Some of you may recall the discussion here a couple of years ago about the purpose of this device on the upper part of the rear plate of the hull. Suggestions from participants included it being for a removable tail light and a barrel light as I recall.

I have just been reading Pascal Danjou's Focus No.4 on the subject and came across mention of the thing on page 20. M. Danjou claims that it was not always fitted but that it was used to recharge the batteries or to start another tank. This is credible to me (although I have no personal view) so I thought I'd pass it on in case anyone is still interested.

If you disagree, just don't shoot the messenger!

It is interesting to have some kind of resolution. The various proposals at the time all made good sense, and with no disrespect to anyone it is great to have an answer. These little niggles annoy me, because my scientific background makes me want to know what everything does!

Chris

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47208/message/1147074175/Re-+Steve+Zaloga%27s+Tamiya+Char+B1+bis

The topic was pretty thoroughly discussed in the link provided, and I have no interest in starting up an argument or anything.

However, I had assumed that the socket was for an electrical connection for the 800 L auxilliary fuel trailer which was specially manufactured for towing by the Char B1.

Photos of the trailer are shown in the Trackstory 3 book. It's a heavy looking beast and even has seats on sides for personnel and room for storage of other supplies (Neader oil, in particular).

Having towed some pretty heavy trailers myself, I thought that the aux fuel trailer just might have electric breaks and possilbly tail lights or an electric fuel pump to transfer the fuel from the trailer to the tank. An electric transfer pump would have been "cutting edge" technology at the time, but well within the realm of possibility.

Unfortunately, I'm not able to look in the book right now and don't recall if any of the photos actually showed an example being towed, and if so, if any kind of power cable connected it to the tank. I also can't recall if the photos showed any kind of power cable coiled on the trailer tounge. Perhaps someone else reading this could check their copy. (I'm traveling away from home on business.)

As for its "high up" position vice the lower location that a trailer connection might suggest, I chalked it up to several hundreds of pounds of tow chain swinging on the back of the tank as possibly interfering (potentially hazarding) the electric socket and cable if they were positioned lower down near the pintle / hitch.

Anyways, just my 2 cents.

Mike

Definitely, not a lamp...

Panzerserra