Tiger ausf. E : Umbrella

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Umbrella

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Apart from the first few vehicles, all Tigers were issued with a simple umbrella that could be attached over the cupola. It was made of fabric with internal metal supports.

Umbrella frames

These two metal arms, recovered from the ground, are from a Tiger's umbrella. Each of them was attached to one edge of a fabric rectangle.

Umbrella installed

This photo shows an umbrella installed in a Tiger's cupola. It appears that there is no crossbar joining the two arms, because the fabric between them is sagging. And there would be no need for a crossbar because each arm was inserted into a pipe welded to the cupola.

Umbrella plan

For the "Early" type of cupola, the umbrella was aligned side to side. But on second type of cupola, the umbrella was positioned such that the hatch could be opened without colliding with it. This plan diagram shows the orientation of the umbrella on "Mid" and "Late" Tigers. Note that the photograph agrees with the diagram.

Takom's umbrella

Takom have provided an umbrella in this kit, but upon assembling it we find the umbrella is not oriented correctly.

Takom's umbrella part

Upon examining the part "Y3" we find that it is unusable. Takom put the supporting legs in the correct positions on the cupola, therefore they don't meet the umbrella in the midpoints of its edges. And this is not a simple rectangle that we can correct easily. Takom have molded in a diagonal fold (the dashed line) and they have shaped the entire part around it. Furthermore, Takom assumed the existence of a crossbar, and made the fold exactly straight to represent one.

 
 

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