[Darrin Wright]

Hi Nathan,

require better pics to show the front of the engine cover vertical sides and the holes that you mention to the rear of the top vent.

I cannot say that it is or is not an engine cover from a trial/pre-production BGC 3" Mortar Carrying.

It defiantly is not from the main group of modified BGC 3" Mortar Carrying, of which I know there were 22 modified and used in Darwin during March 1942 to March 1943.
I know of 5 of these BGC in collectors hands, only 3 have their original engine covers and top cover/vents with them. And those engine covers do not have that modification.

The documented strengthening of the engine cover I think is miss reported or is from a trial vehicle that did not get incorporated into the modification or production for the 3" Mortar Carrying. The only strengthening that I know of is the metal brackets welded into the top rear opening (directly above the drive coupling) to accommodate the base plate when the mortar is positioned on top of the engine cover. There are some other small brackets at the front of the engine cover to position the feet of the bi-pod. Also some fixtures on the top cover are removed for the wooden blocks that mount the tube or bi-pod in the stowed position.