Question about tanks

[mike262752]

I probably should know this but I dont.

Whats the purpose of that cloth covering the muzzle brake?

[Logan Hartke]

It was used to keep dust out of the barrel, thereby improving accuracy. Americans used contraceptives for the same purpose on their rifles, and at least in Vietnam, they still did.

Logan Hartke

[mike262752]

thanks.

simple question, simple answer, huh

[Christian Ankerstjerne]

I believe it had sometime to do with cold temperatures (you rarely see it when it's not cold, or very dusty)...

Christian

[Alter Mann]

As mentioned, they were ordinarily used to keep birds, dirt and parts of trees out of the gun tube while on the march. We were supposed to remember to take them out and store them before firing. (Ours were rubber inserts and not bags.) Sometimes we forgot.

Some people say that having a muzzle cover stuck on the front of a round had an adverse effect on its ballistic characteristics, but I never noticed that. The canvas bag that the Germans used would probably have been a better choice than the rubber plugs we used.

Think about it. Drive 30 miles to the operational area with the cover on to protect the gun. Meeting engagement. Send the loader out to remove the muzzle cover? I think not.

[KalaVelka]

Gotta say that Panther looks very nice.