This was posted on Missing-Lynx and it's driving me crazy as to just what the hell it is used for .



Clues [ alleged ]

#1 Found only on some Grant [ only Grants ] tanks from two Indian regiments serving in Burma . One is the 146th .

#2 Obviously a field mod .



Suggested purposes .
Lift attachments for loading and unloading .
Tank wader supports .
My theory , because of the bend inward towards the engine cover , used to attach poles to with a clevis pin for engine work/removal/replacement .

I don't think it's used for lifting the whole tank . It has that inward bend and the hole is to small for anything larger than a clevis pin . Making for an awkward angle for the clevis .

Photos show tanks being loaded and unloaded by passing cables under the tank back up to the crane hook .





Now I'm not saying my theory is correct , I haven't been able to find any answers as to what the hell this is for .

Help wanted !!!

I'm inclined to think something to do with the deep water fording kit. Another idea could be to secure large loads on the back deck during shipment.

For holding poles for a camouflage net maybe, or a sun screen?

Guy , I did find this but it's inconclusive evidence cause you can't see the brackets , although the two cables are going to where the brackets are .



John good guess , maybe but the brackets look too heavy for netting or a shade tarp , not saying you'e wrong cause right now nobody knows .

I have a recollection of an A frame that was attached to the front shackles on British M3's that was supported from the rear by cables. As the Grants do not have a lift ring like the M4's, perhaps these are the rear mounting points for the support cables.

The brackets do not look like a field modification. The brackets are a factory produced part that was made to fit, and are well welded. It does not seem to be something a tank crew or two decided on.

That is my guess, and given the lack of support vehicles in Burma, as good a guess as anything else.

That depends on your definition of Field Modeification.

Any Brigade or Divisional level REME Workshop would have had the equipment to create the brackets and do this type of modification (and frequently did).

What it might be for is another matter entirely

Regards,
John

John,

I've met members of the REME from the 2nd Canadian Armored, a nice group of veterans. That was 25 years ago!

My thoughts are that the brackets are too well made to be something dreamed up in the field. However, I have seen original WWII and Korean era repairs that were done with great skill. Now I am even more curious as to the what and why for those things. It's bound to be something very simple.

Looks like the right diameter hole to mount a spare bogie wheel.