Sherman Tank, Hatches- Can they be locked from the inside?

[old tanker]

RPG 7 hit, just above left hand turret rail,



RPG 7 penetration, note fragmentation marks and blast damage around the entrance hole. At that point on the turret and at that angle the 2.7 kg warhead has defeat about 150 mm of RHA.



View thru loader's hatch. The jetstream passed between the loader and the TC, over the top of the main gun, thru the pamphlet bag on the recoil shield then thru the radio.



Final score: RPG-7-1; RT-524-0. The tank crew was unhurt. M377 canister ensured the RPG team did not survive their encounter. (Pictures of the RPG team likely violate terms of service)



At ranges in excess of 100 meters or so, the rocket is slow enough that you know it is coming but too fast to do much about it except duck. That, at least, keeps the outside shrapnel from getting you. Unlike the spall from a HEP round, (HESH in the UK) the jetstream formed by a HEAT round stays compact, visualize tight stream from a water hose.

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