discussion Operable engine hatch hinges

[Guest]

It’s not an M10 but a Matilda, but this serves to illustrate Richard’s point pretty well:

(video starts at the relevant bit)

 

[minitnkr]

Here are some I have used to good effect.

 

[Sander69]

It’s not an M10 but a Matilda, but this serves to illustrate Richard’s point pretty well:

(video starts at the relevant bit)

Good grief! That engine hatch must weigh over 50 kilos!

 

[Sander69]

Here are some I have used to good effect.

I was able to find the hatch hinges that KarlW mentioned in his post. They look like they will do the job. The length is similar to the ones you post above except they are rectangular, long and skinny.

 

[Guest]

Good grief! That engine hatch must weigh over 50 kilos!

If you watch some more of his videos, you’ll notice quite soon that most tanks have engine deck hatches that require this much or more effort to open. Those on the M10 are fairly open, being essentially large grilles, but they’re also pretty deep so there’s probably about as much material in them as if they were simple plates of the thickness of the engine deck. IOW, they’re unlikely to be light either.

 

[KarlW]

Even crew hatches are heavy, and they're smaller.

 

[rtfoe]

Aircraft panels are the direct opposite. That's why they need extra ribbing for strength. Good for you you found your hinges...looking forward to your workable doors.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Sander69]

Even crew hatches are heavy, and they're smaller.

I did not know that about the crew hatches. In all of the movies they just pop them open like they are made of aluminum.

 

[Sander69]

Aircraft panels are the direct opposite. That's why they need extra ribbing for strength. Good for you you found your hinges...looking forward to your workable doors.

Cheers,
Richard

Thank you Richard.

 

[KarlW]

I did not know that about the crew hatches. In all of the movies they just pop them open like they are made of aluminum.

A lot of them are spring assisted.

 

[Guest]

Those on the M10 were not, though — neither the driver’s hatches nor the engine deck hatches had springs on them. About the only hatch that was easy to open on it, would be the escape hatch in the floor, behind the co-driver’s seat

 

[Sander69]

A lot of them are spring assisted.

Interesting

 

[Sander69]

Those on the M10 were not, though — neither the driver’s hatches nor the engine deck hatches had springs on them. About the only hatch that was easy to open on it, would be the escape hatch in the floor, behind the co-driver’s seat

Didn’t the m10 driver’s hatches open kind of like a Lamborghini countach door? Kind of slide up sideways somehow?

 

[KarlW]

Didn’t the m10 driver’s hatches open kind of like a Lamborghini countach door? Kind of slide up sideways somehow?

IIRC the hinge was/is at an angle so the hatch open position was almost vertical.
Edit: Here is a picture.

 

[rtfoe]

IIRC the hinge was/is at an angle so the hatch open position was almost vertical.
Edit: Here is a picture.

Based on the angle of the hinge you basically pushed forward at a 45 degree angle. Like pushing something out of the way as opposed upward. The problem with hatch lying in that position I can guess the turret would be in the way.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Guest]

Didn’t the m10 driver’s hatches open kind of like a Lamborghini countach door? Kind of slide up sideways somehow?

See the photo Karl posted above: it’s got a hinge at the front outside corner and opens to a strange, almost vertical position. There’s a hook on the outside (not visible in that picture) that should be fastened to keep it from knocking out the driver in rough terrain

Another detail that Karl’s photo captures well but many modellers don’t, is that there should not be a periscope in an open hatch (this goes for M4 medium tanks as well). American practice was to remove the periscope before opening the hatch, then re-inserting it after the hatch was closed. British troops, OTOH, appear (from photos) to usually have left periscopes in place (as would Americans sometimes, of course).

 

[KarlW]

@Jakko
Nice video, cheers.

 

[stillp]

Another detail that Karl’s photo captures well but many modellers don’t, is that there should not be a periscope in an open hatch (this goes for M4 medium tanks as well). American practice was to remove the periscope before opening the hatch, then re-inserting it after the hatch was closed.

It looks in the video as if the periscope is part of the hatch locking mechanism?
Nice video. The driver got a bit wet in that first water splash!
Pete

 

[Sander69]

IIRC the hinge was/is at an angle so the hatch open position was almost vertical.
Edit: Here is a picture.
View attachment 402019

Thank you VERY MUCH for the picture. That explains much of my confusion on the driver's hatches. I have several reference books on the M10 and I still didn't know how the driver's hatches opened. I love it!

My Great Uncle was commander of a M-10 through Northern Africa and into Italy. He was well honored at his funeral by his (remaining) tank crew at his funeral. They say he blew up three German tank in one day and his reward was to clean the m-10's barrel. I always being around my uncle and that is why I'm trying to build a very accurate M-10. All of the respondents of this post are helping a great deal. THANK YOU!

 

[Sander69]

Based on the angle of the hinge you basically pushed forward at a 45 degree angle. Like pushing something out of the way as opposed upward. The problem with hatch lying in that position I can guess the turret would be in the way.

Cheers,
Richard

Yes, Richard, you are correct. The driver could not open the hatch when the turret was facing directly forward. I learned this on the YouTube show Inside the Captain's Hatch.

Look at the time index 3:29.

Another for the interior

Enjoy! And thanks again!