The Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger (often shortened to Tiger) was a German heavy tank during World War II. Known informally as the Tiger I to distinguish it from its successor, the Tiger II, orders for the final production model began as early as October 1942 with production commencing from August 1942, and were in service from September 1942 (501st Heavy Panzer Battalion) onward. The initial variants were given the ordnance inventory designation Sd.Kfz. 181, while later the improved variant were designated Sd.Kfz. 182; this was later simplified to Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. E in March 1943 and Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. B in January 1944.
