Some nice US 8th Airforce finds 30/1/11

**Paul B** · 07-14-2011, 10:02 PM

WWII US bomb fuse well pocket cover nuts come in two sizes, 1¾" across the flats for the small ones and 2¼" across the flats for the large ones.
This wrench seems to be 3".

It's not one of the special tools illustrated in the B-17 E&M Manual either I'm afraid.

All the best,
PB

**381st digger** · 07-14-2011, 10:07 PM

by Paul B

WWII US bomb fuse well pocket cover nuts come in two sizes, 1¾" across the flats for the small ones and 2¼" across the flats for the large ones.
This wrench seems to be 3".

It's not one of the special tools illustrated in the B-17 E&M Manual either I'm afraid.

All the best,
PB

Looking like its just a spanner then.

**Paul B** · 07-14-2011, 10:10 PM

Have a close look along the flat of the thing, US-issued ones were normally stamped with a part number or similar which should be trackable through the SNLs.
Even with the corrosion you might be able to find a trace... maybe.

**381st digger** · 07-14-2011, 10:14 PM

I will give it a clean up tomorrow and have a look. Its so large it must have a special job.

Andy

**381st digger** · 07-16-2011, 08:49 PM

Gave it a quick going over but cant see anything

Iv given the lock a good going over and painted it. Before anyone says it i know it should be green but blacks good enough for now.

P.S.
I would like to know what people think about doing "relic" items up like this.
eg do you think they are better left in as found condition or are they better done up???
Thanks Andy

**davejb** · 07-16-2011, 09:31 PM

At the end of the day Andy these items become part of your collection, its a personal preference, your the one that has to live with them so why not, i suppose the purists would condemn it but why not display how they once looked or at least the closest you can get, plus by adding a protective covering of any sorts they will outlive most of us

**Steve T** · 07-16-2011, 10:00 PM

It's your call on what to do with them Andy. I personally like what you've done and would probably do something similar with such a relic. Good job in my opinion

Steve T

**ian_** · 07-17-2011, 04:16 AM

Good work Andy. If you leave the corrosion it will continue to eat away at the surface. If you seal out the oxygen it can't. It's not as if you've lost original paintwork. Very nice control lock as well.