Now remember, we've been over this many times before people. Arguments of "Can't be true because X doesn't make sense" need not apply with Relic logic.
1) There is no "in combat" game mechanic. The game doesnt differentiate, in anyway, between units that are in combat and those who arent. Its not like WoW or other MMOs where there is a distinct flagged "in combat" state.
US rifles defensive stance, guards motor repair, infiltration grenades cooldown etc all dependent on what Relic considers to be "out of combat", which seems to be "not already shooting at stuff"
Specifically regarding the vehicle crew thompsons? Probably a "wow cool" factor/ design choice that has (and I just can't see ever having) any real utility in competitive settings.
Those guys are paper thin, and arguably they need to be for sake of balance. As such, they will never be close combat monsters (or any combat for that matter) and so any further munitions expenditure on them is good money down the drain, especially for close combat weapons. And especially at that laughable price.
As much as relic has their design philosophy for a faction, eventually when the initial sales rush dies down in a few months and they are looking to boost sales or micro-transactions, you bet they will look to see what people want in the game (ie $$$ DLC) and Pershings will be high up there. As a result I would be surprised if they didn't eventually make an appearance for economics alone.
For the same reason, why design two new units (Jumbo and Pershing) and give them away in the one doctrine, when you could put them in two doctrines for 2x the cash!
The funny thing is it's modeled after an Ausf. H as far as I can see:
- 4 Return Rollers per-side
- View-ports on side and turret doors
- AA Mount for MG 42 (added with upgraded)
- Giant barrel-shaped exhaust system
- Turret speed is the same as OH Panzer IV
The only things indicative of the J are in the stats, having less armour (lower metal quality in the late-war) and cheaper cost (simplified production).
Additionally, turret schurzen was standard but hull schurzen not necessarily so, although it was still often fitted. But there are plenty of reference photo's with the J model sans the skirts.