Top bow extension lengths?

[8683jb]

Can someone tell me the lengths of the extensions for the top bows on an M2A1? I think the two rear ones are different than the middle two and the one for the half bow at the front is pretty short, but I don’t have the actual lengths. Thanks for any help.
Jon

[steve1973]

Check out this link.

http://halftrackinfo.com/index.php?topic=951.0

Steve A.

[8683jb]

Thanks for the help Steve. Mine doesn’t have the brackets. It has the pockets welded to the bottom of the perimeter rail. There are two on each side in the rear compartment and one for the half-bow above the driver that attaches to the pulpit. The rear bow is vertical and not slanted back. The rod for the half-bow will be easy to make since the height is established by the pulpit. I just need to know how tall the other four should be.

[Tapper02]

Jon,
  You may not need extension rods since your brackets are welded so much higher.  What you probably need is the measurement from the top edge of the armor to the top of the bows when installed...then you can put your bows on and determine the delta and length of rod you need to make, if any.

-Tom

[8683jb]

Jon,
  You may not need extension rods since your brackets are welded so much higher.  What you probably need is the measurement from the top edge of the armor to the top of the bows when installed...then you can put your bows on and determine the delta and length of rod you need to make, if any.

-Tom

I think you're right Tom. That's the important dimension and if the pockets aren't standard, that's what I'll do. It'll take some sort of female extension because the bottoms of the bows are male, the same as the fittings where they plug in. I spoke with Jim Clark/Allied Forces Canvas yesterday to discuss making the top and when he returns from Normandy we'll come up with the correct height. Thanks for your help.

[yd328]

Jon,
I have 3 top bows and 3 different length extensions. They are 14 1/8",18 3/8", and 22 1/16". I think the 3 bows are for a M2 and just 2 are used for the A1.
I have the same pockets you have but in addition, I have pegs welded to the flat straps where the body plates meet. I'm assuming this was done during the A1 conversion.

Gary

[8683jb]

Jon,
I have 3 top bows and 3 different length extensions. They are 14 1/8",18 3/8", and 22 1/16". I think the 3 bows are for a M2 and just 2 are used for the A1.
I have the same pockets you have but in addition, I have pegs welded to the flat straps where the body plates meet. I'm assuming this was done during the A1 conversion.

Gary

Those are within an 1/8” of the lengths I got from Beechwood Canvas. I’ve seen both rear bow configurations and I think you’re right on the A1 conversion. Mine had one bracket leftover on the right side for a slanted rear bow and I assumed it was from when it was an M2. Thanks Gary.

[8683jb]

Jon,
  You may not need extension rods since your brackets are welded so much higher.  What you probably need is the measurement from the top edge of the armor to the top of the bows when installed...then you can put your bows on and determine the delta and length of rod you need to make, if any.

-Tom

Can someone help with the height of the middle and rear bows above the perimeter rail on an M2A1? Thanks!

Jon