Jagdpanzer Tiger (P) Ferdinand/Elefant, SdKfz 184

Porsche had already constructed 90 chassis for their own version of the Tiger when they found out Henschel's design was accepted. Thus to avoid waste the chassis were converted into tank destoryers carrying the powerful 88mm PaK 43 anti-tank gun. In order to do this, the engine was moved to the center, and a big box-like armored superstructure was installed at the rear. The vehicle was originally named Ferdinand, in honor of its designer, Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, but was nicknamed Elefant by the troops and it stuck. Although the vehicle was very well-protected by thick armor and carried a powerful gun, it was gravely underpowered and thus mechanically unreliable. In addition, in the early models there was not a single machine-gun for local self-defense. The Elefant thus fell victim to aggressive Russian infantry tank-hunters when it first saw action at Kursk in 1943. The surviving Elefants were called back so that a machine-gun could be mounted in the hull. These were subsequently sent to Italy. The last Elefant was destroyed in 1944.

Click on one of the thumbnails below to view the full picture.
	Technical data and/or diagram of Jagdpanzer Tiger (P) Ferdinand Elefant.
	The Elefant was one of the failures of the German Panzerjäger designers. It was too complicated and generally unreliable.
	Infantry march past a disabled Flefant. Although it had formidable armor protection and the powerful PaK 43 gun, this vehicle was very vulnerable to enemy infantry attacks from sides or rear.

Back to German Tank Destroyers/Assault Guns Page
Back to Heer Page
Back to Homepage