Tiger ausf. E : Back of radio op's sponson

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Back of radio op's sponson

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The radio operator owned the front compartment of the right-hand sponson on the Tiger. Every surface in that compartment was used for storage. Here, we examine its rear wall.

Roof brace and radio op's sponson

This Tiger has been stripped bare. Looking forwards from the middle hull, we can see the radio operator's sponson through a hole in the roof support brace. But this particular hole was closed by a panel, so it formed a complete solid wall. [2]


In standard Tigers

Roof brace and panel

Here, in a repainted museum Tiger, we can see the panel covering the hole. An MG toolbox is attached to it, plus a rail for three MG ammunition bags. [3]

Rear wall populated

This diagram shows that wall fully populated. The side wall was filled end to end with more ammunition bags (drawn here) and that is why only three could fit on the rear wall.


In Command Tigers

Rear of radio op's sponson in Command Tiger

In Command Tigers this wall carried an interesting selection of equipment. The original design drawing for Befehlstiger hulls still survives [4] , and this is an extract from it.

The storage boxes for the antenna simulators are items 35 and 36. Item 15 is the "U20a" power transformer for the Fu 7's transmitter. If the Fu 8 radio were carried instead, its "U30a" transformer would be substituted here. They had the same "footprint" and slotted into the same base plate.

Item 53 is a standard holder for a half-periscope, suitable for the radio operator's hatch. And item 38 is the same MG34 toolbox that ordinary Tigers carried on this wall.

Rear of radio op's sponson in Command Tiger

The German drawing [4] shows only the original Befehlstiger layout. We don't know how this may have evolved over time, but analysis of the Mid Tiger in Kubinka museum [1] suggests that it was stable. However, the Kubinka tank has at least one change to this wall. Its MG toolbox is moved to the location sketched here. (I have not drawn the transformer's cables or plug.)

This is in fact a better position, allowing the box' lid to open sideways rather than downwards, and making room for the cables of the power transformer. This change was probably made early, perhaps before any Befehlstigers were built.

[1] Survey of Tiger at Kubinka museum by Alexander Diw

[2] Survey of Tiger 250122, at Bovington museum, by David Byrden

[3] Survey of Tiger 250031, by Stephan Vogt

[4] Workshop drawing J 3039 : Befehlstiger hull interior

 
 

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