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| This is the engine deck, as you can see thier are two large access panels, giving excellent acess to the Maybach engine. Here also you can see the schurtzen rails and thier brackets running the length of the hull. Schurtzen were easily replaced, although weighty, they could be lifted off the rails when damaged and replaced by fresh schurtzen plates by the crew without the need for heavy lifting gear.Visible down the port side, you can see a large crowbar, for track repair, and beyond that, two replacement ground rollers. the running gear of the tank frequently suffered from anti tank mine damage, and carrying replacements was something of a necessity. Finally, you can see, behind the turret skirt, the added "Rommel box", a bolt on container attatched to the rear of the turret and used to stash the crews gear, due to the very cramped conditions within the fighting compartment. |