Warbird Information Exchange

Well the golden rule has always been “if it looks old, it probably is!” but there are ways to artificially age things

Here are some things to keep in mind when examining these control caps:

Check for damage!

If the caps were actually used, there will often be some type of damage as a result of them being removed from the control yoke. This could be something as slight as a “chip” around the edges where a knife or screwdriver was used. Or as in the case with B-17/B-29 caps (which I have the most experience with, or course! ) you will find sometimes that the “locking lugs” (or what ever you wanna calm them) on the back of the cap will be cracked, or in some cases completely broken off.

Also another thing I’ve noticed is that sometimes you will find names, or even messages scratched into the back of the caps. I recall one cap that had a message scratched in it saying something to the effect of “Now you’ve let all the gremlins out!”

Another thing you can check for on these caps is the smell. They used a type of glue on these things (I assume when they attached them to the yokes) that has a very distinct smell to it, it’s rather foul actually! That is another sure sign of a cap that was actually used. You will also find the residue of this glue still intact on the back of the cap in many cases.

Also a heads up....control yokes are also being reproduced now! Be on the look out for B-17/B-29, B-25, P-61, and even Connie yokes that are repros. These are usually very easy to spot, as the quality on most of them it would seem is seriously lacking. These can be made to look very nice, but it will take some work. Jack’s Hack up at NEAM has a repro yoke in it, and it took some work to get it “presentable.” Haven’t heard anything about B-24 yokes, but I’m sure they will turn up eventually.

No that's not a B-29 cap, but I do have good news. Aside from saving a ton on my car insurance ( ) what you have there are actually B-17 caps! I double checked the P/N's and compared them to what I have in my own collection, and it's a match. Be sure to hang on to those, NOS caps still in the box are very hard to find.

Wow! Too cool! The guy that gave these to me about 15 years ago picked up a load of them at a Army Surplus place here in OK told me that they were for B-17s.... He has since given/sold the rest of them and we've lost touch. Now I wish I had picked up more! Thanks for the info!!!!!! Tailwinds, Steve.

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Civis Aerius Sum

I am a citizen of the Air

B-29 GUNNER!

You have answered one of my long standing questions!

A couple DO have a rather foul odor (the B-29 one in particular)!

I always wondered about that - and now I know.

Thanks!



Derek

Is that surplus store still in business? Would definitely be worth checking out, you might be surprised what you can still find in some of these places. Guy I deal with found a stash of B-29 seats at one of these places, that had been there hiding on the top shelves from atleast the mid '50s (of course I bought every single one they had )

Check into that store, I'll buy any B-29 parts you find

Keep in mind, a lot of these reproduction items are made for war bird owners to replace missing original parts. If I had a real B-17, I’d put repro caps in the wheels to keep original ones from being swiped. Just because something is reproduced, that in itself doesn’t mean it’s being made to be passed off as original! Think of all the people who make reproduction items for the re-enactor market. Would you say those folks are making things just to con people into thinking they’re real?

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

We installed repo caps in our B-17, the originals were taken. People who tour the plane still swipe switches on the radios and gun sights and anything else they can get thier hands on.

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Michael Luther
Yankee Air Museum's
Air Show Director
THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN

p-51 & micheal luther..... you make very good points. i didn't think of the opinion from the re-enacting / restoration view point. i feel much better!!

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

Does anyone know how authentic these B-17 control wheels are? What is the backside of the hub area like? Any pics or links?

Anyone?

Are you talking about the actual control wheel or the hub emblem?

control wheel (presumeably with the hub center included)