Tiger Entry Hatch Size?

[JohnCWorden]

Hello all. Odd question here. Does anyone know the opening size of the Tiger's hatches? I've walked through a B-17 before and it was obvious to me that the men were far slimmer then than now-that thing was TIGHT. I have the opportunity to go inside a tiger, but am a big guy and wonder if I can fit through the hatch. See, I told you it was an odd question.

[Uncle Goose]

If you google Tiger hatch size you can find some measurements of the the hatches on the Tiger.

[schorschi]

Hope it help and works

http://tiger1.info/EN/High-cupola-top.html


Best
Schorschi

[JohnCWorden]

Thanks to both of you! The openings are tight, but I can force myself through.

[Gran Sasso]

I have the opportunity to go inside a tiger.

Which one of the 7 surviving ones?

[busterz111]

keep in mind most Air corps and Armor guys were of smaller size...And Back then all people were smaller...5 foot9 and below. Take a look at the Uniform sizes and you will see 32 and 34 jackets...Maybe a 38 but Rarely anything over 40. some Guys were Tall but very slight in the Upper body.

[JohnCWorden]

Which one of the 7 surviving ones?

Sorry I didn't get back to this sooner. Kind of forgot about the post. First, thanks for the answers. It was tight, but not too bad. It was Bovington's Tiger 131. It was really cool spending the day in, on, riding in and working on it. Plus a behind the scenes tour of their running equipment and tour of the conservation center (not on the platform, but on the floor) made it quite the day.
So I might as well show a pic...

[ironcross13]

Nice you was in the Tiger 131, was it at tank fest I was there on the Sunday very good show.

[JohnCWorden]

No, I was there at the end of April, but slacked off on a pic and responses.

[ironcross13]

How did you get to ride in it, was it a VIP ticket?

[ironcross13]

Was it the Tiger day ?

[ValhallaMilitaria]

Wow, what a day! are you in the loaders hatch? that one is fairly large. I've dreamed of just seeing that Tiger running but spending a day in it/around it? that's a real gift.

[JohnCWorden]

Yes, that is me in the loader's hatch. It wasn't Tiger Day, but was a few days before. It was a "Tiger Experience Day." This is the first time they did this and hopefully it went well and they offer it every year.

[cbuehler]

keep in mind most Air corps and Armor guys were of smaller size...And Back then all people were smaller...5 foot9 and below. Take a look at the Uniform sizes and you will see 32 and 34 jackets...Maybe a 38 but Rarely anything over 40. some Guys were Tall but very slight in the Upper body.

Absolutely true and often forgotten by todays super sized folks! Addtionally, Germans were on the whole even smaller than the average American of the time.
For point of reference, the US Army Quartermaster Corps listed size 36 chest as the most commonly issued during ww2.

CB

[StickyFinger]

Absolutely true and often forgotten by todays super sized folks! Addtionally, Germans were on the whole even smaller than the average American of the time.
For point of reference, the US Army Quartermaster Corps listed size 36 chest as the most commonly issued during ww2.

CB

So all those living history guys have uniforms that are fakes then (this wide )