So some late WW2 German Tank Destroyers had MG-42s fitted as a "hull machine gun." But the MG-42's barrel could only be changed from the side. How would the tank crews change the barrel of the MG-42? Would they manually remove it from its mounting and then change it?

by Luftwafflez4Brekfast

I mean late-war German tank destroyers like the Jagdpanzer IV or Panzer 14/70...yea.

the_howling_cow

The MG 42 was fitted in a ball mount in the right front of the hull, protected by a cone-shaped armored cover. The mount itself was uncomplicated and the machine gun could be freely removed when not in use so as to not impede movement inside the vehicle and the armored cover closed over the opening. Whoever was operating the machine gun sighted it through a small peephole cut in the armor above it.