Small Scale Military Headquarters

I was wondering if the Germans used other forms to upgrade the armor to their older tanks? Like the Finnish did on the Stug by adding logs to the sides. I know they used spare track in those rolls, but would they have used other non-metal types or anything like that? Thanks for any help.
momaw nadon

The germans made plenty of field mods to protect their tanks, particularly on the Eastern Front. On Stugs, it's not uncommon to see blocks of concrete put in front of the driver as added armor. Even the Tigers and King Tigers, despite their heavy armor, needed some extra help. The King Tigers of the SPzAbt. 503 near the end of the war covered the entire sides of their turret with extra track links. Tigers of the 507 sported the same, track link-covered turrets.

With the logs I'm not sure its armor, or just logs carried to enable tanks to get off very muddy grounds if they get stuck.

The Germans used spare track extensively, even on their Tigers. Seen several pics around the 'net of PzIVs and Tigers covered in T34 links for example. Plus the usual sandbags.

And as others have said, they poured concrete around the the front of the driver's station of StuGs for extra armor.

Any chance 21st will make a 1:18 t-34 with old mattresses/bedsprings attached to the turret? Probably not, but I'd sure buy one, along with a StuG adorned with concrete!

I'll settle for a T-34 with daisies sticking out the gun barrel.

The 'bed spring' armour is an unlikely accessory if we ever see a T-34 but who knows, 21c could surprise us once again. It would be a pretty easy custom job at any rate, or maybe a good product for build-a-rama to make.

Incidentally, despite the name 'bedspring armour' they were not in fact old bedsprings, though that is a common perception. They were in fact purpose designed and built wire mesh armour shields, similar in concept to the german 'thoma' shields, for defeating panzerfaust and panzerschreck rounds.

I have a few pictures of Panthers with extra road wheels covering the rear portion of the turret sides.

Mark

Here is a link to a site with some pics of a 1/16th T34 with bedspring armour.
http://www.hammerhelm.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/1l.html