Thanks for all answers, even the negatives are welcome and important.
I don't see why it is bad idea to tow in reverse. The vehicle would be well protected while driving to rear of immobile Tiger.
What about the tow bars?
They seem to have some interesting ends on them, almost looks like a pair of mattocks on the deck if it weren't for the obvious connections.
Could this possibly be some sort of quick-hitch device with the crane used to raise the tow bars into the shackles?
What was this beast used for?
Re: What was this beast used for?
After studying all 10 photos of this vehicle, I can report a few facts that may help you to understand it.
- There was a towing hitch welded to the back as well as the front.
- The turret and hull came from two different Tigers.
- The turret stands unusually high on the hull roof, so it may have damaged bearings and be unable to rotate. This would explain why it was not retained for battle tank use.
- The hull was originally a Befehlstiger.
- All of the "recovery" equipment seems to be on the hull.
- All of the "charge laying" equipment seems to be on the turret.
David
- There was a towing hitch welded to the back as well as the front.
- The turret and hull came from two different Tigers.
- The turret stands unusually high on the hull roof, so it may have damaged bearings and be unable to rotate. This would explain why it was not retained for battle tank use.
- The hull was originally a Befehlstiger.
- All of the "recovery" equipment seems to be on the hull.
- All of the "charge laying" equipment seems to be on the turret.
David