Pat 12 gets a nose job

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Grant

You are describing the panel I need to replicate, I think.

On the Pat 13s this panel starts off being held in place with 3 or 4 1/4x20 bolts or flat head machine screws in 1942 to an end state of having a twist lock in 1945 so that this panel could be easily removed and more important easily reinstalled. The logic on the Pat 13s to make it easier to remove and instal is so that you could access the fan belt and the generator. As the generator had to be loosened to disengage the fan for fording I suspect that they realized they had to make it easier.

On the Pat 11 & 12 I would not be surprised to hear it is held in place by half dozen bolts and require the removal of 2 other parts to remove the panel. Working on the different Pattern # you gain a real appreciation of the improvements they were making to CMPs in response to field service problems.

I suspect that this panel is also needed to protect the fan, radiator, belt and generator from mud and water being splashed in from the front wheel.

Cheers Phil