A Tiger II Returns
A look at the restoration of the Tiger II, including the only operational example and The Tank Museum’s major King Tiger V2 restoration project.
With only 492 produced during the last 18 months of World War II, the German Tiger II — or “King Tiger” — was probably the operational tank with the lowest production numbers of the war. Beginning in July 1944, during the Normandy Campaign, Tiger IIs served on the Eastern Front and took part in the “Battle of the Bulge”. Several were used in the defence of Berlin during the last weeks of the war in April 1945.
Much has been written about this last tank design to come out of Germany’s factories and its war record. Still, it is one thing to read about them, but something altogether different to actually see one up close in person. About the only thing that beats seeing one in a museum is to see a Tiger II being put through its paces at a mobility display.
The only operational example today is held by the Musée des Blindés in Saumur, France, which makes rare forays to give demonstrations at shows. The accompanying example is known to have been in service with the 3rd Company of the Schwere Panzerabteilung 503 and abandoned by the crew on Aug. 23, 1944 after developing engine trouble. It was recovered later by the French, who placed it in storage until it was acquired by the Musée des Blindés in 1975. Fully restored, it has since been making appearances at shows and events over the years, including an unforgettable display at Tankfest 2025 held at the Tank Museum at Bovington in Dorset, England.
The Tank Museum at Bovington has also an example on display — one of only 10 known to extist. Mostly, the remaining examples are hybrids built up using parts from several vehicles with a few still in the process of being restored or rebuilt. In September 2025 the Tank Museum at Bovington announced it was undertaking a full and comprehensive restoration program of its King Tiger V2. Probably inspired by the success of the French visitor, the museum launched a fund-raising scheme to help in bankroll the project.
At the time of this writing more than half of the 1 million pounds required for the project has been raised from public donations, including a £100,000 contribution from William Bannister, who owns a fine collection of military vehicles. This has allowed the museum to begin work on the project with the hull and chassis stripped down, the turret removed and the gun dismounted. Much has been revealed — such as the waterproof sealant that was still intact — and provided a better understanding of the workings of the vehicle.
The project is allowing research to be completed into different aspects of the vehicle, such as the KwK43 L/71 8.8cm gun which reveals the stamp markings from the manufacturer, R18 FL 43 amp, confirming it was made by Rohr and the 18th gun produced. Other markings indicate the gun is the original mounted in the vehicle when it was built. It is actually a trial chassis example captured at the Haustenbeck trials and testing grounds and brought to the museum in 1952. At the Tankfest 2026, the doors to the workshop were opened to reveal all the component parts laid out to show how much work is involved. For all intents and purposes, it is a complete rebuild.
Donations are still being pledged and work is continuing. The restoration team is estimating it will take another four years to complete all the work. Some parts have to be specially made, including some of the tools required.
To keep up to date on developments and progress, including more background history of the vehicle, visit www.tankmuseum.org/ktv2.
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