Old USAAF Dump finds, U.K.

[will1984]

Hello Folks

I have had the luck lately to have a good scan around an area that was once a huge dump site for a large American Air Depot within the U.K. Combing around the other day, I have found masses of fuselage sections. The photograph of this one attached, was covered in many years of dirt and has partially corroded in places. It appears to be a Bulkhead. It also had a fuel selector switch, the type that was used on P-47's during the war, in place, which makes me think it is definitely wartime. Can anyone shed light on what aircraft you think it may be from?, I am thinking B-17, as a lot where cut up at this station at the end of the war, but also a large majority of A-20's, B-26's and B-24's were also cut up here. I have attached two images of the section, front and back, and also another photograph of a large cast object, any ideas?







Hope you can help

Many thanks

Will

[station 342]

HI WILL,
The fuel selector your thinking of was used on a great deal of American aircraft , the face plate reading was supplied to suit the aircraft type.
Any part numbers to be seen on any of your finds ? it would help to I.D the aircraft type.

The casting looks to me B26 maruader , someone will be able to say if Iam right or wrong,.
I think most of us can tell you were your Base Air Depot is, I've a number of P47 parts that came from there and Iam always looking for more parts to complete my jigsaw P47 , Please let me know if you find any parts your willing to move on .
Best Regards Phil

[Dave Smith]

The casting is definitely from a Marauder. Main gear retraction 'thingie'. Not sure what the technical term is!

[Pat Carry]

Kool stuff. There was a thread here not to long ago about 8th AF dump sites being dug up. I love this stuff.

[will1984]

Hi Guys,

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply and help me with identification. I will keep a good eye out for P-47 parts. The Fuel selector switch, I placed it in the electrolysis tank to get rid of corrosion and it appears to be a simple, On, Neutral, Off Switch. The bulkhead in question, I have figured it out to be from the forward Bomb-Bay of a B-26, The location for the switch was located at the very top of the remains, in the small hole. Strange though as on the B-26 Pilot training film, it shows it being on the port side of the fwd bomb-bay. There are also remains of another instrument, long gone unfortunately.



I have also photographed a number of other fuselage sections that I have uncovered.


Any Ideas on the following piece? I have tried to look for manufacturer stamps on the stringers but haven't located any, there was a heat Treat Stamp and a parts number on a large section of fuselage on this piece which reads 8108216, the interior was painted black, the exterior most likely olive drab which has faded. There are also the remains of a perspex port, and an unknown instrument in situ. I was thinking maybe B-26 due to the interior black? but possibly B-24 due to the contour of the frame?.

[will1984]

The next piece appears to be stainless steel, but very light, I am thinking gun bay or landing gear compartment?, any ideas guys?








The next section appears to have flight control pulleys attached, a have a number of similar fuselage sections like this. It appears that some have either Flak or bullet holes, but they may be from a cutting torch also during salvage:

[Taigh Ramey]

The one part looks like B-24 nav area to me. The round opening is for the astrodome and the oval window is on the side of the nose. It looks like the remnants of the oval window may have a curve indicating the blown or bulged style of window for the navigator to be able to see out of better.

The antenna is cool as it looks like the remains of the removable ADF whip antenna. I have not been able to find any good shots or technical information of this. You can see the L shaped slots where it was inserted and rotated to lock it in place. Very cool.

I wonder if the black paint is actually Bronze Green or Dull Dark Green?

Please post more.

[will1984]

Wow, thanks Taigh, Yes definitely 100% B-24, the oval side window, the line of rivets adjacent to the window falls in line with closeup photographs of B-24's. I have took three photographs. one as if inside the aircraft looking up towards the astrodome. One facing side on, to the small oval window below. And a top down photograph of the section, as would be seen from above. The interior paint appears black, but it could be bronze green, though even in the light, it appears black.

many thanks

[will1984]

Closeup of the ADF Instrument

[hang the expense]

The casting is definitely from a Marauder. Main gear retraction 'thingie'. Not sure what the technical term is!

I believe the word you are looking for is trunion. But thingy is ok with me.

[Dave Smith]

Thanks, that sounds like the one I was searching for! You will have guessed that thingy is a Britism, or maybe it's common in the US as well. Wotsit is an alternative