Large Hatch Help

Baz I returned it yesterday so I cannot confirm absoloutely – but the two screws were countersunk slot head – but covered in thick paint so no detail visible.

The flush fitting – low drag did not match with the thick irregular paint and the hole for pulling it open. There were also several finger prints and brush strokes in the outer paint so not sprayed and handled too soon.

Forgot to say yesterday – if not an Aircraft hatch – why bother with countersunk/flush fasteners ? Usually flush fasteners would either be for a low drag application or so there are no projections to catch clothing etc on.
One little question Brian – what type of countersunk bolt is the angle/bracket assembled to the hatch with ? although I cannot see clearly they look a little like the older type of Hi-torque c/sk head that you needed a flat bladed screwdriver with a curved/rounded end to fit into the curved slot (cannot remember the part numbers LOL).
I agree that the catch is odd as well.

rgds baz

Thanks Baz

I was going to say the same as Pogno – the only thing that really looks aviation about the panel is the triple centre punch locking/peening for the 2 nuts – but the joggled angle/bracket does look a little home made.The Fork End attached to that angle/bracket does look Aircraft though – as you say Brian definitely does not look like an Aircraft external panel – but cheap looking ‘piano hinge’ type hinges were still being used on Aircraft certainly up to the Hunter era.

rgds baz

Thanks to all.

I have just spoken to the chap I got it from and he will take it back as it is not B17. Very helpful!

I have no idea as to where it came from but I am sure it has seen some alterations during its life, the main panel is obviously well made and from something production built being that it has a pressed inner skin, but the steel hinge would look more at home on someones front door and the bolted on alloy bracket has seen some care being nicely joggled to step it over the hinge only to be bolted down over a rivet tail doh.
But that said whoever did it wanted it to stay together or it was important because they nicely staked the bolt ends with a punch to stop the nuts coming off!

Richard

I have a Lancaster lower wing hydraulic access hatch that definitely looks like a loo seat.

Toilet lid?? Just a thought……I’ll get my coat then…….

Nicko thank you for replying. I have been spending several hours on this.

Even the early helicopters had some securing clips on panels to prevent opening from vibration.

The issue I have with internal panel is that the paint on the upper surface is dark green (with a silver edge) that suggests outer surface. It is also rather large – I have some Lancaster access hatches and they are a lot smaller.

The more i look at it the more I feel it is more likely to be from a British army vehicle – more akin to Jones the Butchers (Dads Army) fighting vehicle than B17.

Maybe it is an ‘internal’ hatch, such as one that goes in the floor of a bomber, so that crew have hand and/or visual access to bomb bay during flight. I don’t think that is a fitting for a retaining chain as the panel is attached with a hinge, but it may well be a stay that holds the panel open – the end of the stay has a little ball that goes in a little bracket on the side of the cut-out in the cabin floor.