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Umbrella
The Tiger's cupola was provided with an umbrella, to keep the commander dry when the hatch was open. It was introduced in November 1942 [1, see 3.4.2.5] .
This was a canvas sheet, about 700mm by 1100mm, stretched over a tubular metal frame.
The legs of the umbrella inserted into two tubes that were permanently attached to the front and rear of the cupola. These tubes were exactly 700mm apart.
The legs of the umbrella could apparently be detached from the upper frame, which consisted of two parts with no connecting crossbeam. Therefore the device could be stored in very little space.
Photographs of the umbrella in use are rare. This is probably because a support arm was also added to the cupola design, to hold the hatch almost vertical when open. The umbrella could no longer be used when the hatch was open.
When the turret was redesigned the umbrella was unchanged; but the two supporting tubes were moved to new positions on the new cupola, as shown above. The new hatch opened to the side on a vertical hinge; in its new position, the umbrella no longer collided with the hatch.
This is the position of the umbrella for all 'mid' and 'late' turrets.
Sources
[1] DW to Tiger 1
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