Another Original Bantam SN 2524

Another Original Trailer - SN 2524  - first shots were taken on day of pickup in Ohio

Edited by dmeyerrph - 31 Jan. 2009 at 4:07am

Dave,

As Tony said, I'm drulling.

Was there a plug on the end of that harness?

No - there was no plug - only 2 wires inside the old - almost rotten wire loom - most of it underneath was OK so I just replaced the 2 wire.

This trailer has the same coupler casting as the trailer I parted out. It's the only other trailer like it I've seen.

Regarding the Fulton coupler.  That is the original coupler that the civilian Bantams came with.  It is 1 and 7/8 inch.  I am just guessing that if someone needs to replace the coupler, it would have been difficult to find an exact replacement, plus they may have moved to a 2 inch coupler.

Please don't say I'm the first to notice this! If so can we name it after me like a comet or star?

Matt,
I've seen that style of coupler mount a few times before. In my mind this is the "earlier" style mounting arrangement. Working from photos, it looks like they used a military landing leg casting and used that "U" strap affair to adapt the Fulton to it. From the pictures it appears that they didn't  drill the lunette hole, but maybe I just can't see it. The later castings had the extension cast in so the coupler could bolt directly to it without the "U" strap. At least that's the way I rationalized it. Other details that look early. (and it's not that early with the rear sheet metal panels) are the tongue bars, they have a different shaped boxing plate. ("V" instead of single angle) and the same bars are attached with a "U" strap to the front of the box whereas mine has a single bolt through the channel of the tongue bar and the angle iron on the front of the box. From opinions I've formed on these things, this one almost looks like a "missing link" between the early ones without the sheet metal taillight panels and mine. I think the information gathering is still ongoing. (reminds me of discussions about the 2A when I first joined the page). That is really a nice survivor, Dmeyerrph, you are fortunate indeed. Looks like the only original part you didn't get was the wiring plug. I've since given up finding an Arrow taillight and can't even estimate the time I've spent beating, banging, heating, and shrinking the stretched and bent metal on mine. It's nice to see one that original.

Edit: Looking at the "before" pictures again, I just noticed it has axle bumpers, haven't seen them before. Now I know what the holes in my frame rails are for. Thanks.


Edited by bkreutz - 29 Jan. 2009 at 3:43pm

Once Art gets his Bantam website back up - he is collecting SN and pics.

Interesting  pics.. I hope you traced that BANTAM lettering on the rear....The combat rims are an interesting feature as well, more WWII parts reused..