Does anyone have any idea of when the jack on the Tiger II was moved from the original mounting point under the mufflers? I gather they just started storing it internally.

G'day Bob

The jack and block were deleted in about mid October 1944, although I have seen a pic of a KT with block but no jack.

Regards

Rob

Thanks Rob. I've seen a few pics with the block still mounted, but jack gone. In fact, that's what prompted this query. Appreciate the info.

Are there any pictures out there of the jack being used ?
In my limited collection of reference material I've never seen a single photo of one being used.

I really doubt they stored the jack INSIDE the tank - what would be the advantage? Disadvantages - lack of space - extreme difficulty passing it out a hatch. They probably realized that it was pointless trying to repair Tiger ll tracks or wheels in the field - an immobilized Tiger ll was as good as lost!

Don't think I've ever run across a picture of one in use either.

Storing it inside would be insane. That thing had to weigh 50 pounds, or better. I think the crew would have just let it ride on the engine deck instead.

I agree with Biggles - I think by that stage of the war the Germans realised that it was pretty pointless to try and repair KTs, but why they still mounted the block I have no idea. Perhaps it was because they were in stock when the tank was built and they had nothing better to do with them?

Of course, by this stage, many German tanks left the factory with a full tank of fuel and were simply abandoned when it ran out. Another reason for no jack was probably that the service life of the tracks was longer than the anticipated life of the tank. The well photographed KT 222 from the Ardennes had a service life of around three weeks from when it was issued to when it was knocked out.

Regards

Rob

The jack was rated at 20 tons, the tank weighed over seventy. It was deemed a pointless accessory, and was dropped (though some Jagdtiger crews disagreed, and stowed a loose jack on the engine deck).