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Good Evening,
Your questions in truth I have even spoken with another ex Tankie today regarding the small round circle on the left front of the turret as although I was aware of it being there nobody or any of the materials that we have examined even mentions it. So I cannot find any reference, but it is not a hatch. As the turret went through a number of development versions over its early life, maybe it is an artifact of something. I do know that it is in the area of the Gun trunnions. It is interesting to notice that although Tamiya describe it as a Mk V, it has been stated over the years since it was released that it contains elements of other Marks of vehicles. Their 1/25 scale kit even has the stowage bin on the nose of the Glacis plate, that was a false addition to hide the slope and thickness from those would have liked such info to seek countermeasures against it.
The Commanders spotlight is something that I never saw fitted, but as it was not for use in Battle would likely be just for White light. I have never seen a blue filter, may its another thing that tamiya saw on the tank they used for the kit.
I have fired in training using the main searchlight using white light, in illumination of targets for Scorpion, Scimitar and Fox CVRs as initially the Image Intensification sights were not on general issue to all units.
Although I never saw them, there were dark filters for the lights which were to be used as active Infrared for night observation and engagement, which of course became counter productive as others used the same type of equipment, making it no difference from white light. When I trained as a gunner on the MBT in the mid 1970s, it was at the start of the Image Intensification use, which in only a few short years became Thermal Observation Gunnery and the magic ballistic computers. A sad aside is that I believe that Gunnery suffered as the Mk 1 Eyeball and Head Computer, took much of the enjoyment of the Gunnery Skills out of the turret.

Sorry for a bit of a ramble, but it is enjoyable to share time with others who enjoy the history behind our hobby. If I manage to find out the purpose of the small circle, if it has one, I will get back to you. Aye' John

<blockquote data-quote="golgotha" data-source="post: 213143" data-attributes="member: 14002">Good Evening,Your questions in truth I have even spoken with another ex Tankie today regarding the small round circle on the left front of the turret as although I was aware of it being there nobody or any of the materials that we have examined even mentions it. So I cannot find any reference, but it is not a hatch. As the turret went through a number of development versions over its early life, maybe it is an artifact of something.&nbsp; I do know that it is in the area of the Gun trunnions. It is interesting to notice that although Tamiya describe it as a Mk V, it has been stated over the years since it was released that it contains elements of other Marks of vehicles. Their 1/25 scale kit even has the stowage bin on the nose of the Glacis plate, that was a false addition to hide the slope and thickness from those would have liked such info to seek countermeasures against it.The Commanders spotlight is something that I never saw fitted, but as it was not for use in Battle would likely be just for White light. I have never seen a blue filter, may its another thing that tamiya saw on the tank they used for the kit.I have fired in training using the main searchlight using white light, in illumination of targets for Scorpion, Scimitar and Fox CVRs as initially the Image Intensification sights were not on general issue to all units.Although I never saw them, there were dark filters for the lights which were to be used as active Infrared for night observation and engagement, which of course became counter productive as others used the same type of equipment, making it no difference from white light. When I trained as a gunner on the MBT in the mid 1970s, it was at the start of the Image Intensification use, which in only a few short years became Thermal Observation Gunnery and the magic ballistic computers. A sad aside is that I believe that Gunnery suffered as the Mk 1 Eyeball and Head Computer, took much of the enjoyment of the Gunnery Skills out of the turret.Sorry for a bit of a ramble, but it is enjoyable to share time with others who enjoy the history behind our hobby. If I manage to find out the purpose of the small circle, if it has one, I will get back to you. Aye&#039; John</blockquote>

[QUOTE="golgotha, post: 213143, member: 14002"] Good Evening, Your questions in truth I have even spoken with another ex Tankie today regarding the small round circle on the left front of the turret as although I was aware of it being there nobody or any of the materials that we have examined even mentions it. So I cannot find any reference, but it is not a hatch. As the turret went through a number of development versions over its early life, maybe it is an artifact of something. I do know that it is in the area of the Gun trunnions. It is interesting to notice that although Tamiya describe it as a Mk V, it has been stated over the years since it was released that it contains elements of other Marks of vehicles. Their 1/25 scale kit even has the stowage bin on the nose of the Glacis plate, that was a false addition to hide the slope and thickness from those would have liked such info to seek countermeasures against it. The Commanders spotlight is something that I never saw fitted, but as it was not for use in Battle would likely be just for White light. I have never seen a blue filter, may its another thing that tamiya saw on the tank they used for the kit. I have fired in training using the main searchlight using white light, in illumination of targets for Scorpion, Scimitar and Fox CVRs as initially the Image Intensification sights were not on general issue to all units. Although I never saw them, there were dark filters for the lights which were to be used as active Infrared for night observation and engagement, which of course became counter productive as others used the same type of equipment, making it no difference from white light. When I trained as a gunner on the MBT in the mid 1970s, it was at the start of the Image Intensification use, which in only a few short years became Thermal Observation Gunnery and the magic ballistic computers. A sad aside is that I believe that Gunnery suffered as the Mk 1 Eyeball and Head Computer, took much of the enjoyment of the Gunnery Skills out of the turret. Sorry for a bit of a ramble, but it is enjoyable to share time with others who enjoy the history behind our hobby. If I manage to find out the purpose of the small circle, if it has one, I will get back to you. Aye' John [/QUOTE]

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