panzer question

[opposum]

on the Panzer III tank, what is the door between the first two return rollers? What is it and what was it used for? I have always wondered what they are, here is a good picture of the what i'm talking about:




thanks,



opposum

[Furball]

Would take a guess at loading shells maybe?

[1pLUs44]

leaving when the tank is hit?

[stephen]

I'd emagine its for access to some internal components as it seems to be bolted shut..., but what do I know?

[panzerr]

It looks like it's hinged on the leading edge, so I vote for loading shells.

[smokey23]

Its a driver escape hatch

[Tr1gg22]

probably something to do with greasing or maybe 90 weight for some sort of gears good question

[RATTFINK]

[opposum]

i was guessing loading shells but why so close to the driver?

[smokey23]

The fighting compartment in the Panzer III carried three crew members turret: commander, loader and gunner. Each of these crewmen had an escape hatch above their position, while the driver in the front had to use a hatch in the glacis plate.

[opposum]

ok thanks 

[Rino]

     I doubt very much that that hatch was for either reloading or crew escape as it is too
small and the later marks (ausf N) had shurtzen (sp?) that covered the area in question.



     I would go with an inspection hatch myself as every single picture I have seen of a crew loading
ammo was done through the turret hatch.