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- #21
I am gathering information.
- Thread starter kamioka
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cvairwerks
Staff Sergeant
Left item is part of a shell casing, middle item is the backshell and part of an electrical connector body and the right item is possibly the handle from a valve.
Very interesting. Is it possible that the MACR and later investigation never knew about this B-29 crash location, even after the War? Was the crash information and any record of
crew found or buried ever corelated after the War?
Eng
special ed
1st Lieutenant
- 6,573
- May 13, 2018
The shell casing appears to be .45 automatic for the Colt model 1911 and the head stamp seems to be S,L,4 which would be the Salt Lake arsenal, 1944 manufacture.
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- #29
As far as I know, the US military came to this area. However, after the war, it became a wasteland. So we regularly carry out cleanup activities. We also set up signs to convey the history. After visiting the area, we play TAPS. (Translated from Japan)
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
The middle object shown in post #25 is called a "cannon connector" manufactured by ITT Cannon and the Amphenol Corporation.
Virtually all wiring aboard U.S. aircraft used these connectors during that time period.
Virtually all wiring aboard U.S. aircraft used these connectors during that time period.
It seems long for a .45 round case.
I think it is a remnant of a .50 round from Saint Louis Ordnance plant that effectively produced cartridges in this caliber.
Salt Lake rounds were stamped U or UT.
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
Agreed.
That is a damaged .50 MG shell casing.
It's size when compared to the Cannon plug (wiring connector, center) and valve handle (round object, right) provides scale.
Of note: Unless I am mistaken, the .5" shell case shows a firing-pin indent on the primer cap. So, I would suggest that the aircraft may have encountered fighters.
Anyone know if the B-29's on raids at that time did live gun-tests en-route?
Eng
cvairwerks
Staff Sergeant
Live fire checks would have been done as an aircraft entered a safe to fire area, soon after launch. No one would have wanted to get into an area where there was potential for an enemy encounter and not know if the guns would fire.
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Yes, that was a procedure that was used by some fighting aircraft, probably to boost crew moral. However, I just wondered if the B-29 had matured enough to not waste time and ammunition on such "checks".
Eng
cvairwerks
Staff Sergeant
A quick test fire of all guns was standard procedure until after VietNam.
EAIAnalog
Airman
Reference: Gunners Standing Operating Procedures for the B-29 & B-50 Superfortress, August 1948 SAC Manual 50-126-7
According to the Reference, every gunner position had a checklist covering: Before Take-Off, After Take-Off, In-the-Air RCT checks, etc. In the In-the-Air RCT checks, each gunner runs through several checks to make sure that his gunsight-turret system is functioning correctly. Here's the last line in that section:
(7) Turn GUN SWITCH to FIRE (COMBAT position on newer systems). AIMING THE GUNS AWAY FROM YOUR OWN SHIP AND OTHERS IN THE FORMATION, fire 4 test rounds.
Note: The upper guns eject shell casing and links into the bottom of their mounting wells. The lower guns eject shell casing and links overboard. You can see this on some films that show the lower rear gun firing. The reason I mention this is: if this is a B-29 crash where the upper guns were fired at incoming aircraft, there may be more shell casings in the vicinity of where that single casing was found.
According to the Reference, every gunner position had a checklist covering: Before Take-Off, After Take-Off, In-the-Air RCT checks, etc. In the In-the-Air RCT checks, each gunner runs through several checks to make sure that his gunsight-turret system is functioning correctly. Here's the last line in that section:
(7) Turn GUN SWITCH to FIRE (COMBAT position on newer systems). AIMING THE GUNS AWAY FROM YOUR OWN SHIP AND OTHERS IN THE FORMATION, fire 4 test rounds.
Note: The upper guns eject shell casing and links into the bottom of their mounting wells. The lower guns eject shell casing and links overboard. You can see this on some films that show the lower rear gun firing. The reason I mention this is: if this is a B-29 crash where the upper guns were fired at incoming aircraft, there may be more shell casings in the vicinity of where that single casing was found.
