Ever Heard Of This?

[sonar]

This Quote,comes from "Caen Anvil Of Victory".It refers to Canadian 6th Armoured Regiment getting their replacement tanks ready for combat use."As a matter of course, they were modified.Spare tracks lashed on as extra armour;studs fitted to the sides to take camoflauge;TURRET FLAPS CUT AWAY;TO GIVE THE COMMANDER ALL ROUND VISION;seats re-modelled to enable the loader-operator to move easily;turret baskets removed,to give easier bail out.Every commander had his own ideas on how to ensure his tank got off the first,decisive shot and the regimental C.O. encouraged such modifications".What part of the turret are they talking about removing?Do they mean the hatches?Are they going into battle in open topped shermans?Anyway I'd never heard of this before,just thought some may find it intresting.By the way the book is brilliant,Written by Alexander McKee.

P.S. Ever heard of similar "Mods" carried out by the Germans?

[flamingknives]

Turret flaps would be hatches. Cut away might mean that sections are cut off to allow the remainder of the hatch to lie flat on the turret top.

I presume that 'turret baskets' refers to internal stowage. Usually, it refers to the floor of the turret that rotates with it. Removing this entirely would be a very odd thing to do.

[JasonC]

Turret basket means the "stand" the tank commander is in, slung under the hatch and rotating with the turret - the "cup" that holds him. Removing it means he has the step he is standing on but not sides etc. They apparently felt a metal cage under him was not necessary (not worried about falling), and just got in the gunner and loader's way if they had to bail out.

[flamingknives]

Turret basket includes the floor the loader stands on too, doesn't it? I can see the wisdom of removing the sides, but not at the expense of the floor.