I’m talking about all of the parts that go on yer tank after it’s done…all of the tools! Does anyone have links/books/anything about what these all actually looked like? Or better yet, what they’re used for? It certainly would help me with accurate weathering if I knew how it was used, hence how it was weathered…especially with the more obscure random hunks of metal.
I remember WBill posting a pic of some cutters at the bottom of one of his tutorials (Pz.III, maybe?) that showed exactly what they looked like “in person”, as well as what they were made of - leading to more replication accuracy…hopefully. Any luck with any of the other tools?
I feel like a complete n00b asking this, but I always get to the final stages of a build and a bunch of question marks start popping up over my head. Heh. [?][?][D)][?][?]
the wire cutter handles were ‘bakelite’(sp?)(primitive plastic) not wood-- does that help?[:D]–I assume you are speaking of axis tanks[}:)], but, I think there is some debate over this— in some pics I have, they look like wood over a steel shaft–tread[8D]
Wire cutter handles (German) had two types, one type was bakelite, the other was resin-impregnated corrugated paper. Given the amount of pressure required to use them, a smoother handle was more desireable I think with the added bonus of having greater protection/insulation against potential electrocution when cutting, well, wires. [:)]
As far as the actual tools and what they looked like, hunt around using Google for WW2 re-enactor/collectible sites and you’ll find lots of examples available. They pop up on E-bay a lot under authentic memorabilia too. For the most part though they were rather ordinary…ash handles and metal/steel heads with the exception of the wire cutters.
Dupes so you want to know there functions.Well shovel for digging around the tracks if need be-like mud-to get to the links,also for digging fox holes and embankiment.Who want to get caught in a shelling birage in a tank.Axe for chopping wood and cutting trees out of the road.Sleadge hammer to pound track pins to bust them loose to replace.German had two “C” looking things to help pull tracks together and fasten.All them rods on the side of the tank were ram rods for cleaning the gun barrels.Then you had pry bars and crank handles for jacks.Also the jack too.When a tank came out of the factory all tool except handle were steel and shinny,most tanker would paint them the color of the tank so sun light would not bounce off and give away there position.Or they would dull them with grease.After a peroid of time the paint would chip off showing the steel again,so when it was time to repaint the tank,the tools got a paint job too…Digger
A German tank veteran said that tool stowage locations were adhered to rather strictly – most important with the sledge hammer and the pry bars. The reason was if a track was thrown at night, every crew member could get out and get the needed tools to quickly repair a track. The pry bars and hammer were vital to this task. HTH
If you can, grab any of the Achtung Panzer books which have drawings of the tools and their mounting brackets/clips. I don’t have anything more than that. Good luck
A German tank veteran said that tool stowage locations were adhered to rather strictly – most important with the sledge hammer and the pry bars. The reason was if a track was thrown at night, every crew member could get out and get the needed tools to quickly repair a track. The pry bars and hammer were vital to this task. HTH
Excellent point. This is why the military in any country develops and adheres strict discipline among it’s members. Those who haven’t been in service dont grasp this and can only make jokes about it.
Support equipment and tools were designed for a purpose and weren’t superfluous. They were useful and their loss was not only felt when needed, but could mean the difference between life and death if missing. Backpackers and divers will understand this, too.
On the other hand, no need to be maniacal about it. DO whatever research you want, as long as you dont stall on the minutae, then mount the stuff! This doesnt apply to stowage, however. That can go anywhere and common sense need only be applied in it’s placement.
Dupes this guy has a site with actual recovered stuff–I hope this link works, cuz I have to type it in. Go to the “Collection” part, and he has some cool actual stuff there that might help.
This is definitely the type of stuff I’m after. Some of it appears to have been repainted, I’m assuming in an accurate fashion. There are also a bunch of other pieces I’d like to see.
SO, if anyone else has any other links/pics to this sort of thing, I would love to see them!
Yes, all BII gear was cleaned, painted, and stenciled after each field problem. Lord help you if it was left unsecure in the motor pool upon your return. It would not be there the next day[:-,] Marauding grunts always seem to make up their shortfalls overnight…
Not to mention TA-50… the jackrabbits at NTC were very well equipped from all the duffle bags that fell off vehicles out there.
