How common was it for german afv crews to weld additional stowage racks to their vehicles? Were could I find some example pics of these racks? Thanks alot.

That is really a good question. Unfortunately, i cannot help you.

Depends on what type of vehicle you are talking about ...seems quite rare on tanks but Stugs seem to of had racks soldered on the back deck very often..I have seen pictures of some Panzer III's with racks on the back also...And in the desert I've seen racks for Jerry cans...just find a picture and model away!

Rick

Ola kmregan45

Here I have a picture of a Stug with a Stowage rack on the back. Quite easy to scratchbuilt. Note how they added the holder for the spareroadwheel on the side

And the next picture shows a similar type of Stowage rack on the back of the Panzerkampfwagen III

Hi kmregan45!
Here some examples of the very common use of extra stowage racks on the different Panzer III types:






...and some Pz IV:


...or Pz II:


...or StuG III´s:

Some interesting reference shots there, thanks very much. I guess I've seen loads of pics of Shermans covered in extra gear, but not too many of German stuff.
Also note in Viking pic6. a guy in a greatcoat mounting/dismounting at the side of the tank. I've heard before that the German army made this a discipliniary matter (as did the British and no doubt other armies) as the driver could not see the person and could therefore possibly move the tank while the person was standing on a wheel. Any resulting injury (crushed foot etc) would be classed as self-inflicted with court martial to follow.

great photos! Thanks alot for the help!

I have seen them on almost all German tanks except for the Strum Tiger, King Tiger and the Jagd Tiger.