Hiya,
I’m an archaeologist working on a collection of aircraft parts found in the harbour in front of a WWII RAAF base in Darwin and have come across a complete mystery piece. I have absolutely no idea what this is or what it’s from. The bracket has been broken or cut on one side, but otherwise it seems intact. I’m leaning towards some sort of fuel system component (?) and I’m thinking it’s from a PBY Cat (just has the feel of a Cat part), but I can’t find it or it’s numbers in any Cat manuals, or any other manuals to be honest. It’s got a few part numbers, including ASSY 80266, 80801 and 80156 and an inspection stamp with a “B” that looks like a Bendix stamp, but then again could be Boeing or any other B company. I’ve attached a few photos that hopefully show the important bits (scale is in 5 cm bars)
If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, I’d very much appreciate it!
Thank you,
Caroline.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]238113[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]238114[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]238115[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]238116[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]238117[/ATTACH]
By: Flying_Pencil - 11th June 2015 at 22:15
Hi Flying Pencil,
This came from just out the front of the RAAF “Flying Boat Base” in East Arm, just next to the Z Force base and Lugger Maintenance Section. A new barge ramp is being built and so we’ve done some dive recovery of objects before construction starts. It’s mostly aluminium alloy, with the bracket etc., being essentially cast with an aluminium sheet wrapped round it. Thank you for your suggestions re. Dornier and Shorts; I hadn’t looked into either (I’m obsessed with PBYs and get a bit blinded). I shall do that now. Thank you!
Could you give a Google Map link for location? Thanks.
By: CarolineW - 10th June 2015 at 08:34
Hiya flyingpencil; that’s an awesome image! 🙂
I’ve had a bit of a look to see if PBYs had Bendix turrets and I can’t find anything so far – the manuals I have for PBY4, 5 and 5a list the bow turret as being a Ryan Aeronautical Co. one. I’m starting to think this might not be Cat after all.
By: Flying_Pencil - 9th June 2015 at 18:55
Always worth wasting just a little more time on google:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bendix-Upper-Turret-Casting-B-25-Army-Air-Corps-8th-Air-Force-RARE-B-17-B-24-/251860250101?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aa40a6df5&nma=true&si=55Yvt3smastYCzdalr9cFcpuuhc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Awesome job with find, Ian!
Now, who has Bendix turret manual??
Search found this tantalizing image
[ATTACH=CONFIG]238147[/ATTACH]
from here:
I am guessing that roller is somewhat common to Bendix turrets.
Find out which on the PBY has, I think only the nose mount would be Bendix.
By: CarolineW - 9th June 2015 at 02:18
Always worth wasting just a little more time on google:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bendix-Upper-Turret-Casting-B-25-Army-Air-Corps-8th-Air-Force-RARE-B-17-B-24-/251860250101?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aa40a6df5&nma=true&si=55Yvt3smastYCzdalr9cFcpuuhc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
OH MY *******ING GOODNESS, IAN!!! THAT’S IT!!!
I cannot describe how happy you’ve made me – I’ve spent ages trying to figure this out and now you’ve solved it! That’s so wonderful!! And way more interesting. I’ve never seen an ammo feed like this.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!! 🙂
By: CarolineW - 9th June 2015 at 02:11
Hi ian,
I had no idea Bendix made gun turrets! No wonder I’ve been getting nowhere – I thought Bendix were mainly fuel and hydraulic bits and so that’s where I’ve been looking. I do like the sound of an ammunition feed; there were piles of .5 rounds in the area and we also pulled up four guns, including a .5 cal twin mount. I’ll take some measurements of it and get back to you. Thank you!
By: CarolineW - 9th June 2015 at 02:06
I thought you were angry at me, powerandpassion – definitely not the other way around!
By: CarolineW - 9th June 2015 at 02:05
Hi Whitley_Project,
Ah ok, that makes sense (damn it!) 🙂 I haven’t tried WIX yet; I shall look into it. Thank you!
By: CarolineW - 9th June 2015 at 02:00
Hi windhover, that’s it exactly! Thank you! I thought it looked different to the usual Boeing stamps but didn’t realise Bendix had that distinct type B. You wouldn’t happen to know what a “W.S.P.V” stamp would be?(!) I’ve found that on a few Cat wing parts & can’t solve it. Thanks again!
By: CarolineW - 9th June 2015 at 01:53
Hi Flying Pencil,
This came from just out the front of the RAAF “Flying Boat Base” in East Arm, just next to the Z Force base and Lugger Maintenance Section. A new barge ramp is being built and so we’ve done some dive recovery of objects before construction starts. It’s mostly aluminium alloy, with the bracket etc., being essentially cast with an aluminium sheet wrapped round it. Thank you for your suggestions re. Dornier and Shorts; I hadn’t looked into either (I’m obsessed with PBYs and get a bit blinded). I shall do that now. Thank you!
By: ian_ - 9th June 2015 at 00:20
Always worth wasting just a little more time on google:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bendix-Upper-Turret-Casting-B-25-Army-Air-Corps-8th-Air-Force-RARE-B-17-B-24-/251860250101?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aa40a6df5&nma=true&si=55Yvt3smastYCzdalr9cFcpuuhc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
By: ian_ - 8th June 2015 at 23:16
Bendix also made gun turrets. This has the look of ammunition feed. How does the length of the cone relate to the length of a .5 round? (approx 13cm)
By: powerandpassion - 8th June 2015 at 22:38
Looks like the Venturi inside the barrel of a carburettor, Bendix Stromberg. Can start looking through manuals if you forgive me!
By: Whitley_Project - 8th June 2015 at 21:10
Hi Caroline
Those part numbers will be Bendix ones, so you won’t find them in a Catalina parts catalogue i’m afraid. Have you tried over in WIX? I think they are your best bet for American items.
By: windhover - 8th June 2015 at 19:51
The Inspection stamp is definitely Bendix.
The “B” is distinctly “fat” with small upper lobe.
This stamp is usually found on Bendix fuel control components of Allison J-33 turbojet engines, but may appear on other Bendix products.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]238121[/ATTACH]
By: Flying_Pencil - 8th June 2015 at 18:07
Well, where did you find this in Darwin?
What are the materials?
Cast parts?
I believe a Do-24 was sunk in Darwin harbor, and they did operate out of Darwin.
Also Short’s aircraft too.
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June 8, 2015 at 4:44 pm