Researching "Avenger" wing debris ID

[bruceman]

Hello everyone, After doing some research trying to ID a possible piece of wing wreckage that has come into my possession belonging to a WW2 Avenger, I have come to this site for help. I currently live (summers) on a small island on the coast of Maine. During the latter years of WW2, a TBF Avenger that was being ferried to a Maine airbase supposedly crashed just off shore in a snow squall. There was a lone pilot (from New Zealand) who was lost and no confirmation of wreckage nor witnesses were to be confirmed. A short rescue search turned up no results at the time. The confirmation of the exact crash site has never been discovered ! It appears that the "missing" pilot's family were only told of a probable crash. In any event, after the war, local fishermen went about their lobstering and scallop dragging work in the general area of the supposed crash. From time to time, a piece of the supposed wreckage was dredged-up accidentally in lines and some pieces were retained. A particularly large piece that appears to be a wing segment from the Avenger's folding wing was dragged up a beach beside my cottage where I have managed to get it up on my lawn and attempting to clean it up for further ID'ing ! I am posting here in an attempt to get any possible help in identifying this artifact for both historical and perhaps to relay this info the the pilot's family ! I am in the process of removing barnacles,seaweed, etc and measuring and doing a photo documentation of the piece. The segment is about 10 feet long with aluminum framing with rivets (appear to be stainless steel) and several "cut-outs" in the length (presumably access points to wing's interior)..... but, the "smoking gun" , I hope, is a heavy-duty joint knuckle where the wing folded-up (which is in pretty decent shape) ! Are there any readers out there who might be able to shed some light on ID'ing this wreckage? I will provide some detailed photos shortly. Most interested, I wait for help...... Sincerely, Bruce

 

[Bluehawk]

Count me in... I'll give it a shot.

Very interesting story.

 

[Matt308]

FlyboyJ is the Supreme Master of parts ID. He'll weigh in.

 

[pbfoot]

With the ident of the pilot being a Kiwi and the proximity to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia makes me wonder if it might be off a RN carrier or a guy on OTU in Shearwater

 

[FLYBOYJ]

I'll be on the road for the next day - if you could get photos, that would be a big help, especially if they include part numbers and any inspection stamps next to the part number. Also look for data plates.

 

[bruceman]

Hi Bluehawk, Thanks for the reply. I spent a couple of hours today romoving barnacles and other marine encrustations from the wing remnant. I will do some photos soon to send out to those who have volunteered assistance. One smaller section that I spent time cleaning with a dremel-tool with a soft brass wire attachment did a great job. The "rivets" appear to be stainless steel as they polish-up nicely ! I will send some photos along soon. Thanks again, Bruce