Unknown American twin-engined aircraft?

Kurtl · 06-08-2007, 05:04 PM

Please help me to identiy this great part! I just found it today in our local woods in Austria. Area is SW of St.Pölten (WSW Vienna).

Some numbers were found on this part: "222836R", "(R170)", "222374-6", "(R129)", "3122" (painted in black letters, as well as: "T AN A").

The people who owns that part of the wood told me that the plane crashed when there was snow. I believe it was winter 1943/44 or 1944/45. Sure that is a long period, but maybe someone can help? Would like to identify this aircraft and crew. There was another hint they gave me: Two men bailed out just before the crash. One broke his leg. One had a ribbon around his chest with german letters on it: "ROTER HUND" which means "RED DOG". The crew called him like that because of his red hair. Maybe that helps for identification?

Attached you find some pictures. The wood contains some more parts. Will try to get some more interesing to post here. Thanks for any help!

Kind regards from Austria,

Kurtl

102first_hussars · 06-08-2007, 05:26 PM

That doesnt really help me find out what kind of plane that was

FLYBOYJ · 06-08-2007, 05:50 PM

The part number sequence may be to a Douglas A-20 Havoc or Boston. The 222836R may be an assembly with the "R" signifying right and the 222374-6 signifying a component on the right side. I am guessing on this to a point.

Are there any stamps or unique symbols on the part? Here is an example of Douglas inspection stamp.

Hope this helps...

Kurtl · 06-09-2007, 04:02 PM

Thanks for that help! Think the plane only had two crewmembers.

I have not found any unique stamps like this but will keep looking. Will check about Havoc and Boston too.

I was again at the crashplace today. Please look at the new pictures. There is a huge part of an engine. On it I found some plagues. Unfortunatel unable to read. It was something like "1165" but that is just a part of the number. The part was too deep in the dirt and too heavy to put away.

Kurtl

FLYBOYJ · 06-09-2007, 05:44 PM

Thats a turbo charger and plumbing - P-38? Again guessing. The only 2 man US twin I could think of is a P-38 "Droop Snoot."

Kurtl · 06-10-2007, 03:29 AM

Yeah, and the 15th USAAF had such "Droop Snoots". Wonder who got it down.
I made some pictures from the other parts I found yesterday. The one looks like a part from the elevator. The bullet shells show "W" "T" and "4" at the bottom. On the yellow part (think it is something from the hydraulic) I found some stampings: "PTS" and"AR" or "A2".

Checked some books with pictures about a P38. I'm sure now.

Kurtl

net_sailor · 06-10-2007, 04:39 AM

Hey, Kurtl!
Go to the our technical section and download the free pilot manual for P-38:
http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/oth...nual-4878.html (P-38 Flight Manual)
The last part, you called "sth. hydraulic" is an aileron valve (see pilots manual p.15).
The "V" shaped part looks like an arm for mass ballance mounted on the elevator.
I suppose, that long tube is an exhaust collector ducting to turbocharger.

Try to get a part catalogue for P-38.

FLYBOYJ · 06-10-2007, 09:42 AM

Agree Sailor! And I looked at some of the Part Numbers for a later model P-38 and they also match the sequence initially shown. The PTS stamp looks like a "pressure tested" stamp. If you look on the part there are serrations in the material, someone took some pliers to that part!

Snautzer · 06-10-2007, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLYBOYJ

Thats a turbo charger and plumbing - P-38? Again guessing. The only 2 man US twin I could think of is a P-38 "Droop Snoot."

could be

Kurtl · 06-11-2007, 02:55 PM

Yes, I agree! Downloaded the pilot's manual for P38. The yellow part I found really looks like the one described at page 15. I saw another part in the woods looking like the access ladder shown in the same manual at page 22. Unfortunatly I didn't take it.

Got some offer to buy a part catalogue throught the internet for about 100 Doller. That's quite too expensive for me. Does anyone know a cheaper source or would have a look for me at his?

Yesterday I thought a "Droop Snoot" is a reconnaissance aircraft. Looked it up in a book today. So I read that it was a bomb leader for P38 used as a bomber. Could find out that Lockheed just converted 23 P38J's and built 100 conversation kits. This information is out of the "Yellow Series P-38J-L". So for me it looks like this aircraft was kind of rare.

I found some bullet shells too. Does anyone know if a "Droop Snoot" was equipped with guns at all? Think they needed the whole space for the Norden bomb sight and the second crew member.

So has anyone informations about the missions of these "Droop Snoots".

Kurtl

net_sailor · 06-11-2007, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurtl

Yesterday I thought a "Droop Snoot" is a reconnaissance aircraft. Looked it up in a book today. So I read that it was a bomb leader for P38 used as a bomber. Could find out that Lockheed just converted 23 P38J's and built 100 conversation kits. This information is out of the "Yellow Series P-38J-L". So for me it looks like this aircraft was kind of rare.

I agree about 128 total built. But there was other 2 seater version called "Pathfinder" with AN/APS-15 radar operator. Did you found any electronic eqipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurtl

I found some bullet shells too. Does anyone know if a "Droop Snoot" was equipped with guns at all? Think they needed the whole space for the Norden bomb sight and the second crew member.

Neither "Droop Snoot" nor "Pathfinder" have guns. Could you tell us what shells (especialy lenght and diameter) did you found? Typical american .50 cal gun has 12,7x99 mm shells or could be Hispano M2 20x110 mm cannon shells.

Micdrow · 06-11-2007, 05:44 PM

There is another possible P-38. Its the P-38M-5-LO. None seen combat in Europe as they came out at the end of 1944 but around 75 where made. Possible post WWII crash. I do have the serial numbers for these aircraft if you can find a serial number. It is a two seater as you can see and it does carry weapons.

R-2800 · 06-11-2007, 08:48 PM

cool pics!

net_sailor · 06-12-2007, 12:10 AM

Micdrow, I haven't heard about night Lightnings flying in Europe. IMO they were used on Pacific Theatre only!

Micdrow · 06-12-2007, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by net_sailor

Micdrow, I haven't heard about night Lightnings flying in Europe. IMO they were used on Pacific Theatre only!

I will have to do some more reading on it when I get home from work. I thought the article I was reading said a few made it to Europe but not in time to see combat.