About this detail of the Tiger
Within the Tiger's hull, just forward of the turret ring, was a roof support brace ( "Deckenträger" ). The brace was welded and bolted to the hull sides. This CAD model shows its general shape.
Steel strips and bent corner pieces were fitted between the brace and the hull plates. This allowed for slight deviations in the dimensions of the hull.
On the right-hand side, a steel plate of 2mm thickness was clipped to the brace, covering a large hole and protecting the main ammunition storage from the MG. There was no such protection on the driver's side.
This is the Late Tiger at Saumur museum. We are looking at the right-hand side of the brace from behind. You can see the clips holding the steel panel in place.
The brace is made of 15mm steel plate. This is inside the same tank, which was painted green postwar. You can see how the brace is attached to the hull, and the remnants of the original paint colours (Ivory and red primer).
[1] Survey of Tiger 250122, at Bovington museum, by David Byrden