Radiator cover TL3473

[Jordan Baker]

The blanking board was used to cover over tr radiator during cold weather. Same idea as a radiator cover on trucks in tue winter. Helps to get the engine up to running temps quicker.

Does nothing to help lessen the fan noise. Only way to do that is shut the engine off.

As for where it is stored I seem to remember seeing something saying it was stored behind the gunners seat back. It fits really well there and doesn't move around at all.

[Michael R.]

Stowage location of the cold weather blanking board depends on MK-I series or MK-I/MK-II upgrade and MK-II production. You would not be placing the blanking board behind a MK-II style gunner seat back.

As a result, there are slight differences in the board to accommodate a retaining bolt hole in one corner. That would allow the MK-II* board to be stowed along the lower hull left sidewall at the gunner left leg, similar to the BREN cleaning rod location on some of the MK-I/MK-I* series where equipped with a BREN. One of the left hand grip retention nuts is replaced with a CTL 14333 knurled knob, and the board is fitted on the stud and retained by the knob.

The blanking board compliments those additional efforts with the cold climate kit including the canvas engine cover opening, swinging deflector plate in the engine ventilator intake opening, and sliding rear lower engine cover panel.

[Andrew Rowe]

Hi guys , Thanks for the replies, they are a real help.

[Ron Pier]

Well done M.R. Ron

[Lynn Eades]

Just to add to this thread.
The hole in the div plate in my AOP MkIIIw is bigger than the earlier carriers. This might also account for variation in part numbers.
I Imagine this was a std. thing with the later (no air ducts) MkIIIs

[RichardT10829]

when not stowed, or used to blank the rad aperture, they make fantastic trays to eat ones supper from

[Michael R.]

Could someone please share some details in Chilwell 63/90: . . . 'Instructions to Guide the Preparation of Carriers Universal . . . for Sub-Zero Operations . . .'


I am looking for detail on the sliding lower engine covers that can close off the area beside the fuel tanks. Nigel W. in UC VOL II at page 276 reports on the blanking board as well as the British MK-II and MK-II MMG carrier modifications to the deflector, as well as the canvas 'muff' over the ventilation screen.

Perhaps a cold weather operations modifications guide exists in the Canadian Bulletins ?