Does anyone have any idea of the travel limits of the torsion bar suspension on the bogie wheels of the Panzer V? I assume that the tension increases in the clockwise direction, but I need to know the vertical limits of travel.
The Pz V that I am modelling is displayed on rough ground and I want to be reasonably sure that the bogie wheels are correctly displayed.
I don’t have the answer for you but know that the Panther was extremely heavy and unless it were going over rocks or extremely secure terrain (like heavy curbstones), don’t show too much of a raised torsion bar – frankly the Panther squashed everything down with its weight or dug through terrain.
Do it slightly but mostly you should show the earth giving way. Take a look at some google images of M1 Abrams in Iraq or UN forces in Yugoslavia. Look at your boooks and you’ll see what I mean.
HTH
You make a good point T26E4. In my case however, the Pz V is moving over an embankment with about 30% of the front end in mid-air. So the issue really is how much downward extension to put into the torsion bars in the area of the unsupported track. I suspect that I need to show very little given the tension in the track itself. Any thoughts?
What you need is a photograph; [:)]
To paraphrase this photo’s caption; this is a dangerous thing to do, as it exposes the thin belly armor of the tank to the enemy, any hit would likely penetrate. It also presents the lower nose armor to the enemy at 0 degrees, again, a bad idea. This is not something you would want to make a habit of doing.
German tank drivers were taught to “drive as a stream flows”, meaning to follow the lowest contours of the land to make optimum use of the protection provided by the topography. This sort of maneuver is rather antithetical to this philosophy.
Someone want to explain the wooden bench on the engine deck? What is this for…spectators? Where’s the beach umbrella? Who’s got the beer? [party]
Now that’s what I’d call a very interesting photo…travel lock engaged, canvas cover over the muzzle, uncrewed Flak 38 in the background, bench seats on the engine deck, vehicle elevated for maximum view height…maybe he’s tailgating? [:D]
Great photo Kykeon…looks much like what I’m trying to model. In my case a Pzkw V breaking through a hedgerow in the Bocage in Normandy. Good information in the photo re the travel in the bogie suspension. Thanks for taking the time to help me out.