Fahrzeug-Funkrahmen
Status: 30 December 2015
It took me at least twenty-seven years, before I was able to swop a tank mounting frame (Panzerrahmen or Fahrzeugfunkrahmen) again. My first one came from Ebbe Pedersen.
There exists a universal rule: everything that is being fixed within a vehicle or other platform is difficult to obtain.
In contrast, most moveable devices are quite well around.
Also in this case.
Front view of the mounting frame
It might not look like spectacular - but this frame is the second one I got in more than 45 years of commitment.
Viewing it from a slightly different angle
I have never been aware how the slider should look like
To what can be notices it looks like leader-strips, although from some perspective it looks like a wooden strip; but, the latter lacking its apparent softness.
Monday morning 28 December 2015
I got an answer to the query from Werner Thote.
Könnten die Gleitstücke am Boden nicht anstatt aus Holz aus Hartgewebe (Novotext) sein? Das ist ein Kunstharzpreßstoff auf Gewebebasis. Der nimmt keine Feuchtigkeit auf, gleitet gut und isoliert definiert.
Werner did also respond on the curved shape of the frame edges:
Der Funkgeräterahmen für Fu 5 ist wirklich ein sehr schönes Stück. Jetzt wird mir auch klar, daß die viereckigen Kisten mit ihren scharfen Ecken doch gar nicht wirklich im Panzer so verletzungsgefährdend waren. Die runden Ecken des Rahmens haben das abgemildert. Interessant ist der Aufwand für die Herstellung des Massekontaktes und das mechanische Festklemmen der Geräte.
On the 29th in the evening:
Jørgen Fastner did send me the following information:
Dear Arthur!
I have the same Tank mounting frame as the one you just got, and on the
corners inside the frame it is leather-strips. I know this because they
had been damaged by water and then dried out. I had to remove them and
soften them up again in water.
The two frames are placed inside a big ion-case mounted on the wall of the Tank. My frames and case came from a Panzer III.
By means of the levers an inserted module can be fixed
Please consider also the typical German way of shock-proof mounting
One might have its own opinion, but you never will encounter that their tank communications failed due to mechanical shocks.
Viewing the mounting from the rear side
One of the complains of German constructions was - that these were too complicated and too expensive
But, mountings weren't.
On the other hand, the Germans were also master in simple - but highly effective mass constructions.
Think, for example, of the 'Jerry can' a German most successful construction; which they called Kanister. Copied everywhere, that one may get the impression they themselves had been the smart guys, not in this case.
As long as possible, ask British wartime military personnel about some German auxiliaries. There exist many occasions that they favoured quite some essentials; I was told on various occasions.
A lower compartment module due to be inserted
Inserting accomplished
An upper module due to be in inserted
Both modules being fit inside their mounting frame
Both handles being fastened as to fix them, at the same time assuring that solid ground contact being made
Being placed in the regular exhibition
Please notice also the way it has been currently (since 10 June 2017) put on display
By Arthur O. Bauer
