Filters on top of engine

The primary air filters for the Tiger's engine were mounted on top of the engine itself, within the tank.

The original HL 210 engine had three filters; the later HL 230 engine had two.

These filters were drum-shaped. This photograph shows a filter in the 'Saumur' Tiger [1] , with its lid removed. The outside of the filter does not have its original colours, but the inside shows a clean metal finish. Wartime photos of engines suggest the same finish on the outside.

The lid of this particular filter was held in place by 6 catches.

The filter was fixed to the engine by a long bolt through the center of its lid. This is the underside.

We are fortunate to have the German diagrams with dimensions of the HL 230 engine [2] . I have drawn official German dimensions in green. This view, from above, shows that the filters were located slightly behind the midline of the engine's cylinder banks.

From other measurements, it seems there was only about 20mm clearance between the filters and the Tiger's engine hatch. The wingnut on the filter lid was concealed within a depression.

This shows the position of the filters in relation to the midline of the engine cylinders.

Sources

[1] Survey of vehicle 251114, at Saumur, by Jean-Charles Breucque

[2] Workshop drawing 021 B 42581 : HL 230 external dimensions

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