Sd.Kfz.222 and Sd.Kfz.223 Ausf.A – Engine Hatches - Inside Track | Renault TSF Tank Kent

The 2-piece Aufbau (body) of the Ausf.A (1 to 4.Serie) has presented the Foundation with several challenges not just in sourcing the rare plate visors and hinges for the 3.Serie but also the rear engine bay side hatches. Such hatches were conveniently sized to fulfil many domestic and farm uses so therefore, were quickly removed from wrecks. Cutting “new” hatches had to be avoided as it is not our policy not to introduce replicas into the collection. After decades of searching we retrieved the requisite number of original side hatches for both our 1939 3.Serie Sd.Kfz 223 and our 1940 4.Serie Sd.Kfz.222. What we did not have were the rear top engine hatches for either vehicle! In 2019 we received an offer from one of our sources which included two of these hatches. One appeared to be complete with all fittings intact while the other looked to be in two halves. One of these halves looked correct whereas the other half did not – more like a later 5.Serie (smaller) example. The image provided showed both halves fitted together. Something just did not look right. See attached main image. The difference between a 3.Serie and a 4.Serie hatch is the hinges (The details of the 3.Serie hinges were covered in an Inside Track piece published a few weeks ago). Ausf.A hatches are very difficult to source either with the earlier small hinges or the later larger hinges for the 4.Series. Once the shipment of parts, secured by the Weald Foundation, arrived the pallets were unloaded, and the parts reviewed individually. One of the engine deck hatches was complete but had sustained significant battle damage at the end of its operational life. The surface of this hatch was scored in many places by shrapnel. The underside of the hatch was clear by comparison suggesting the explosion had been external – possibly a high explosive shell which had detonated above the armoured car. One of the resultant shrapnel splinters had even perforated the surface leaving a hole through into the engine bay. In the interest of protecting the engine bay interior from the elements we elected to plug this hole internally without changing the external look and feel of the plate finish. All the shrapnel damage has been retained (see attached image). On examination the hinges on the hatch were found to be of the rising butt variety. These were heated up and quenched to shock the rust’s hold on the mechanism and the nuts and bolts holding them in place. These hinges now mobile were removed, sand blasted and primed. Note the armoured conical bolts, quite like the bolts of Renault FT and TSF fame. The hinges have been countersunk to allow for maximum range in opening. The next feature is the thumb catch at the rear or lower end of the hatch. This also required heating and quenching to free up the mechanism internally. The upper end of the hatch has two fittings on the left- and right-hand side of the plate. Note the construction of these fittings. They have been designed to allow for the fixing of the square metal box (see attached image) on to the engine hatch surface with the other end of the box to be held by the thumb catch. We have yet to understand what is required to fully utilise the left and right fixing fittings. The loop suggests the requirement of a canvas or leather strap. For this detail to be resolved we will have to rely on our research team to draw answers from the numerous period images which have yet to provide answers due to the loss of detail when magnifying these areas. They are simply not the focus of the cameramen. We will have to be patient.

Membership

Corporate Membership available on application.

Affiliate Member