Armour Dreams

[David Dunlop]

A wild and crazy thought, Jonathan.

Might the seat cushion in this case be a one piece design?

The seat cushion could have a wood board base with a pad of horsehair etc., on the top, sized so when complete, the board ‘locks’ the seat cushion into the steel pan. The back is just a soft pad with no hard backing. The oil cloth, or similar material, would run from the front edge of the seat back across the seat cushion and then run up the back cushion, forming a sort of hinge between the two section at the bottom rear junction of the two sections.

At the top of the seat back, a light weight cotton or canvas layer is added to the mix. This is stitched in to enclose the seat back pad and prevent it from sagging to the bottom of the seat back over time. The oil cloth material then wraps over the top of the seat back pad and down the back of the seat back cushion to the junction of the back pad and seat pad. It is stitched down the sides only, staying open across the bottom.

This forms a pouch down the back portion of the cushion assembly that is pulled down over the seat back frame to the point where the seat cushion portion can drop down and lock into the steel seat pan.

I notice the seat back can adjust and has a noticeable recline ability. The recline mode might be to make entry to and exit from the drivers seat easier for the driver and the one piece design would enhance sliding in and out of the seat quickly.

Then again, I could be totally out to lunch!

David

[Tony Mathers]

Well done. This is a Pz I seat and your is very similiar.

seat-01.jpg

This is from the Pz Is at El Goloso.

[Jonathan Moore]

David,
Good theory but my prior research pointed me in roughly the right direction.

Tony,
Nice picture, I wish that I had had that earlier.

Firstly and I have no connection with this product but if you are interested in Panzers there are 2 DVD's entitled "GERMAN TANK INTERIORS" if you haven't got them they are a really good source of information and especially pictures.

The first two pictures below are from a Panzer IV, well one version of the drivers seat. They gave me a good indication of the construction but I have to admit, I missed the bar running across the back of the back rest.
The last picture is from a Panzer II, if you look carefully and this must make me really sad, you can just make out the edge of the seat cover retaining strip, much the same construction as on my version of the commanders seat back rest.( shown in the middle picture)

The base of these seats is obviously a pad resting on springs, this wasn't an option for me, as in mine, the steering / brake mechanism is under the seat.

Thanks for the input I really appreciate it and if anyone has any pictures that may help they will all be gratefully received.

Jon

[Tony Mathers]

If you wish I have a few pictures of the interior of the Pz I and many more of the seat. They are probably helpful for you build

controls.jpg

[Jonathan Moore]

Thanks for the offer Tony ,I will gladly have any pictures that you post, they all help.

I decided that now I had seen the bar across the backrest, I would have to alter my seat. The dear long suffering wife, said that she knew that it would just irritate me otherwise.

[Tony Mathers]

rdsc025048zc.jpg
Same tank, but photo from the web.
inside-01.jpg
inside-02.jpg
seat-02.jpg

[Jonathan Moore]

Thanks Tony, lovely pictures.

Steering / brake lever assemblies finished