Further reports:
Summer 2023
Winter 2022/23: Working on the turret
Winter 2021/22 and summer 2022: Working on the turret
Winter 2020/21 and summer 2021: The electrical system and hull
Winter 2019/20 and summer 2020: Turret and the electrical system
Works the electrical system and hull
This time again two work seasons will be covered in one report. However, we plan to get back to two reports per year.
Also this time the work focussed on the electrical system.
The reconstruction of the PTO / slip ring unit finalized a chapter which has been a heavy burden on my mind for along time. The interior was widely damaged by an inappropriate disassembly with a welding torch. The cylinder which carries the slip rings, originally made from Bakelit or a related resin, was beyond salvation and has been made from scratch from a modern plastic. All pantographs were disassembled and the wires which run along them were made new. Some brass parts cracked and needed to be welded. The housing was considerably damaged but could still be restored. The banana-type of body in front of the metal housing cylinder, which carried the ports for the wires, also had to be redone from plastic. The original was from plastic as well, no Bakelit, though.
A larger but less complex project was the recreation of the case which houses the three transformers for the intercom system. It is located behind the radio operator. Corrosion of the original case had already advanced to an extent which made an entire recreation more reasonable. The museum already owned one of the transformers, the missing two could be purchased. The electronic components of all, however, are unlikely to work still. The already restored distributor box Kasten Z 23, which is installed on a vertical plate on the rear of the case, has already been introduced in the previous report.
The white housing with a signal lamp was as well restored. A lamp behind a transparent red foil indicates the readiness to fire of the gun. Later it will be mounted on the front left of the gun cradle. We cleaned it and it is now again in a working condition. It will never shine again.
Within the scope of the laying of the wiring harness and adjustment of the lengths to all components we have mounted all components on the firewall. The final assembly has to occur after the engine installation and paining of the firewall.
The revison of the covers of the fans and the two grilles in front and behind them in the spaces to the left and right of the engine compartment was very time consuming and required very detailed work.
The cover units consist of a massive grille with a metal net on a frame welded on the top of it. Bolted to it are two plates of 4 cm thickness with 3 bolts each. At the time of disassembly in 2007 the nets were missing and the majority of bolts were torn off. New nets and screw nuts were welded in place.
The unit on the right and side carries the case for the electronic antenna receiver parts and the antenna basis on the bottom side and a fire extinguisher holder on the top side. On top of the left unit a wire cutter was installed. Both devices need to be recreated from scratch. An identical extinguisher holder on our Sturmgeschütz served as example.
The cover nets on the rectangular grilles demanded particular attention as their frames were very filigree. The remains of the originals were just enough to recognize the structure of the frames.
The cover nets are a perfect match or the originals. Each consists of 15 individual parts, and each part needed to be bended, welded, etc. Looking at their construction, the term ‘over engineering’ automatically comes to mind and you can’t help but wonder if a little less (ie simple as the nets for the large round grilles) eventually would have been a little more.
Some time ago we welcomed Wanda and Marco, a very nice couple from the Netherlands, in our museum. Marco is a great fan of german tanks in general and of the King Tiger in particular, of course. Wanda is not yet that much of a fan but she is on a very good way.
Recently Marco sent us a picture of his latest acquisition, a track segment. It fits harmoniously into the decoration of the room.
We think: Unlike the currently common seasonal Christmas decorations Marco’s decoration is timeless and can be enjoyed the entire year. All the best for the two.