Aircraft wreckage?

[johnnyboy]

I recently discovered that a P-38 crashed in my locality and after a further bit of investigation discovered that a bit of wreckage had been discovered near the crash site recently. The crash site is a beach and as it happened many years ago the skeptic in me says this wreckage could be from anything.

The piece discovered is an aluminium Z-beam with attached rivets and what could be aluminium skin.

My question is how would one go about verifying this is from the aircraft or alternatively disprove it? any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Are there any numbers or markings?

Could you post a picture?

 

[vikingBerserker]

Welcome aboard. In addition to what Chris has stated, it would help to post pics of it as well.

 

[ColesAircraft]

I might be able to help, too. PLZ post pictures.

 

[bobbysocks]

get a metal detector and scour the area for more debris.....more pieces can help.

 

[johnnyboy]

These are the only photos i have got and they are pretty terrible as i was rushing when i took them. there are no numbers or markings on it and i am defo gonna scour d place wit a detector at some stage. After doin a bit of research I have determined that other members of the community actually salvaged bits of it back when it crashed so I know for a fact that the wheels and props are still in the locality. Jus think it would be nice to try and gather as much of it together as possible.

 

[T Bolt]

Looks to me like the sill at the side of the cockpit, but I couldn't find any pictures of that area of a P-38 on line to compare it too. I might have some pics to compare it to at home tonight.

 

[johnnyboy]

That would be a great help T Bolt. I appreciate you giving your time.

 

[GregP]

There are comparatively few things around made of rivited aluminum due to the labor involved. Aircraft structure seems most likely. Could be anything from a bulkhead to a canopy rim but is definitely a stiffness structure that adds considerable strength to the assembly.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

The P-38 had hat section stringers rivited to the outter skins of the wings. I believe at least the top photo could be part of a wing structure. Compare to the photo lower left. I can't access the site for a larger photo while at work.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/...7KM6WeiLXtCIl7rnQUCuVXKNRvhKy6y5Mn9Vu_n89autV

 

[T Bolt]

It doesn't seem to be the cockpit sill like I thought and I can't match it to any pictures in my P-38 references. Sorry.

 

[johnnyboy]

Thanks for all your input guys.