Help ID WC56 command car tub holes

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Help ID WC56 command car tub holes

Post by signsup » Wed May 20, 2020 7:27 am

Working on creating a rear seat frame and there are two holes on each side of the rear tub at about shoulder height while seated that I thought might have something to do with the frame mount, but nothing is lining up. Two holes in the reinforcement channel on the side of the tub, but they are not captive nuts or threded, so appears to me to be there to have something pushed into them to swivel. I do not have a top bow set but can't find any photos that show anything going into these four holes.
Can someone shed some light on the purpose of these holes so that I can decide their fate?

Thanks in advance..
holes 1.JPG
holes 2.JPG
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Re: Help ID WC56 command car tub holes

Post by mdainsd » Wed May 20, 2020 10:24 am

mine doesn't have those holes.
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Re: Help ID WC56 command car tub holes

Post by signsup » Wed May 20, 2020 6:28 pm

Well, you could drill some in. Then find something to stick in the holes and then tell me what you stuck in the holes. Then I'd know what to stick in mine..
Just kidding.... curious Pretty substantial size hole. Maybe a tray or shelf or something. That darn Bubba guy . . .
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Re: Help ID WC56 command car tub holes

Post by motto » Wed May 20, 2020 8:16 pm

The bows pivot on the triangular brackets welded in either side. They are the only attach points for the bows when they are not in use. When in use they are also secured to the windscreen frame.
From memory the rear seat frame is only secured to the floor at four points. There are no other attach points for the seat. The backrest and base frame is all one piece.

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Re: Help ID WC56 command car tub holes

Post by ziro » Wed May 20, 2020 10:52 pm

Some photos...

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

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Re: Help ID WC56 command car tub holes

Post by dpcd67 » Thu May 21, 2020 7:36 am

I also looked at some factory pictures in the big Dodge books and, no holes. So, fire up your MIG welder.
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Re: Help ID WC56 command car tub holes

Post by mdainsd » Thu May 21, 2020 10:08 am

Here is a pic of mine.

Your seat frame looks to low in the back. It is supposed to be even with the vertical lip on the rear deck. That is what supports the seat back when a couple of big fat Generals are riding back there...
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Re: Help ID WC56 command car tub holes

Post by signsup » Fri May 22, 2020 12:29 pm

Rear seat frame is a work in progress. No attachment feet on it yet, just laid in place while working on it and using measuremnts provided by another forum member. But, nice to know where it should rest. Also notice our rear top lip must be bent a little as our seat frame is pretty close at each side but low in the middle.
Time to get out the delicate tapping tool. (sledge hammer)

Pretty hard to weld up the holes as no way to get in back of them. So unless we can come up with a way to put some steel plugs in the holes and weld and grind, we may just leave them. Since this is Patton's Command Car, we can call them bullet holes, right …?
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Re: Help ID WC56 command car tub holes

Post by dpcd67 » Fri May 22, 2020 3:49 pm

How I fill holes; machine plugs to fit the holes, insert them, and weld around them, grind smooth. In your case, get some steel rod the diameter of the hole; push it in until it stops; cut off there; weld in.
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Re: Help ID WC56 command car tub holes

Post by mdainsd » Fri May 22, 2020 4:14 pm

Well, since it IS Patton's Command Car those holes probably held the humidor for his cigars on one side and his slappin' gloves on the other. :o
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Re: Help ID WC56 command car tub holes

Post by dpcd67 » Sat May 23, 2020 7:41 am

I guess the one in the Patton Museum is a fake.
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Re: Help ID WC56 command car tub holes

Post by signsup » Sat May 23, 2020 12:29 pm

Tom,
It must be. The real deal is being auctioned off in Auburn, IN. The auctioneer says so. The re enactor group in TX has one, so theirs must be the real deal. Mine has a replica machine gun on it, so mine must be the real thing. I think Gen. George must have had a fleet of these things for each of us to have an aucthentic, but not verified, command car.
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