Snorkel or Radio antenna holes in my Cab 13 ????

[Mark Towers]

Good afternoon all,

Can any one kindly explain what the 2 x wholes in my Cab 13 F60 LAAT were used for.

The 1st fist size hole is in the cab floor on the passenger side rear corner of the cab , and the 2nd fist size hole is directly above the first hole but up in the cab roof??

Both holes are now plated shut by a plate and several small bolts ... Could this be for a breathing snorkel or some kind of Antenna ??

I welcome any suggestions!

I will try and post a pic this evening .

Kind regards

Mark Towers

1944 CMP f60 LAAT
1942 Canadian 40mm Bofors Gun
1940 BSA M20
1944 Cycle bike

[rob love]

I had similar holes in my KL welder. I thought they may have run the exhaust pipe through the cab for heat. Would be a bugger during the summer mind you.

[Mark Towers]

Hi Rob,

You could be right about the exhaust fitting for heating the cab ! That does seem logical ... And the holes top and bottom are on the correct side of the cab for the exhaust to run up that way !

I hope we get more replys to this thread to know for sure

Kind regards

Mark

[rob love]

Mine had holes around the roof opening that resembled a 19 set antenna aerial base. There was nothing on the floor though.

Despite the frozen temps here in Canada, and especially here on the prairies (Shilo was used by both Canada and the USA for Arctic testing of equipment over the years) heaters seemed to be far and few between on military eqiupment until the late 60s. As a yong militiaman, all our M-135 2-1/2 tons had for winter use were frost shields for the windshields and side windows. But there was nothing to provide heat unless you count the little trap door on the floor for the master cylinder. This changed marginally in the mid 80s when the M35Cdn had a heater as standard equpment. It would at least keep the windows partilly defrosted, and given enough time, could possibly melt an icecube.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Mark,

See the thread F15A - a lot of questions where Markus raised the same question. Sadly his pictures are gone but there are some pointers towards what would be their purpose.

Hanno