[marco]

I also think the brackets are ment as steps for the turret crew.
The idea is to get in the turret as fast as possible and in this way it will certainly go faster than climbing the side of a fully stowed car.
Quite similar to entering a Sherman turret.
I have not seen these steps on WWII period Staghounds (yet).

The bar stock pointing outward from the headlight socket actually is a 1/2” UNF bolt with an “elongated” hexagon head 3/4” AF.
There is just enough space between the edge of this head and the hull to hold the 3/4” diameter towing cable.

Btw: am still looking for this (20 ft) cable.
I have seen 5/8” , 1” and 1-1/4” cables but never a 3/4”.

Marco