Tiger ausf. E : Supports for superstructure front

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Supports for superstructure front

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About this detail of the Tiger

The front plate of the Tiger's superstructure was welded to the top and side plates. Additionally, there were two support arms for it within the tank.

Support for superstructure front

This is the right-hand support, seen from the radio operator's position. There is a handle for the crewman to hold when the vehicle is on rough ground. I have drawn the edges of the plates, but these were in fact obscured by weld lines of about 20mm thickness. Note that a small piece of steel is wedged into the gap at the rear; this allows for variations in hull length.

Support for superstructure front

These supports were welded into niches in the lower hull sides. They were flush with the inside surface of the hull.

Support for superstructure front

This diagram shows the left-hand support arm. It is a mirror image of the right. It is made of 30mm steel plate, and the upper part of it is bent to meet the front plate.

Support for superstructure front

Here are the approximate dimensions of a support. The reason for bending it is that the hull flexes slightly. If the weld were a straight line, flexing might cause it to break. Therefore a curved notch is cut into the arm, and the weld line runs along this curve.

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

 
 

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