B-17 Parts found at local airbase
- Thread starter safariman
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SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
That was pretty neat!
- Thread starter
- #43
safariman
Airman
Another part found on the airbase a few months ago but hadn't cleaned it up so hear it is. Sure it is a instrument mounting bracket but maybe from the number found on it somebody can tell me from what part of the plane it came from and confirm it was from a B-17. Part number on it is 9-9548B. There is also another B on the bottom seen in picture 1. Part has definitely been through the wars literally.
Look forward to any info
Wow or could this somehow be from a ME109 or FW190 ???????
ME109 Propeller Pitch indicator
Look forward to any info
Wow or could this somehow be from a ME109 or FW190 ???????
ME109 Propeller Pitch indicator
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MiTasol
1st Lieutenant
That is actually the instrument case and the basic shape fits any of a hundred gauges. Can you please measure several dimensions as that will help narrow the field considerably
It would be nice if it was the Me109 case - it would appear to be a good chance
Typically many gauges found on the B-17 are similar to your photo though usually with visual differences - not all had captive nuts like this example which has only two screws to retain the internals and has a metal connector thread that is integral with the internals. This one, like many American gauges, was designed to fit a 2 1/4 hole in the panel.
- On the front what is the diameter of the flange just inside the mounting screws?
- and the distance centre to centre of the mounting screw holes (slip a close fitting drill in each hole and measure the distance between them and add one drill diameter)
- On the back what is the diameter of the thread (and number of teeth per inch AND the distance between the tops of threads - I suggest measuring ten threads and divide be ten)?
It would be nice if it was the Me109 case - it would appear to be a good chance
Typically many gauges found on the B-17 are similar to your photo though usually with visual differences - not all had captive nuts like this example which has only two screws to retain the internals and has a metal connector thread that is integral with the internals. This one, like many American gauges, was designed to fit a 2 1/4 hole in the panel.
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- Thread starter
- #45
safariman
Airman
Hi MiTasol and thanks again for your input much appreciated. I will do all the tests you suggest in the coming days - just been diagnosed with Covid and feel awful. Main reason for thinking it was a Luftwaffe one was the actual model number which is the same in the pictures of the German one. Is this a standard gauge mounts number??
MiTasol
1st Lieutenant
No it is not and therefore VERY strongly suggests it is the Me109 gauge, as does the integral thread. Essentially only need the data to eliminate B-17 instruments.
- Thread starter
- #47
safariman
Airman
I haven't done it one hundred percent accurately but the best I could and I know it should be pretty close - here is a picture with the details on
Let me know your thoughts
Found this article today online and this is really similar in every way and this was from Rudolf Hess's down plane in the UK
Rudolph Hess's Down plane
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- Thread starter
- #48
safariman
Airman
Been sitting going through the B-17 manuals I found online and think I have identified another possible part from a B-17. The part is 18cm in diameter but in terrible condition from it time spent under a hedgerow. I think I have identified this correctly as a Blade Gear Segment from the propeller section.
Any B-17 experts please let me know that I have identified this part correctly
Any B-17 experts please let me know that I have identified this part correctly
MiTasol
1st Lieutenant
that certainly looks like a Hamilton Standard 23E50 series gear segment to me.
MiTasol
1st Lieutenant
That 2.283" measurement rules it out as a US instrument as it will not fit in a 2.25" diameter hole.
The A and B in the top left corner of the third photo mean that, to me, you have correctly identified the unit as that Hess gauge has the same lettering and same screw hole pattern on the rear
Congratulations on a good find an excellent research.
- Thread starter
- #51
safariman
Airman
Thanks MiTasol thats great - be able to build a rusty B17 in the back garden in a few years - haha
And thanks on the mount research - its wonderful when you manage to identify an individual part from a bit of a old rusty metal and cast light on something that there is most often so little info about on the internet. Atleast now with people like yourself and these wonderful forums we are piecing together more info about all those wonderful men and women and what they went through. Hopefully future generations will appreciate it.
MiTasol
1st Lieutenant
Have a search of Udo Hafners site Luftfahrt-Archiv Hafner and you may even find a manual for that item.
Udo has spent 50+ years collecting manuals and his "pension" is from converting them to PDF and selling copies for a very reasonable fee.
Udo has spent 50+ years collecting manuals and his "pension" is from converting them to PDF and selling copies for a very reasonable fee.
- Thread starter
- #53
safariman
Airman
Hi Guy's
Sorry been quiet for a while but after the recent floods some more items have popped up.
Firstly Happy New Year (2024) to everyone.
Found this small item and would love to know what it is from on a B17?? Approx 3cm and the hole has a thread in it not clearly seen in the photo.
Was very lucky to also find this Flight Officers Shoulder Pin
Look forward to any info.
Sorry been quiet for a while but after the recent floods some more items have popped up.
Firstly Happy New Year (2024) to everyone.
Found this small item and would love to know what it is from on a B17?? Approx 3cm and the hole has a thread in it not clearly seen in the photo.
Was very lucky to also find this Flight Officers Shoulder Pin
Look forward to any info.
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- Thread starter
- #54
safariman
Airman
Another part found that I cannot find any info on - sure it's made of brass and has very clear letters N B on it. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
- Thread starter
- #55
safariman
Airman
Two other great finds from a B-17 are these. Also not a clue what they are but my thinking was parts for the flaps or something similar but maybe they are to small - the first one does have a number on it which is 1835. Any info will be greatly appreciated.
Definitely looks like an actuator of some sort.
- Thread starter
- #57
safariman
Airman
Wow thanks for that will look further
bse7entn
Airman
My initial guess would be possibly turret controller or computing gun sight for the upper or lower turrets. Very few areas of the B-17 would have precise machining like this.
- Thread starter
- #59
safariman
Airman
Wow thanks for this will look into that idea
bse7entn
Airman
This part is definitely the Hand Control Base Assembly for the Ball Turret.
I'm fairly positive this is the Elevation Drive Assembly, also part of the Ball Turret Hand Control.
I'm fairly positive this is the Elevation Drive Assembly, also part of the Ball Turret Hand Control.
