Need a little help identifying an aileron
Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:12 pm
Do any of y'all have any close up pictures of a Wildcat's ailerons? I have an aileron in my stuff that I've often wondered what it was, but after working on this Hellcat wing I have here (and thinking that is what it was for...which is isn't), I was wondering if perhaps it was for a Wildcat. There are no data plates on it, but it still retains the ink part number stamps on each rib (the fabric has been removed)....sorry, I don't have that part number in front of me right now. It also has a date still clearly stamped on it......something like February 1943...so the time frame would be right for a Wildcat.
But who knows? It's probably for an L-Bird or something, not that there's anything wrong with that.
My camera took a dump, so I'm unable to get y'all any decent pictures right now. But some help from y'all would be greatly appreciated!
Gary
But who knows? It's probably for an L-Bird or something, not that there's anything wrong with that.
My camera took a dump, so I'm unable to get y'all any decent pictures right now. But some help from y'all would be greatly appreciated!
Gary
Last edited by retroaviation on Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:22 pm
Somebody sent me this picture a couple of years back. These are from an F4F.
Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:26 pm
Well, shucks. That didn't take long. Thanks for the pictures, Brad, but they confirm that the aileron I have is NOT for a Wildcat. Dang it. 
I just took a picture of it with my crappy cell phone camera, and although you can't see the details, you can clearly see that the ribs aren't the same as in the pictures Brad posted (and the ones e-mailed to me...thanks).
The part number on the ribs is, W 1011-1, and the date on it is Feb. 26, 1943.
Gary
I just took a picture of it with my crappy cell phone camera, and although you can't see the details, you can clearly see that the ribs aren't the same as in the pictures Brad posted (and the ones e-mailed to me...thanks).
The part number on the ribs is, W 1011-1, and the date on it is Feb. 26, 1943.
Gary
Tue Mar 24, 2009 8:11 am
L-5 ?
I can see why you thought it might be one..
Tue Mar 24, 2009 9:28 am
retroaviation wrote:Well, shucks. That didn't take long. Thanks for the pictures, Brad, but they confirm that the aileron I have is NOT for a Wildcat. Dang it.
I just took a picture of it with my crappy cell phone camera, and although you can't see the details, you can clearly see that the ribs aren't the same as in the pictures Brad posted (and the ones e-mailed to me...thanks).
The part number on the ribs is, W 1011-1, and the date on it is Feb. 26, 1943.
Gary
Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:04 am
does resemble an L-5 aileron.
Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:10 am
I've got three L-5 wings out here (rough cores), so I'll go out to the barn and check it out. Thanks!
Gary
Gary
Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:24 am
L-5 ailerons have a little curve on the trailing edge out towards the end, don't they?
Could this be a flap rather than an aileron?
Could this be a flap rather than an aileron?
Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:29 am
Good point, Brandon. I'm walking out to the barn as soon as I hit the "Submit" button for this reply.
Gary
Gary
Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:36 am
Well, it's not for an L-5 (neither a flap or aileron). The spacing for the hinges is too far apart on the L-5.
Heck, maybe I'll just turn this thing into a book shelf or something.
Gary
Heck, maybe I'll just turn this thing into a book shelf or something.
Gary
Wed Mar 25, 2009 2:12 am
B-36 trim tab?
Wed Mar 25, 2009 2:38 am
Need a little help identifying an aileron
They're the flappy things on the wingtips to help the pilot spill the passenger's drinks. But that's not important right now.
Sorry.
Wed Mar 25, 2009 7:55 am
JDK wrote:Need a little help identifying an aileron
They're the flappy things on the wingtips to help the pilot spill the passenger's drinks. But that's not important right now.
Ugh. Stick to your day job, James. Now I gotta go watch "Airplane!"
Gary
Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:27 am
BT-13 ?
Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:34 am
Hey Gary,
it sort of resembles an aileron from a Fleet 16B Finch. I got to help refabric the ailerons of our museum's many years ago, and so that's what I think it is.... then again, maybe I'm just saying it because it's the only aileron I've seen n*ked.
Cheers,
David
it sort of resembles an aileron from a Fleet 16B Finch. I got to help refabric the ailerons of our museum's many years ago, and so that's what I think it is.... then again, maybe I'm just saying it because it's the only aileron I've seen n*ked.
Cheers,
David