I am going through all the channels I can think of to find the answer to this question: Did the (armored)"liquid filler cap" and fuel filler caps have chains on them? On page 23 of the walk around book, there is a picture of the liquid filler cap with a chain, but in the same book, on page 24, there are no chains. This made me think the chains were just for display vehicles? I don't know. The same thing for the spare barrel, swing away clamps. On page 16, you can clearly see a chain on the clamp, but period photos of that section, at that angle, are nearly impossible to find, and it's almost impossible to see if there were chains. Perhaps this is a precautionary measure for a display vehicle as well?
Finally, concerning the machine gun mounts; there is an inverted U-bolt which served as the locking bail for travel. However, that U-bolt device appears absent when the M-60 was mounted, which would make sense. Is that the case? I am asking because the AFV Club model, the kit which I am building, molds both mounts with the U-bolt in place. In other words, if I wanted to add the machine gun, which I plan to do, I'm thinking I'd have to shave off that particular U-bolt device?

Thanks for your time and any help is appreciated.

-Felix

Looks like there are no chains (TM drawing) :



Here's another picture that shows the locking bail in place :



Here's a period picture showing it on a M60 mount :



I guess you'd be safe removing it for a "in action" Duster, whatever the machine-gun

H.P.

Not sure if the filler caps always had chains, but the chains were there to keep the lock handles from going AWOL when the cap was opened. (The handle is just a bent bar, easily dropped and lost once removed...) I'd check period photos, as it seems odd that they would leave the factory without them. Same as the filler caps on a Sherman - they ought to have chains too.

There's a walkaround on PrimePortal that shows chains on the caps.

Of course, the chains could be missing from preserved vehicles, and might not be on the test vehicles illustrated in the TM. And they are tiny in 1:35 scale, so are often overlooked by the plastic kit makers...

I agree there should be retaining chains but their size makes them hard to notice in period pics. It's the "best" I've found :



H.P.

Thanks for the information; it helps a lot. Those reference photos are great. Guess I'm glad I purchased some model chains recently. I'll plan on putting them on today. Looks like I won't have to shave off the U-bolt piece after all, as I am planning a resting scene/vignette with Bravo-6 "Take 5" guys, which were sort of the catalyst to my idea. Thanks guys! Much appreciated.

-Felix

To use the word "chains" is a little misleading... all those chains that hold cotter pins and locking pins are about the size of a heavy duty necklace. I've ended up loosing the pins regardless because they can just easily pull out of the end of the chain leaving it useless.

My old M151 jeep has these ... or is supposed to have have these on all the locking pins like the windshield and seat pins.. half of them are just broken off and the ones that remain have so much heavy paint hardened on them that they are useless.

just went thru my photos of an M42 parked near by. There were no chains on the fuel filler caps, but there was a circular lock ring.
gary