It is a door or at least a hatch, if you look closely you will see that it has a 'shadow' underneath at the same angle as the officer and sponson. Could it be a display vehicle with a cut away for the public/officer corp to view the new machine?
E.
-- Edited by Thylacine on Thursday 19th of September 2013 07:31:45 AM
I don't think it's a door, I think it's possibly a patch of clean paintwork that for some reason doesn't have as much dust on it as the surrounding areas. Perhaps a poster or something like it was stuck there for some reason?
I attach a photo of a Mk V* which seems to show a door level with the front turret.
I cannot find a front side door on all the photos I have or on the plans I got from Bovington.
Can anyone shed any light on this?
Tony
Extra bolted on armour would make sense, as I know on the earlier tanks, that was the position of their fuel tanks. From what I can make out, the pattern of bolts around the plate suggest this tank has its fuel in the same place.
I just think this is a mark on the paintwork. I'd have to guess at what made it and the best I can come up with is a temporary plaque, along the lines of "this tank paid for by subscriptions from Anytown". It isn't a door, and it isn't armour to protect the fuel tanks, because these are at the back.
In this place in the tank the box of the commander, so most likely it either the tablet or the additional onboard reservation settled down. More where it does not meet.
If it helps, this is a 1943 press photo. Attached is a copy of the label that was attached to the images when they were sent out to various media outlets.
