Sgmt Bmg

[Mobhack]

I think the MG were probably looked on as a spare piece of kit in case the co-ax went tits-up.

Plus, they were AFAIR covered with a rubber plug shoved in the armour, and when fired then the deep fording and NBC seals were broken as well. Perhaps why they went for the "mudguard box" models later (and you would not want to jump out and fetch any spare ammo from those in a fire-fight!).

I think if I were a battalion commander with such tanks, then those MG would (like the little 2 inch mortars and browning 9mm pistols in my Bn) simply be left in the armoury and only wheeled out for any "regulation" firings which had to be ticked off the annual or recruit's training schedule.

Andy