Tiger I (Heavy tank)

Louis

Louis

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Interesting image of the naked turret where you see the turret basket
And I read the following:
"...The addition of the basket allowed the crew to operate, load, aim and fire the weapon at all angles of turret rotation, something severely hampered in Soviet tanks up to the IS-3, all of which They lacked a turret basket, which made operations very difficult for the crews..."
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Curious about the basket I found this from a member on the WW2talk site:

"The lack of a turret basket was not the disadvantage the author is making it out to be. The T-34's turret crew of course had seats attached to the turret ring, and with ammo stowed in the hull floor, a turret basket would be a hindrance. The US Army learned this went it from stowing ammo in the sponsons to stowing it in the floor in late Shermans and in the M24, M26, etc. The turret basket floor was initially reduced in size and eventually dispensed with altogether, leaving the fighting compartment layout akin to T-34's. Indeed, in Study No.53 "Tank Gunnery," by the General Board, USFET, which was derived from interviews of "344 enlisted men and 58 officers, of which 75 percent were company grade":

"a. Few interviewees favored a 'half floor' in the turret such as in medium tank M4A3 (76mm gun). When traversing the turret, empty cartridge cases, ammunition bin covers, and miscellaneous equipment which often falls to the floor, easily becomes jammed between the half floor and the top of the ammunition compartment. Also, the loader must guard against his feet becoming entangled with the half floor when quick deflection changes are made.

"b. Approximately 30% of the interviewees desired a moving full floor. Those opposed to the full floor felt it complicated ammunition stowage under the floor and made it more difficult for personnel in the driving compartment to escape through the fighting compartment.

"c. Approximately 60% preferred no floor, such as in light tank M24. However, it was felt that tanks so designed should include:
(1) A foot rest for the gunner
(2) Folding platform for the tank commander. It should revolve with the turret and be adjustable in height.
(3) A seat for the loader which would revolve with the turret." "
 
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