...due to conflicting info.
My decision for my model goes like this:
For a standard, non-command vehicle, I will fit the radio in the fighting compartment, but I am not sure of the fit or of which side I'll mount it.
In N&B 18, the bottom photo on page 79 and the top two pics on page 80 show the fighting compartment mounts for the radio and transformer. They designate the fit as FU5. The top photo on p.80 also shows the antenna mount on the outer surface of the starboard-side superstructure plate.
Now, check the pics on the the top of p.79 and bottom of p.78. It is a different vehicle, but I think the mounting pads for the radio are there, in the same place as the previous pics.
Now, check p.13: antenna base on port-side; same on top of p.14. Bottom of p.14, antenna on starboard side.
So, antenna bases are seen on both sides; from that I presume that the radios were mounted as near to the antenna as ppossible, a typical feature of German AFVs. That's why of all early German Panzer, only the Pz.Kpfw.II has its antenna on the port-side superstructure plate, where the radio is placed inside against that plate. The Pz.Kpfw.I, III and IV have their antennae on the starboard side, near the RO's position.
Panzer Tracts says, "...gunner who is also the...commander...operates the radio set...loader...and the...driver"., p.7-139. He also calls the radio FUd. I am ???guessing??? that at some time, the FU5 replaced the FUd???????
Note also that on the Marder III Ausf.H, the commander was the gunner and radio operator, so the radio had to be on the port-side of the superstructure, because that's where the gun-sight and fire controls were located, as in the Tristar kit. Maybe when the radio set changed, the loader took that duty away from an overworked commander/gunner/RO and became the RO/loader? Thus the radio on that side, opposite its earlier location.
Hopefully someone has some moore details/corrrections.
Frank
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