King Tiger Rear Hatch

Dale jordan · Post by **Dale jordan** » Thu May 21, 2009 9:22 am

I talked to Noel about this topic a couple of months ago.. He realy knows his stuff and he believes as the comments above, that when the hatch was open if the crew where on the rear engine deck they could quickly enter the rear hatch by holding onto the top of the opening and slid on their bums into the turret with out being snaged on the locking fitting ... Dale

Chang · Post by **Chang** » Fri May 22, 2009 5:33 pm

I wonder is there any archived WW2 German Wehrmacht's info had mentioned about the purpose of this sheet metal tray? However, it makes sense for sliding something easier through the hatch ---either shells or the crew.

Dale jordan · Post by **Dale jordan** » Sat May 23, 2009 3:30 am

Here we go everyone page 113 Jentz@doyle german tiger tank book ..

Paul Morris · Post by **Paul Morris** » Sat May 23, 2009 9:54 am

Hi Dale.
Yes...seen the picture and read the book... but...guess i missed something under the photo it says "sheet metal "shield" inside the rear hatch" but still no firm explanation of what it was intended for

Paul

Ad Wouterse · Post by **Ad Wouterse** » Sun May 24, 2009 7:33 pm

Hi guys,

A little DTP fiddeling on the picture discloses following text.

"the sheet metal shield inside the rear hatch ... lack of armor guards for the torsion bars counterbalancing the turret rear hatch"
Hope this helps.

Paul Morris · Post by **Paul Morris** » Sun May 24, 2009 7:40 pm

Hi Ad.
The torsion bars and the lack or armor guards it speaks of are on the outside of the turret i'm afraid, the rear hatch was hinged on torsion bars in order to make closing it easier, the armored guards covered these torsion bars.
Cheers Paul

Ad Wouterse · Post by **Ad Wouterse** » Mon May 25, 2009 8:52 pm

Hi Paul,

I think you are right.
I had a look at some super detail pictures from panzerbasics.com and these clearly show that there is nothing that could be protected by the sheet metal shield. No hinges, no torsion bars, nothing.
There is only a support roller behind the breech and plenty of grenade storage racks.
So my vote goes to a spent casing slide (or for protection during a hasty escape).

Chang · Post by **Chang** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:02 am

Hi Steve,
Receive THE modified turret's rear hatch and other parts today. Very high quality! Thanks!

Regards,
Lerh Chang