i’m trying to think up some ideas on what to scratchbuild and make with putty. i have a C-1 Ariete, so what would modern tanks have in their back basket? i don’t think the C-1 has seen combat yet, and its not like the older tanks or modern HMMWVs in combat that look like a rolling flea market. stowage wouldn’t fit on the back hull for it would block the exhaust and turret movement, so i think its limited to just the rear basket. any ideas?
The Europeans don’t seem to carry as much “stuff” in the bustle rack as Americans do. I’ve had no experience working with the Italians, but the French, Dutch and Germans seemed to limit there loads to a tarp or two and some rail loading tie down equipment and that was about it. Americans on the other hand, we would’ve crammed a bratwurst stand in the bustle rack if we thought we’d get away with it.[2c]
It’s also an issue of exposed stowage. Modern Eurotanks like Challenger 2 often have hinged lids on their racks: Keeps the rain off without worrying about tarp rolls and protects against having your gear ripped apart by airburst artillery. Airete does not appear to be one of these, but if you want to model pretty much any tank in Iraq these days, stowage isn’t usually an issue as all the personal gear is kept on base: Only stuff immediately needed for the mission tends to be carried, so no sleeping bags, duffle bags, mats, etc. Just boxes of spare parts, water, ammo, the crew’s dismount gear (webbing, helmets, et al), and so on. Note that Arietes in Iraq took a few modifications along with them such as gunshields for the two roof-mounted machineguns.
That said, there is also the issue of doctrine. The company trains in some countries will often transport the non-combat equipment (Even the fourth tank crewman in the case of the French!), thus relieving the crews of the need to find places on the tank to put their stuff.
NTM