What is this on my L3?

[Aerco]

I posted this in the L3 yahoo group too and so far we're stumped:

On the top windshield/wingroot fairing I have these two triangular brackets as seen in the photo. Riveted to the fairing and it has two sheetmetal screw holes at the rear that don't seem to connect to any other part of my jigsaw puzzle. They almost look like they were designed to be ventilation air scoops. (This airplane did spend all its life in the southwest.)

Any ideas what they are and how they connect to anything else?

[Aerco]

What ? Nobody??

I'm disappointed!

[Paul Agaliotis]

Peter,
It might be the flash suppressor for the twin-pac 50 cal. in the wing root. I only know of one plane modified in this manner, and you own it. BTW I believe Lindbergh flew it on a bond drive in the 40's. Later it was sold to Howard Hughes and used as a photo plane for the Hercules H-4 flight. Later it was used to herd ostrich in the first ranch in the USA. It was June or July 1947 in Roswell NM.There was a report that it clipped something unidentified, but the trail grows cold at this point.You're one lucky guy, Peter.
Paul

[Aerco]

Alright then - that is all I wanted to know! I knew somebody here would have the answer.

[Paul Agaliotis]

Peter,
Could be to keep the door from breaking the windshield if the stop on the strut fails.
Paul

[Aerco]

Ah - but it's on both sides! I favor the flash hider theory.

[Paul Agaliotis]

It's got to be for the guns then. I'll get to work on the blister pack .50's for you Peter. Next time I head to Corona I'll look you up.
Paul