Data Case 36G2873 - made of wood

[kbeatty48]

I have a wooden data case 362873 that is made of wood. In my research, all I have found are metal data cases. Were any original cases made of wood?

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[Obergrafeter]

L- bird, maybe an L-5? One in my L-6 was wood.

[Dan Jones]

I've got one made out of a waxed cardboard type material, and assembled with staples. I'll shoot a pic tomorrow.

[N77657]

I have one made of phenolic which is stapled together.

[Taylor Stevenson]

I have seen them made of painted aluminum, bare aluminum, painted wood, natural wood, stapled phenolic, formed phenolic, stapled hardboard, stapled "cardboard"... with cloth hinges, leather hinges, two metal hinges, metal strip hinges... with flip latches, sliding latches, lift-a-dot latches, no latches... While a lot of the data cases were aluminum, I'd say that the majority were wood or some other less strategic material. These data cases truly epitomize the optimization of strategic materials that was so prevalent during World War II... If aluminum was needed elsewhere, they used wood... If wood was needed elsewhere they used phenolic... etc. They all have the same part number which just gives general dimension restrictions to adhere to, but other than that, the materials used varies drastically. These were used in a lot of L-birds, trainers, fighters (I believe I have seen them), and others... They are getting somewhat rare because they are pretty fragile and I'm sure a lot of civvy owners tossed them. Below is the majority of my collection. I have another, different aluminum one. The black case is 1958 probably out of a Birddog or something of that vintage.

[kbeatty48]

WOW! Many thanks to Obergrafeter, Dan Jones, N77657, and Taylor Stevenson for responding to my message! This has been very helpful.

Karen Beatty

[Dan Jones]

Cardboard, some metal in the top piece of the lid, and staples.

[Taylor Stevenson]

Dan, did they use this case in Stearmans? The 'A's are interesting in the lettering... They are a bit taller than the others. I have seen these cases spray stenciled, brush stenciled, and stencil stamped. A buddy of mine is putting this exact style cardboard case in his new L-5 restoration... it'll look great!

I've seen them mod-ed to the front doors of L-5s in some wartime photos (normally on rear door or litter deck) and I always thought that it'd be a good place to hide a modern com and xponder...

[Dan Jones]

Hi Taylor,

They did use that case in the Stearman (mounted to the inside of the baggage door) but whether or not the cardboard ones were used I don't know. My project's still to be rebuilt door has the imprint of a case in the paint and the screw holes line up perfectly. This one I found seven or eight years ago on Ebay so what it came out of originally I have no idea. The "A's" are different but near as I can tell the lettering is all original. Nice collection by the way. If you want a cardboard one I'll trade it for one of those green metal originals that you have two of.

Dan

[shrike]

Could someone please post measurements of a wooden data case?
I need to build one, although looking at the attached photo of what I really need;

I'm starting to think it may actually be a commercial clipboard holder.
Any thoughts?

[Taylor Stevenson]

Shrike,

That is not what is considered a "Data Case" that is a Type A-2 "Flight Report Holder". They are typically left bare wood and have "Airplane Flight Reports" painted on them (solid lettering, never seen a stenciled one). I have seen them also have a rubber stamped "Type A-2" in roughly 3/8" lettering. There is a metal flip or strap on the top left corner to hold the Form 1A in place during flight. I have a reproduction in my L-5 which can be seen in this photo from 2009:



I have an original, which looks nearly identical with the only difference being the rubber stamped "Type A-2" and a slightly darker wood color (likely due to its age). I can make measurements for you if you need it... Hope this helps...

[Taylor Stevenson]

Also, according to the Stinson L-5 Sentinel -4, the part number for the Type A-2 Flight Report Holder is 0161366 and is considered GFE, so the p/n should be universal... should be

T

[shrike]

That helps immeasurably. OK, actually measuring it would help immeasurably, but.......

If you could measure it and/or shoot some pictures I would appreciate it.

Thanks