WW2 Cowling Section Help ID

[konig]

Hi All,

I recently found this and it appears to be a spitfire cowling section. My current hypothesis is that it belongs the the section near the windscreen. I'm not 100% sure however. Can anyone provide me with some information re the quick-detach fasteners pictured in the photo? Were they used on any other aircraft or exclusively British manufactured types. This piece also had about 5-6 bullet holes in it.





Thanks guys

Last edited by konig on Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:57 am, edited 1 time in total.

[51fixer]

Hi All,

I recently found this and it appears to be a spitfire cowling section. My current hypothesis is that it belongs the the section near the windscreen. I'm not 100% sure however. Can anyone provide me with some information re the quick-detach fasteners pictured in the photo? Were they used on any other aircraft or exclusively British manufactured types. This piece also had about 5-6 bullet holes in it.





Thanks guys

The fasteners are pretty widely used by aircraft makers all over the world.
They are called a nutplate and come in many different sizes and styles.
The holes shown in the lower pic look like attachment holes that were drilled or punched in the metal.
Bullet holes are usually a little bit jagged and usually have some form of disruption of the base metal a bit like a volcano.
A complete photo of both sides, material, dimensions and any numbers that might be stamped on it will help identify it. Even a location in the world would be a plus.

[konig]

Hi there,

Thanks for that information. I have posted another photo below. After some searching it now appears to look like the rear part of a B-17 cowling. (See Red Squares) The pattern seems to match. Also bullet holes can be seen in this photo.

Thanks

[konig]

Sorry the piece is about 24" by 24" approx. It also has traces of yellow primer paint on one side.

Thanks

[carlisle1926]

If those are bullet holes that you have circled, they probably aren't from combat. They look to be fired into the metal from a perfectly perpendicular angle. The caliber is also fairly small. It looks to me as if someone shot it for fun with a pistol.

[konig]

HI there,

Your probably right. Bullet holes aside what do you think this is off. The right hand edge of the piece has two distinctive curves much like that of the rear end of a B-17 cowling.... right near the engine mount and nacelle. See Photo. These don't appear to have rivets on them and look to be one single piece. Earlier B-17's like the C model, have plates that are riveted. Even if this proves not to be from a B-17 it certainly has to be something related to a cowling.