Keith got around to trying to remove the black today. Used some gentry stripper and the black flaked away – There was no number under the paint on the one I cleaned. The back brackets were the original green under the black confirming the overpaint.

For completeness two links

1, to some pics of the Il2 in Beijing.
http://warbirdinformationexchange.or…hp?f=3&t=13053

2. to the Tu ANT-40 SB at Molino.
http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/yu…100_katyushka/

This image also perfectly matches the rivets etc.

http://data3.primeportal.net/hangar/…a_37_of_65.jpg

Just a thought – as the Anson was Cheetah engined ( and cowled) so was the Oxford and Envoy etc. The Oxford was 10…. The Envoy would be 6…..

Although there are no letters in this Oxford part number.

Ant – I have been up and down most of the lend lease aircraft and it does not fit.

I agree that most of the Russian aircraft were either robust construction or wood.

It is most likely fuselage – rather than wing or tail.

The early Il2 was a metal tail and there is a stripped back one in Beijing that shows it is not one of them.

Working through theVVS inventory I found one that matches perfectly on the outside – rivets. strips of aluminum etc.

There are few image of its inside but I have found two images that show this construction… An innovative structure with flared holed ribs …

in conclusion I think it is a Tupelov SB.

Thanks Mike