There's a compartment on the inside of the early Flak 38 mount, below the cradle. Does anyone know what this compartment is for? Or if it's also present on the later model mount?
Allan
Allan
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Toolbox? Like the one on the SdAh the Vierling and 3,7cm Flaks are transported.Comment
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How deep is the compartment?Comment
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It's unlikely that it's a toolbox. Despite there being one provided on the rear leg of the base of the mount, there's no compartmentalization of it at all, nor is there any type of clips or fasteners. It's also not particularly accessible.
Although i haven't had a good look over the Sd Anh 52, I can't imagine it's greatly different in construction to the Sd Anh 51. Which has no allowances for this type of compartment at all.
As you can see in the second photo with the cover open, it's only 2 or 3 inches deep at most, as the underside of the entire lafette in only just below it.Comment
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Storage Box
It appears to have a waterproof seal. Perhaps it has vehicle repair records or similar papers that do not need to be accessed by the crew too often?Comment
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could it be used to fill with counter-weight, to balance once in firing position?Comment
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Interesting thought on the counterweight Phil, although i think this is highly unlikely. It would be incredibly awkward to place anything of weight inside the compartment because of where it's located, despite it being too shallow to carry weight of consequence anyway. For something to be poured in there, there'd have to be some kind of plug on the bottom to get it out, which there isn't.
Also, I think it would stand to reason to counterweight the outter body of the mount rather than increase the load the turntable in the middle is carrying.
R Scnhee, your suggestion actually seems quite viable. The opening of the compartment would appear to be the right size to accomodate the manuals and rohrbuch. I'm quite sure that I ran my fingers around under the lip to see if it was contained at all and it didn't appear so (well, within the 2 or so inch reach of the tops of my fingers). Meaning a manual could slide anywhere underneath without any hope of ever getting the damn thing out.
Here's a photo of the underside of the mount. This compartment is located just behind rounded 'bulge' you can see at the front.
PS What's happening with your Zwillingsockel restoration? I've been checking back at your site hoping to see updates for years. Fantastic project!
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Perhaps for folded waterproof tarp, or camofauge?Comment
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i will see a friend tomorrow who has a flak 38 and 2 flak 39's.......i noticed the lid on the 39's but not the 38 before........let me see what he thinks or know.......perhaps some type of case fit in there so as not to move around?
dieterComment
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Suber,
Although i've never seen the cover for the Flak 38, I'd assume it's basically the same as the Flak 30 one. Which would be far too cumbersome to fir in such a relativeyl small space.
Deiter,
Your friend has 2 Flak 39's? The 10.5cm Flak 39? That's some pretty damn impressive ordnance right there. I suppose it might be pertinent to point out that the weapon I'm referring to above is the 2cm Flak 38. Just in case there was any confusion.
There are a number of people who frequent these forums that own Flak 38 mounts, and i had hoped that at least one of them might have chimed in with their thoughts. Or whether their mounts, which are all late model it seems, actually have this compartment.
AllanComment
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allan.........my friend owns 3 flaks......a flak 38....AND....2 flak 39's.......the 2 flak 39's are 3.7mm.......its nor not the exact designation which is sd10-100 or something like that.........i was at his home yesterday and didnt get a chance to look at the gun but my friend said the opening was for tools.........i will be out there again shortly and take a look again and get the year of manufacture and some pics
dieterComment
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Dieter,
Look forward to seeing the photos. I know the manual would identify the compartment correctly but it's the one from the set that's proving all too allusive.
Any details from your friend's 2cm Flak 38 would be most welcome also. Early or late? Whether it's equipped for the Flakvisier or Linealvisier?
Is your friend a member here?
Thanks for your response.
Allan
PS Is it Dieter or Deiter?Comment
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It's engineered as a step. The compartment is meant to be used to carry rope for cammo material.Comment
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Hi Rich,
You've lost me a bit with the step reference. This compartment is inside the mount under the gun cradle. Not the compartment on the rear leg of the lafette base as pictured below.
Just a quick comparison of the photos will tell you that these compartments have quite distinctly different purposes.
AllanComment
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