On a restored FK96 there are 2 panels of canvas about A4 page size with a metal edging - the panels are on the rear part of the gun shield on the upper part of the shield. A bit of thought suggests they might be emulations of gas detection panels. Is this reasonable?
What colour were German gas detection panels and what colour did they go when exposed to gas?
... What colour were German gas detection panels and what colour did they go when exposed to gas?
I don't know - and if nobody else does, we may have to assume they were the same as British WW2 mustard-gas detecting paint patches on aircraft (early war) and public post boxes. That was light yellow-green or chartreuse () turning pink on gas exposure depending on concentration and life left in the paint. http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=84&t=29415 mentions the colours.
There were 'gas detection brassards' in use during WW2 (American and I think British) so any detailed discussion of those might offer some more insight. The Russians at the same time had a hand-sized pump detector kit with numerous reagents for testing for different gasses. I guess there are many possibilities and nothing seen in a quick look is exactly on the button. But in the absence of further info I think mustard gas detection would be the most likely and the same reaction/colours as the British used later.
-- Edited by Rectalgia on Monday 5th of April 2010 11:06:02 AM
....the FK96 n/A was fitted with gunner seats immediately in front of the splinter shield . When on the march, the hinged top part of the shield was folded down forward. The inside of this shield portion was fitted with padded seat-backs for the gunner's riding comfort.
....the FK96 n/A was fitted with gunner seats immediately in front of the splinter shield . When on the march, the hinged top part of the shield was folded down forward. The inside of this shield portion was fitted with padded seat-backs for the gunner's riding comfort.
Still and all it raises the question, were the equivalents of WW2-type detection patches ever used in WW1? The detector paint might well be a between-wars development but treated cloth (as later used in gas-detection brassards) would seem a reasonable development during WW1. We know about the bells, gas rattles and sirens but were there early detection systems to go with them? I can find no trace until the 1930s. I guess things simply happened too quickly during the course of WW1 for any such refinement, but who knows? Not I.
The panels you have described are only leather head rest for the crewmen. As is pointed out by Rectalgia I have several of these gun types. I am not aware of any use of chemical detection panels directly fitted to any German Gun or Howitzer in the WW1 Era.
If you look over my restoration of a 7,7cm lFK 1896 n/A you can see these headrest on the sheild:
Scroll down to the eighth and ninth slides. These show the head rest. Also, note that the upper shield folds forward so they line up with the crewman's head while the man is seated and the gun is being towed.
I hope this helps
R/
Ralph Lovett www.lovettartillery.com
-- Edited by Ralph Lovett on Tuesday 6th of April 2010 10:08:06 PM
-- Edited by Ralph Lovett on Tuesday 6th of April 2010 10:12:31 PM