Thanks Owen, that is very helpful. It makes perfect sense the early CMPs used rubber similar to their pre-war cousins. Then with rubber shortages they improvised a fabric (burlap?) coated in tar. I confess to taking little notice all those years ago when I took my fenders off but today am seeing a coated loose weave burlap like material under all the roof fittings as a waterproof seal. Tar and cotton was available and cheap.
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