P-51 Mustang airframe panel manufacture

[Deleted member 68059]

Does anyone have photos or any articles or documents which show any of the machinery/processes north american aviation used to produce the Mustang airframe outer skin panels ?

I`ve got a few photos of the airframes being assembled, but not any of the panels being stamped/cut/formed ?

 

[elbmc1969]

I'm not familiar with this book, but if it doesn't hold answers, I doubt anything does ...

Amazon product ASIN 1580071902

 

[ThomasP]

Hey Snowygrouch,

From WWII U.S. Office of War Information photos, currently held by the National Archives, available through the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Online Catalog.

I do not know if you are familiar with the drop hammer, but it is basically a kinetic energy hammer, used either for forging or pressing/stamping or sometimes both at the same time.

I do not know if these parts are P-51? B-25? neither?

 

[Deleted member 68059]

I'm not familiar with this book, but if it doesn't hold answers, I doubt anything does ...

Amazon product ASIN 1580071902

Thanks I dont have that, so I`ll check it out.

 

[cvairwerks]

Most of the curved section skins with high structural loads were formed with a stretcher press. Lightly loaded ones, such as fairings and cowling sections were formed with drop hammers and english wheels.

For those that have never seen the stretch forming process, here's a 4 minute video form a shop forming a curved skin section.


And here's one stretch forming a large aluminum extrusion:

 

[kiwi2wheels]

It could be worthwhile contacting this company.

P51 Type Certificate & Production Approval | Call Now!

Info & Documents | Cal Pacific Airmotive Inc.

 

[Skyediamonds]

elbmc,
Your posting of PDF file showed up nothing. I could not open it. Sorry