I notice that the early Tiger 1's had two periscope holes above the driver's vision port for use in combat when, I presume, the driver's vision port was closed. My question is did the vision port remain open at all times when these periscope holes were done away with? Just curious to know how the vision port was used after the holes ceased to be a feature.
Many thanks for any help.
Re: Tiger 1 driver's vision port
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 10:22 am
by DavidByrden
The port was not a simple "open or shut" device. Its upper and lower portions were moved by a single handwheel, so the gap could be adjusted continuously.
Without the Kff2 vision device, Tiger drivers had no choice but to open the port slightly in order to see forward. Except, of course, that they could put their head out the hatch.
David
Re: Tiger 1 driver's vision port
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 11:24 am
by mike1268
Although if they put their heads out of the hatch, they cant drive. You cant reach the controls and look out of the hatch of a tiger I.
Re: Tiger 1 driver's vision port
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 11:53 am
by DavidByrden
Really? I haven't tried that. Have you?
David
Re: Tiger 1 driver's vision port
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 5:27 pm
by jarndice
I am trying to work out why a Tank manufacturer would fit a hatch for the driver if he was not able to drive the Tank while looking through the hatch, what would be the point?
Installing a hatch in a Tank body is not something that is done without a lot of thought,
Any opening in the Tank body weakens the structure rather like putting a hole in an egg.
shaun
Re: Tiger 1 driver's vision port
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 5:45 pm
by PainlessWolf
Good morning,
I think that we had this discussion in here before. The driver controls and seat are to the right of the hatch opening so the driver has to sit on the ledge to the left or something there to put his head out of the hatch?
regards,
Painless
Re: Tiger 1 driver's vision port
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 6:56 pm
by DavidByrden
Why yes, we had this before.
Since I don't have lengthwise measurements of where the pedals are, this is only partially useful.
But there are plenty of wartime photos of crewmen apparently doing this.
David
Re: Tiger 1 driver's vision port
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 9:08 pm
by cupoftea
Interesting - thanks for the replies chaps.
Re: Tiger 1 driver's vision port
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 9:08 pm
by tanks_for_the_memory
Ah yes. We have indeed been here before...
I would love to have a definitive answer.
David I thought you had been inside the Bovington Tiger? Surely you can tell us if it's physically possible for an average sized bloke to drive while sticking his head out? Assuming he wasn't using some clever set up to push the pedals and steer at the same time...
