VK 36.01 (H)

VK 3601(H)prototype during tests.

On 9 September 1938, Henschel received permission to continue their work on the DW II. Two similar designs were created, the lighter (32 tons) VK 3001 (H) and later, the heavier (40 tons) VK3601(H). Both resembled PzKpfw IVs in their hull design, but their running gear was of a new design that consisted of overlapping road wheels. VK 3001 (H) medium and VK 3601 (H) heavy tanks had many parts in common, making their production and service much easier.

Only four VK 3001 (H) prototypes were produced, two in March 1941 and two in October 1941. All were completed in 1942 by Henschel. In early 1942, one prototype VK 3601 (H) was built, along with 5 prototype chassis. Originally, it was planned to mount the VK 3001 (H) with a turret armed with the 75mm L/24 or 105mm L/28 gun, but none of the prototypes were actually fitted with turrets. The VK 3601 (H) was to be armed with the 75mm KwK 42 L/70 (Gerat 725), the 88mm KwK 36 L/56 (mounted in the VK 4501 (P)'s turret), or the 105mm L/20 or L/28 gun. But just as with the VK 3001 (H), it was never armed with any weapon.

Both designs were completed as prototypes, but their further development was cancelled in 1942 in favor of the development of the VK 4501 (H) that later became the Tiger 1. Turrets produced for both designs were never mounted and instead, in 1944, six VK 3001 (H) turrets were used in permanent fortifications: Panzerstellung/Turmstellungs of the Atlantic and West Wall. Their running gear was later modified and used as a base for the Tiger and Panther's running gear.