Looking for some answers regarding some parts found at the crash site of USAF SAC B-50D 49-0270 which came down shortly after take-off from RAF Bassingbourn in February 1951.
Firstly, found on two different visits are the four pieces that make up a circular shape item with black painted grooves on the outside, and painted a brown colour on the inside (diameter approx 6″). What could it be?
Secondly, what does SUR LOCK stand for on the control lever knob as pictured?
Thirdly, what kind of control / lever would the strange shape metal top shown be part of?
Lastly, we found a padlock in the field in the same area as the cockpit items – made in the USA by a company called SARGENT, and we were wondering for what exactly would one be used for on a nuclear bomber on a training flight in the UK? It has the remains of something still attached to the lock bar.
Any thoughts?
Rob
By: Wyvernfan - 17th June 2019 at 10:22
I’d love to see a photo of one in position if anyone can help?!
By: Wyvernfan - 17th June 2019 at 07:12
Thanks Mike, that makes sense.
By: mikeeepannell - 17th June 2019 at 03:31
A couple of clips / brackets of some sort as found, showing both sides. Any ideas?
Rob
Glazing clip
By: Wyvernfan - 15th June 2019 at 21:02
Thanks for the reply Ian. I see your point.
I originally dismissed it as having a connection to aviation and came close to finding it a new home in the hedgerow.
By: ian_ - 15th June 2019 at 19:29
It’s certainly the same shape as a parachute clip, but doesn’t look as well made, being a twisted pressing rather than casting or forging. Probably for holding down equipment.
By: Wyvernfan - 12th March 2017 at 14:43
An item that was a little easier to identify from a couple of weeks back.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]251882[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]251883[/ATTACH]
Rob
By: Wyvernfan - 20th February 2017 at 12:00
A few more unidentified objects from the site. First up is probably from an instrument I would guess but I can’t place it on cockpit or crew station photos
[ATTACH=CONFIG]251455[/ATTACH]
Next up is very intriguing as at first look it seems to be a modern lid of some sort, but it’s marked ‘PROPERTY OF US ARMY AIR FORCES’ and was made by the ROCHESTER MFG CO. INC. ROCHESTER. NY. Any ideas?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]251456[/ATTACH]
A piece of cast alloy with two white rectangular markings that appear to say ‘M I A’ with an arrow pointing in different directions. Any ideas please?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]251457[/ATTACH]
Rob
By: Wyvernfan - 29th January 2017 at 16:15
I have the accident report somewhere although not to hand, but yes I think you’re right.
Rob
By: Flat 12x2 - 29th January 2017 at 12:34
Well spotted, Mike. Pretty sure its from the same crash and may of been one left over inside the aircraft from a previous mission. Also interesting is the fact that I’ve found far more cases than heads, but all except the one shown are in a pretty bad state!
Rob
It could have been a gunnery training mission ?
By: Wyvernfan - 27th January 2017 at 18:39
[ATTACH=CONFIG]250966[/ATTACH]
Marked as Weston part no 112638 AN 5525-1, can any engine experts out there confirm or otherwise that this is part of a spark plug from one of the PW R-4360 engines? Thanks.
Rob
By: Wyvernfan - 12th January 2017 at 09:14
[ATTACH=CONFIG]250642[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]250643[/ATTACH]
Shown here is one of two spec / data plates found, both surprisingly are from the same manufacturer ‘AIRESEARCH’ of Los Angeles and contain approximately the same information for a LINEAR ACTUATOR.
Bit of a long shot but by going by the information they contain I’d like to know what was the use of the equipment they are from, i.e flying controls, undercarriage, flaps etc?
Rob
By: Wyvernfan - 9th January 2017 at 06:53
Well spotted, Mike. Pretty sure its from the same crash and may of been one left over inside the aircraft from a previous mission. Also interesting is the fact that I’ve found far more cases than heads, but all except the one shown are in a pretty bad state!
Rob
By: Versuch - 8th January 2017 at 22:28
Rob that cartridge has been fired, not just “Cooked Off”, could it be from an earlier time?
Regards Mike
By: Wyvernfan - 8th January 2017 at 15:35
[ATTACH=CONFIG]250491[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]250492[/ATTACH]
Beginning to think that this is part of a hinge from one of the nose wheel doors. Any thoughts?
Rob
Well after a trip to the IWM today to look at the B-29 there, I realised that both my part and the nose wheel hinges on there aircraft have part numbers starting 6-1, and although there are differences in the design probably to be expected between the two types I’m convinced that this is a nose wheel door hinge, snapped off when the bomber hit the ground forcing the nose gear down.
## EDIT.. ok having studied several pictures I now need to throw bomb door hinge into the equation as a possibility as well. ##
Rob
By: Wyvernfan - 7th January 2017 at 15:41
[ATTACH=CONFIG]250548[/ATTACH]
Part of a fairly large metal ‘pulley’ wheel with a groove round the outside. I’ve found part of Bakelite pulleys before but would metal just be used for flying surface cables or for general use?
Rob
By: Wyvernfan - 7th January 2017 at 15:37
[ATTACH=CONFIG]250547[/ATTACH]
An item that at first I thought was originally a four winged nut or screw, but it appears to have no thread inside. Any ideas as to its use?
Rob
By: Wyvernfan - 7th January 2017 at 15:34
[ATTACH=CONFIG]250546[/ATTACH]
Two pieces of metal bolted together, but sandwiched between them is a metal strip / canvass material combination. All I could think of was maybe that it came from a seat – any other ideas welcome?!
Rob
By: Maple 01 - 5th January 2017 at 22:23
Thanks, from what little I know it may be dated 1945 – Remington, kind of fits but not definite
By: Wyvernfan - 5th January 2017 at 21:20
[ATTACH=CONFIG]250504[/ATTACH]
Sorry not a great photo.
Rob
By: Maple 01 - 5th January 2017 at 21:00
could be
Remington Arms Company, Inc., Bridgeport CT , and later: Lonoke, AR (only encountered on 12.7x99mm aluminum cases)
http://www.cartridgecollectors.org/headstampcodes?page=headstampcodes#Unconfirmed
Sign In
August 25, 2014 at 2:45 pm