Just made a start on Dragon's Sherman III. It will be a Sherman from around Naples with a "spotty" finish.
These Shermans had a hatch from a commanders cupola placed in front of the driver's position.
It's been suggested to me that this was not a scrap or spare item but taken from the cupola of the actual tank it was used on. Anyone have more info on this, particually why would you take a hatch from the top of the Tank and place it in front of the driver, wouldn't a steel plate or spare track protect as well(if not better)?

Hi Paul,

I've seen this technique used on other Shermans in NWE. I can't confirm or deny whether or not this was actually a hatch from the tank commanders copula but I some how doubt it.

Still never say never.

To me they look simply like some additional protection added because they were around, probably form damaged/destroyed tanks. but.......

Al

It was common practice for the tank commander to drive around with the rear half of his hatch open so he could peek out rather than look through the periscope, when the tank stopped suddenly the hatch would crash down on his head so crews started removing the rear half of the hatch altogether, this carried over in some units to Italy and Italy. I think I read that in Alamein to Zem Zem- Keith Douglas's memoir of the desert war.

The earliest Shermans had none or poor locking of open hatches resulting in many injuries (some quite serious) from vehicle movement or nearby explosions. In the Desert the 8th Army removed one of these and improvised locking latches. The Greys were one of the units that had served in the 8th Army and continued the practice over to the Italian Campaign and even NWE. If you read the description of Wittmans demise the TC of the 1NY Firefly was put of action by his hatch cover. Adding the hatch cover as armour is sometimes seen. Another practice with 8th army Shermans was to remove the Guns basket shield and stow it on the rear deck or even the front sponson. This was unnoficial whereas the cupola hatch was official. The reason for this removal was to facilitate the loders egress in case of bail out.
Most of these little things learnt by the British in the Desert were introduced as production features later on.
AL

Hi Folks,

Thanks for that interesting piece of information, never say never. Looks like the suggestion was the correct one Paul, forge ahead Look forward to the build.

Al

Nice unique touch, makes for a great conversation starter that's for sure. Look forward to your progress, thanks for sharing.

Cheers -

Tim