David, as I said to Chuck, it's about the journey, not the horse. Or the tiger. Or the camel.

Paul, you got it - the camel is the star. A metaphor with a hump.

It is indeed about the journey, David. That's why I, I took the road less traveled by. And that has made all the difference...

Paul, when I saw that picture with the camel, I knew I had to add it to my Sherman article. having a camel in a desert photo is like well... having a camel in a desert photo. It just adds to the overall sandy desert theme.

David, the answer to your road wheel question is in several parts. I'll try to explain as best I can:

Your Tiger photo is spot on. If you look close at it, you can still see the color of the rubber showing up under the sand and dust.

This overall look will change a little based on the grain of the sand the vehicle is travelling in. A finer grain sand will have a finer dust that looks almost like a powder. This finer grained stuff gets into everything ! It's horrible in your eyes, ears nose and mouth, doesn't taste good in your food or water, and is a maintenance night mare.

This kind of dust sticks to almost anything, people included. When something brushes up against it, the brushing action will remove most of the dust, but it still leaves a light colored powdery residue behind. As the rubber in the road wheel flexes (as it does when the weight of the tank passes over the road wheel where it makes contact at the bottom with the track), this flexing action helps to knock off some of the dust.

This is why road wheels sometimes look as though you can still see the rubber outer lining on the wheel slightly visible under the overall dust coating.

Another thing about rubber road wheels that most people miss:

The track center guides have a tendency to rip little chunks of rubber off the edge of the road wheels. The damage happens at the inner or outer edge of the wheel, depending on how it rides against the guides.

The Tiger has two sets of center guides. One set rides along the edge on the inner set of overlapping wheels, the other set of center guides rides along the edge of the outer set of overlapping wheels. Place a section of road wheels on your tank and then look at it from the front or rear, while aligning the wheels with your eyes. You will notice two small areas in line with each of the wheels. This is where the center guides ride in between the sets of wheels. I'll try to post up some pictures tomorrow showing this, and this will help to explain this much better than I ever could...

As the tank is driven, these areas are damaged mainly on the first and last sets of road wheels. This happens as the tank is turning, and the center guide from the track is trying to jump up and over the road wheels. This happens more often with a track that is loose (such as the Tiger), more than it does on a set of tracks that are tight, (most American tanks).

At first the damage is minimal. But after some time the road wheels get damaged to the point they need replacing. On occasion, the entire section of rubber can rip away from the wheel, leaving behind the steel center section.

I'll definitely post up some pictures for you tomorrow. I have a King Tiger that doesn't have the tracks on it just yet. I can point these places out to you in the photos.

Talk with you soon... Tell Lou the dolphin I said hello... 🙂

Paul, I will endeavour to do for camels what the venerable Mr. Stubbs did for the equine world.

And hey, David. Nice to know I'm not the only obsessive nut around here.

Thanks for the company, enjoy the road.

No foul, no harm, David. Takes one to know one, I guess. Rogue apostrophies for me, every time. Drive's me crazy.

Got to say this has started to get way above my pay grade, Louis. But loving it, and hey, I don't have the headache this guy had...

I've been doing a bit of research into the reasons behind the German persistence with interleaved road wheels on their tanks despite the maintenance issues (really, TEN HOURS to change a set of road wheels in theatre!). Fascinating stuff, made more so now with your help and great photos. I've also stumbled over the great 'what the hell color were North African Tigers' debate. Apparently many of the early Tigers into the Tunisian theatre were painted Olive Drab, paint appropriated by the Germans from retreating/defeated American regiments. amazing photos (I'm sure you have seen these) from life magazine here (the second picture is apparently more accurate in shade).

I realise I'm preaching with all the fervour of a convert here, but it has to be said. Tanks are great.

Thanks, Louis.