Does anyone know what markings were painted on the inside of the B-29 removable engine cowl panels? The panels that are infront of the cowl flaps.
I found the remains of one panel at a crash site of a B-29 and there are some faded unreadable large red letters as well as a black number 4 on the inside. I’m just interested in what the markings might have been.
Also, why did many SAC B-29’s have random black painted engine cowling panels? Sometimes the number 2 and number 4 engine would have black panels even though the whole aircraft was bare metal.
It seems to be too common for them to be panels that have been replaced using B-29’s with black undersides being the donor
Thanks,
Keith.
By: Arabella-Cox - 30th August 2011 at 23:18
Black panels
I can’t comment on the B-29 internal paint but quite often, with bare-metal aircraft, the area of the cowl facing the fuselage was matt black to prevent sun reflection – much like the anti-glare panel on the upper fuselage ahead of the cockpits of many types – especially single-engined fighters, with their flatter noses.
Anon.
By: Arabella-Cox - 30th August 2011 at 23:18
Black panels
I can’t comment on the B-29 internal paint but quite often, with bare-metal aircraft, the area of the cowl facing the fuselage was matt black to prevent sun reflection – much like the anti-glare panel on the upper fuselage ahead of the cockpits of many types – especially single-engined fighters, with their flatter noses.
Anon.
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August 30, 2011 at 10:56 pm