What is this for?

[Ak tcraft]

1946 bc12d , it's in the belly. Not sure what it's purpose is.

[Robert Lees]

No idea. The rectangular wooden piece appears to be under the tubes (in alignment with the stringers). Evidently someone wanted to mount something under the belly...a glideslope aerial perhaps?

Why does your post have a timeline (calendar) with it?

Rob

[Ak tcraft]

Not sure why the time line is there. I don't post often , thus still figuring it out. Thanks for reply.

[astjp2]

maybe an antenna mount?

[N96337]

I was thinking antenna or maybe an ELT mount?
John

[Hank Jarrett]

That's what it looks lie to me too. I don't think it is original. Depending on what the other side of the wood looks like it should give you some clues as to if it was ever used to mount an antenna or wind generator (my guess is nothing has EVER been mounted there yet). It could also have been a misguided attempt to put a "floor" there to put something on but it doesn't look like anything was ever strapped to the top (no fastener holes).
If there are no screw holes or mounts on either side I would guess someone put it there prior to covering so there would be a hard surface under the covering for a Com Antenna to attach to. If it was a "floor" for something like a battery there would be no reason not to put it on TOP of the tubes, which would have been much easier than trying to get it flush with the fabric.

If it WAS for a comm antenna, he SHOULD have made it metal for a good ground plane. The planes I have been in with the antenna on the bottom seemed to have slightly better range talking to the ground from high altitude but were much worse when you were low. I think whoever did it probably thought it was a great idea for the future when he did it and never used it when he saw it wasn't such a good idea after all. It probably wasn't worth the trouble to remove and screw up the fabric after he had her covered.

Hank