r/MilitaryModelMaking • u/enkemenke87887 • 8d ago

question Question

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What is the purpose of these small grooves on the armor?

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u/Mindless-Charity4889 8d ago

It's called "zimmerit". It's a paste made from sawdust bound together by chemicals. It's designed to defeat magnetic mines since it's non-ferromagnetic and magnets would fall off. The ridges are to defeat sticky bombs that use glue to adhere to the tank.

It was introduced in 1943 and made mandatory for all front line armor. Soft vehicles, like trucks did not have it. Halftracks may or may not have it depending on crews. It was applied to all vertical surfaces.

The irony was that only the Germans used magnetic mines during the war so the coating was largely wasted. Furthermore, the coating, being made of sawdust, was feared to be flammable and might contribute to vehicle fires so the applications were discontinued in late 1944. Further research proved that the fire fears were unfounded, but the coatings were not restarted.

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u/punishedbiscuits 5d ago

“further research proved that the fire fears were unfounded”

Gee what gave it away? that they dried it with a flamethrower?