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Turret External Fittings
People have lately been asking me about fittings on the outside of the turret. In most cases they know what an item looks like but they don't know exactly where to place it.
This diagram shows some of the fittings on the late-model turret. Use it in conjunction with this other page where you can read the primary dimensions. Green dimensions are quoted directly off German design drawings. Blue dimensions are obtained by surveying vehicles, scaling off undimensioned drawings, etc.
The facts about these fittings are as follows:
The three Pilsen (supports for a removable crane) are exactly 1500mm apart, the rear one being 90mm forward of the turret edge, and as you can see on this other page with the overall dimensions, the forward two are slightly off-center.
The vision ports are not at the same relative locations on both sides.
The gun is precisely centered on the turret axis.
The late-model cupola was not at the same location as the early model.
The escape hatch was at precisely 45 degrees.
The late-model pistol port was not at precisely 45 degrees; it was placed corresponding to the hole from the earlier type.
The left-hand side of the turret was the wider side, since it had to accomodate the gunner.
The lug at the rear of the turret did not have a surrounding welded sleeve. Several models and drawings have this wrong.
The diagram above carries some dimensions to illustrate these points.
Sources
[1] Survey of vehicle 250122, Bovington, by David Byrden
[2] Factory drawing: Turmgehause 2AKF31861U1B12 (turret front plates)
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Copyright © David Byrden 1998-2007 except where indicated.
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