Mystery tire of American origin, WW II vintage

[Sigurjon]

I´m wondering if the forum can help me identify a tire that has been in the stores of the Icelandic Historical Aviation Society for many years without anyone having the slightest idea what it is.

The tire has the following markings on it:
Good Year
Made in Canada
GTR 12 (in a circle, possibly an inspector´s stamp)
87G8446N
SCT
6 PLY
18.00

Painted on the tire with fading white paint is the following:
RAF SUMBURGH
2.12.42
127A/HEY/22545

I´ve posted this over on the Flypast forum and the brains over there have not been able to identify the tire. However, they said 127A was RAF Stores Reference Number for American wheel equipment. A suggestion has been put forward that this might be a tailwheel from a Hudson, and I can see some similarities.

Here are some photos of the tire

[Russ Blow]

From the RAF stores section numbers listing. Maybe from a Dakota?

Anyone have a copy of AP 1086 book 11 General aircraft equipment


127A Wheel and brake equipment (Dakota) (except tyres and tubes which are referenced in section 27A) American general aircraft equipment other than M.O.A.P spares

27A Tyres and tubes, Wheel equipment, Dunlop, Goodyear and others General aircraft equipment

[Second Air Force]

It's not a nose tire for a Boston/A-20 is it?

Scott

[battle]

Yes it is A20 nose tire.

cheers dave

[Sigurjon]

A nose tire for an A-20? I´ll be damned!! How the he!! did that end up in Iceland? If I can ask, how do you come come to that conclusion?
To be absolutely honest, I would never, EVER, have had that idea!!

Just to add some info. As the tire is now, it is only 3 inches wide

Last edited by Sigurjon on Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Nathan]

It was that small?

[Hemiman]

Wonder what air pressure they were using??

[Brad]

I don't think that is an A-20 tire. According to the parts book it should be a 24" tire. Spec# 26547. The tube calls for a 26". As far as air pressure goes, the manual says:

"Inflate the nose wheel to 53 pounds per square inch. Where the runway is soft enough to leave a track, reduce teh above pressures by 7 pounds per square inch."

[m charters]

Doing a little bit of investigation with the help of the internet shows some possibilities.
RAF Sumburgh was on the Shetland Islands and had several different aircraft flying from them including the Bristol Beaufighter. Not having a manual to confimr any of this, but is it possible to be a Beaufighter tail wheel tire? Or possibly a Blenheim? Have the manual for that here somewhere, but to find it.
Thoughts?

[the330thbg]

Yes it is A20 nose tire.

cheers dave

Bueller?..., Bueller?..................., Bueller?

Crickets

It is a TINY tire. Show us a photo of THAT tire on an A-20.., otherwise.., I am calling BS!

[rwdfresno]

I have a hard time believing that is from an A-20. I think a tail wheel tire for a light to medium twin is most likely. It looks similar in size to the MK-II bomb cart but the hub area is too small I think.

Ryan

[Brad]

It isn't an A-20 tire. I posted the measurements, right out of the manual, yesterday. It's too small to be from an A-20.

[Mudge]

Quick...someone contact TIGHAR.

Mudge the helpful

[the330thbg]

it was found with a lipstick case and a nail file!!!

Amelia?

Your guess is as good as.., well...., TIGHAR?