What type of aircraft could this be please?

[Vieuxtruc]

Dear enthousiasts,this is my first contribution with a question richt away:I found this piece in the Belgian Ardennes,what type of aircraft could this be please?Thank you in advance for your time.

 

[Capt. Vick]

Total guess Fiat 55

 

[smutny]

With the use of Dzus fasteners, it's probably not an Axis aircraft. The cross looks to be painted on the interior side.

Also not sure if floating nutplates were used in Axis aircraft either.

 

[Vieuxtruc]

With the use of dzus fasteners, it's probably not an Axis aircraft. The cross looks to be painted on the interior side.

Dear Sir, I was also afraid that the "outside" is actually the inside, thanks for your answer regards.

 

[cammerjeff]

It looks British to my eyes, I agree the German cross is painted on the inside of the panel. Hurricane or Blenheim maybe?

 

[smutny]

This is how I'd initially orientate the piece in my search, comparing it to photographs of aircraft from the internet.

I'd start with...
British aircraft based on the green/brown camouflage.
Twin engine radials based on the short length and that the 45L could mean 45 liters and most likely of oil.
Consider the lower fairing attach point could be for an oil cooler fairing.
Look at the wing/engine nacelle join for a common panel.

Failing that, look at the tailplane/fuselage join for a common panel.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

It looks a bit like a wing-root trailing edge fairing into the fuselage to me. Can't tell the type, though.

 

[Maximus_823]

Maybe a hurricane

Could also be a spitfire

 

[smutny]

Upon further thought, *if* the 45L is referring to liters, then it's probably not British as they were using Imperial Gallons at the time.

 

[buffnut453]

Unless it's the remains of a. Belgian airframe. Belgium operated both Hurricanes and Battles….but dunno if they converted the instruments etc to metric.

 

[Maximus_823]

Could be an HE-111 variant. Has similar color scheme and has a widened cross

 

[gillescollaveri]

I first though of Henschel 123 or 126.
But it looks very strange to me..

• I see zinc chromate paint under the "German green",
• the spray inside seems very new,
• the "45 L" looks freshly painted whereas the part seems old, and the typo looks rather English or American,
• it seems that there are very old layers of grey paint appearing under the surface paint
• is the balkenkreuz as per the RLM standard ?

I would almost inclined to say it is fake, but finally, I would rather bet for a genuine old part that has been repainted.
I look forward to having the truth on that one.
Gilles

 

[Vieuxtruc]

With the use of Dzus fasteners, it's probably not an Axis aircraft. The cross looks to be painted on the interior side.

Also not sure if floating nutplates were used in Axis aircraft either.

Dear Sir, thank you for your contribution regards.

 

[Vieuxtruc]

This is how I'd initially orientate the piece in my search, comparing it to photographs of aircraft from the internet.

I'd start with...
British aircraft based on the green/brown camouflage.
Twin engine radials based on the short length and that the 45L could mean 45 liters and most likely of oil.
Consider the lower fairing attach point could be for an oil cooler fairing.
Look at the wing/engine nacelle join for a common panel.

Failing that, look at the tailplane/fuselage join for a common panel.

Dear Sir, thank you for your contribution regards.

 

[pb43]

Dear enthousiasts,this is my first contribution with a question richt away:I found this piece in the Belgian Ardennes,what type of aircraft could this be please?Thank you in advance for your time.

The Dzus fasteners and floating nut-plates point to 1940s-early 50s. The 45L would be the panel number (as listed on the panel diagram), but this would probably not be British as they tended not to do this. The German cross is a complete red herring, unless it is salvage from a crashed German aircraft used to manufacture a new panel (unlikely but possible). The rivet dimples point to quite thin metal 22 SWG or thinner. The shape and curves point to a wing fairing.

Points to something like a T-6 / Harvard

 

[Vieuxtruc]

The Dzus fasteners and floating nut-plates point to 1940s-early 50s. The 45L would be the panel number (as listed on the panel diagram), but this would probably not be British as they tended not to do this. The German cross is a complete red herring, unless it is salvage from a crashed German aircraft used to manufacture a new panel (unlikely but possible). The rivet dimples point to quite thin metal 22 SWG or thinner. The shape and curves point to a wing fairing.

Points to something like a T-6 / Harvard

Dear Sir, thank you for your contribution.

 

[Vieuxtruc]

I first though of Henschel 123 or 126.
But it looks very strange to me..

• I see zinc chromate paint under the "German green",
• the spray inside seems very new,
• the "45 L" looks freshly painted whereas the part seems old, and the typo looks rather English or American,
• it seems that there are very old layers of grey paint appearing under the surface paint
• is the balkenkreuz as per the RLM standard ?

I would almost inclined to say it is fake, but finally, I would rather bet for a genuine old part that has been repainted.
I look forward to having the truth on that one.
Gilles

Dear, thank you for your contribution, I had my doubts from the beginning when I found it despite the fact that the paint is quite old.

 

[OldGeezer]

"45L" might not be Liters, it could be Left, as in left-hand side. Maybe there was a panel 45R to match it, on whatever it turns out to be. That's absolutely the full extent of anything I might know!

 

[Vieuxtruc]

"45L" might not be Liters, it could be Left, as in left-hand side. Maybe there was a panel 45R to match it, on whatever it turns out to be. That's absolutely the full extent of anything I might know!

Dear Sir, thank you for your contribution.

 

[Vieuxtruc]

It looks British to my eyes, I agree the German cross is painted on the inside of the panel. Hurricane or Blenheim maybe?

Dear Sir, thank you for your contribution.