Need Help On My Sa-6

Hey guy, I was just wonder, why do tanks carry that big log on its back? For example, on the t 55 and on sa-6. Also, for those of you who have built the trumpeter 1/35 sa-6, what additional detail should be added for extra realism? I 've decided to: bend the mud guard to stimulate wear, scratch build the log because it looks bad, make the handles out of thick wire, and replace some of the clips with home made PE clips. What else should be added? Thanks. Let me know and I’ll start posting some progress pictures. I want to hear a lot of critism and suggustions.

P.S. I’ve decied to build my dio showing a sa-6 traveling through the forest crossing a sturdy bridge. There’s a sign pointing toward the destination. Would such a scene be appropriate for a sa-6?

The log often seen on Russian tanks is used as an “unditching” beam. Basically, when the tank gets stuck, whether in a hole (or ditch) or soft mud or sand, the log is attached to the tracks to provide extra traction.