A GI poses on the turret of a Panzer IV Ausf.D Fgst.Nr. 80663 at a German training facility near Braunschweig.
While the vehicle at first seems normal, it soon gives out some odd additions; A Notek light firt fitted to Ausf.Ds in Fabuary 1940 but lacks the 30MM armor that was added beginning in July 1940. The KFF2 driver’s periscope appears plugged and a rudimentary angle iron rain guard is fitted over the driver’s visor. It has the wider track and suspension components (introduced with the Ausf.G) and a tray for two spare road-wheeis (introduced with the Ausf.C).
Most unusual is the neat addition of a ‘C’ hook to this tray, as Panzerkampf IV’s came with the more standard ‘S’ hook.
Looking further aft, the brackets to carry the Triebgas cylinders, an alternative fuel to gasoline common to heavier armored vehicles relegated to driver training. A regulator fitted to the standard Maybach HL 120 TRM would have allowed the engine to burn this bottled gas.