Track link holders

The later Tigers were fitted with holders on the turret sides for spare links of track. These diagrams, copied from German originals, show the form and position of the holders. Green dimensions are quoted on original German documents; blue ones are measured from various sources and may be a few millimeters wrong.

For each holder, a pin was mounted on a bracket welded to the lower turret side. This diagram shows the mounting.

There was a hinged hook on the top edge of the turret. Its part number was cast prominently on top

The number seems to consist of two parts, the letters "oKH" and below them, in larger font, the digits "2760-3". This example is in Saumur museum.

The lower and upper parts were slightly offset. They were welded at right angles to the hull armour.

The hook could be locked by putting a U-shaped metal rod into two holes.

Initially there were three holders on the right side of the turrret; later this was reduced to two. I have not figured out their exact positions - the German diagrams are incorrectly dimensioned! - but I think this drawing is correct for the case of two holders.

On the left side of the turret, the German drawing specifies exactly where to position the five holders.

This diagram shows how a track link was held in its holder. Note that only the wider 'combat' track links would fit. Also note that the track guide horns are towards the lower end of the link. The pin on the bottom support fits into the hole for the track pin.

If a track pin were dropped into the right-hand side of the link, it would come to rest like this. Photographs show that pins were often stored in the left-hand side; they would have to be locked in place somehow.

Sources

[1] Factory drawing: Turmgehause 2AKF31861U1B11 (overall turret armour)

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