Tiger (P) – Sd.Kfz. 184 – Heavy Tank Destroyer – Elefant.

The Panzerjäger Tiger (P) Sd.Kfz. 184, commonly known as the Elefant, was a German heavy tank destroyer used during World War II. It was built on the chassis of the Tiger I tank, but instead of a traditional turret, the Elefant had a fixed superstructure housing a powerful 88mm Pak 43 L/71 gun, one of the most effective anti-tank weapons of the war. This gun was capable of destroying most Allied tanks, including the Soviet T-34 and American M4 Sherman, at extreme ranges.

The Elefant’s armor was formidable, with up to 200mm of frontal armor, making it resistant to most enemy fire. Powered by a Maybach HL 210 P30 engine producing 650 horsepower, the Elefant had a top speed of 20-25 km/h (12-16 mph), which was slow but adequate for its intended role as a long-range tank destroyer. It weighed approximately 70 tons, making it a very heavy and cumbersome vehicle.

Despite its impressive firepower and protection, the Elefant had operational drawbacks. It was prone to mechanical issues, particularly with its transmission, and its lack of a rotating turret limited its flexibility in combat. Only 89 units were produced in 1943-1944, and they saw limited use on the Eastern Front, where they had some success but were eventually outclassed by more mobile and versatile vehicles.

Photographed in The Tank Museum, Bovington – England in 2017, but belongs to the United States Army Ordnance Training and Heritage Center.

Location details

Located at

The Tank Museum Bovington – Dorset, United Kingdom

Linsay Rd, Bovington, Wareham BH20 6JG, UK