Wartime T-16 Universal Carriers with Tops / Bows

[horsa]

I was familiar with the Loyd and Windsor carriers having bows and canvas tops. The Windsor has a closer look to the T-16 with the large outside rear hull locker. Attached image shows an overhead drawing and you can see the four bows stored on top of the locker.

Even with optimistic planners speculating the war could have ended by Christmas '44 following the Normandy landings, they would have still known the vehicle crews would be spending the fall/winter with their vehicles in the field. You'd think there would have been something official in the works for waterproof cover to protect the equipment even if they weren't worried about the men. I'd be nice to know if some REME outfit fabbed up the bows after the landings or if they were done in the UK and came in with later supplies in August after the region was more stable.