The flap on the pedal is a safety device. The flap sits against a vertical bar in the pedal box that stops the pedal being depressed unless the foot is first pressed on the flap as in normal use.
It is a mod issued in March 1941 and describes as 'Fitting of lock for traversing change speed pedal'.
It's not clear why it was felt necessary, the return springs are quite strong so inadvertent pedal pressing seems unlikely but it might be to stop the pedal falling down it the springs break or weaken as that would invoke the interlock between the two pedals preventing firing.
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Adrian Barrell
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