Can someone please give me some information on the hatches going to the engine compartment from the fighting compartment? What I need to know is, when opening the hatch to the engine compartment does the hatch go down when opened or do you have to lift up the hatch?

Uhhh, for what? Most of the vehicles I know, they up out towards you.

Based on this sketch, I'd say they're hinged at the top

I have this picuture and I am in question, I feel the same way about the hinges, but if we look at the bottom of the door, wouldn't hinges be smaller then the latches? If this is the case then the door would open down and not up, correct?

Why do I get myself into these things? My GOD a modeler could go stark raving mad just trying to find out these thing I think #:-) #:-)

I was just wondering what vehicle this discussion is about.
Andrew

Same here. Not all vehicals would have the same hatch configuration. What type of vehical are you researching?????

Would imagine that space is the criteria here. On the 48's and 60's the turret is rotated to the left until you clear the turret floor support stanchion and the recoil guard. The access panels can then be lifted up into the turret and set aside. IIRC there was also a grate or screen that had to be removed. An additional thought is that this screen may have been on the 48's but not the 60's. These "hatches "give the crew access to the fuel filters so they may be drained. you also have access to the fuel line quick disconnects electrical couplers and mounting bolts. For the Diesel's, access to the QD's were neccessary incase of a runaway. Rarely happened but when it did was the only way to shut it down.

Andrew & Tiger101, the vehicle in question is a Pzkpfw IV ausf J.

I have no clue whatsoever, but it would make sense to me if they opened downwards, otherwise you'd need some way to keep them open when the were pulled up. Does that make sense? I also agree that the hinges may have been smaller than the latches.

Nic

Hi there

On the StugIII, there are hatches in the back wall of the fighting compartment that are ammo bins that stick into the engine bay. Does anyone know if those are the same deal in the PzIV.

If they are ammo bins, the doors open into the fighting compartment, because of course there's ammo blocking their opening inside.

I'll dig out my copy of Achtung Pz on the Pz IV and see if there's anything there.

Andy

On page 93 of Achtung Panzer #3 there's a photo of the inside of a Pz IVJ.

The photo shows the door is missing, but there are no hinges there. Perhaps the hatches were clipped on, and lifted off for access. There's no sign of ammo storage in there in the one photo in that volume.

There's not much else in the way of photos of the interior of Pz IV in that volume.

Andy

I know that this won't help you right now, but I can go down to the resto yard at the patton museum and poke around for ya....The guys there are great, and let me look, poke, take pics, etc.

bBe patient though, I gotta work around my work schedule

John