Almost unbelievably, the design history of the Tiger II started in 1937! This was the most feared German tank of World War 2, a tank which had the best armour, and best main gun (the 88mm KwK43) which could slice through anything the Allies had, on both the West and East Fronts.
Production started in 1943, and continued to the end of the war. 492 were produced, but though a great design, and great weapon carrier, the tank suffered from serious problems of breakdowns due to being rushed into production, and having no time to improve standards of manufacture.
Nonetheless, this truly was the king of the battlefield, and struck fear into any and all opposition.