USAAF B17 base - January 2012

[Greenhorn]

Hi, Steve T

Very nice finds! It must feel like hunting for treasure, very fun. How do you get the pieces so clean. I have a ground dug SS buckle I want to clean? Thanks for sharing your finds and information.

Green

[Paul B]

I've picked up a few of those disc things but have never found out what they are.
I have a nagging suspicion that they may be agricultural in origin....

PB

[381st digger]

I've picked up a few of those disc things but have never found out what they are.
I have a nagging suspicion that they may be agricultural in origin....

PB

They are coming out of the dump at my place so it's more likely they are airfield related.
Looks like we have a mystery item. 1st person with the correct answer wins a lolly pop.

Andy

[Steve T]

I am with 381st on this one PB. The one I found was 6 inches away from a spent 50cal, (the two signals merged as one and it was only after I recovered the 50 that I realised there were two signals), and at exactly the same depth. This would indicate that it was dropped at roughly the same time, given that the density of the two, and hence the 'sink rate', would be about the same. It feels too well machined to be anything other than related to the airbase.

Steve T

[Paul B]

Have you got a picture of the cowling hinge in situ on a cowl ?

Not exactly what you were after, but this image by Peter Green does show them attached to the cowl flaps...



PB

[Steve T]

Great stuff. Thanks PB

[cornishboy]

thats realy cool

[Panzer 3]

Hi Steve,
Great finds for your first dig of the year, i look forward to seeing more as the time goes on and good work on finding out about the cawling hinges.
dave,

[Paul B]

First set of, as yet, unidentified bits. Know what they are ? Let me know ! The bigger item has the letters AD embossed on it.

Attachment 287317

At last, I found the "mystery disc" in the Wright Cyclone service manual.



It's item No.12 in this drawing from the parts manual:



And the corresponding list:



All the best,
PB

[Steve T]

OH COOL !!!!

Thanks PB