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Turret ring cowling, second type
With the redesign of the Tiger's turret in July 1943, the large sealing ring for underwater travel was eliminated. The turret ring mechanisms were completely covered by a new cowling of typical German design.
This is the turret lock at the right side of the turret. (The vehicle is a museum specimen and has been painted green since the war, but some of the original ivory paint is rusting away at extreme left.) Behind the turret lock we can see the turret cowling, which is made of sheet metal. It comprises 4 segments; there are 3 bolts at each joint, and we can see one joint on the left of the photo. The bolts have 10mm hex heads.
This diagram shows the main dimensions of the cowling. The base of the turret wall is at the right, suspended above the hull roof. The three screws are shown. Also shown is one of the screws that attach the cowling to the turret.
This plan view shows the segments of the cowling, the screws that attach it to the turret, and the cut-outs that allow it to clear the various pieces of equipment on the turret ring. The free internal diameter of the turret is indicated.
This unusual view is looking forwards, under the main gun. The gun elevation mechanism is near to us; behind it we can see the cowling. This sheltered area retains some of its original ivory paint. The frame hanging on the cowling is part of the firing mechanism for the turret MG. Note that the turret is not facing precisely forwards.
Taken from the Tiger Turret Manual, this diagram shows the cowling and the mechanisms protected by it.
Sources
[2] Survey of vehicle 251114, at Saumur, by Jean-Charles Breucque
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