Another Original Bantam SN 2524

Dave's trailer isn't that early! I knew they used leftover parts but I didn't know they cut off the lunette mount but it makes perfect sense. I don't think every early trailer had a casting like this so they must have gotten a batch during production.

I think the more we talk about these, and the more information that surfaces, the picture and timeline may become clearer, kind of like with the discussions about the 2A. The unfortunate thing is that there are not "Parts Catalogs" or "Maintenance Manuals". (at least not that I've heard of). 

Doug,
I've seen the boxing plate both ways, mine has the diagonal cut like you described, but I've seen pictures of other early ones with the > plate. I've also seen pictures of postwar military trailers with the same detail. Looking at the pictures on Art's T3-C page, the earliest tongue bar with the diagonal boxing plate is 9466, and every picture of earlier numbers that the tongue bar is visible (or not replaced entirely with a modern piece) has the > plate. Also it appears that the earliest picture on Art's page that has the newer landing leg casting is 12044, all the pictures before this number have the "U" strap to attach the coupler, and from this number on, the coupler bolts directly to the casting. As more numbers and pictures are collected, the actual changeover can be more accurately determined. (notice I said nothing about dates, that's going to be a lot tougher)  This is informative stuff, maybe we'll eventually figure it out. (or maybe not)


Edited by bkreutz - 31 Jan. 2009 at 6:39am