Researching "Avenger" wing debris ID - Aircraft of World War II

bruceman · 09-06-2008, 09:57 PM

Hello everyone, After doing some research trying to ID a possible piece of wing wreckage that has come into my possession belonging to a WW2 Avenger, I have come to this site for help. I currently live (summers) on a small island on the coast of Maine. During the latter years of WW2, a TBF Avenger that was being ferried to a Maine airbase supposedly crashed just off shore in a snow squall. There was a lone pilot (from New Zealand) who was lost and no confirmation of wreckage nor witnesses were to be confirmed. A short rescue search turned up no results at the time. The confirmation of the exact crash site has never been discovered ! It appears that the "missing" pilot's family were only told of a probable crash. In any event, after the war, local fishermen went about their lobstering and scallop dragging work in the general area of the supposed crash. From time to time, a piece of the supposed wreckage was dredged-up accidentally in lines and some pieces were retained. A particularly large piece that appears to be a wing segment from the Avenger's folding wing was dragged up a beach beside my cottage where I have managed to get it up on my lawn and attempting to clean it up for further ID'ing ! I am posting here in an attempt to get any possible help in identifying this artifact for both historical and perhaps to relay this info the the pilot's family ! I am in the process of removing barnacles,seaweed, etc and measuring and doing a photo documentation of the piece. The segment is about 10 feet long with aluminum framing with rivets (appear to be stainless steel) and several "cut-outs" in the length (presumably access points to wing's interior)..... but, the "smoking gun" , I hope, is a heavy-duty joint knuckle where the wing folded-up (which is in pretty decent shape) ! Are there any readers out there who might be able to shed some light on ID'ing this wreckage? I will provide some detailed photos shortly. Most interested, I wait for help...... Sincerely, Bruce

Bluehawk · 09-06-2008, 10:25 PM

Count me in... I'll give it a shot.

Very interesting story.

Matt308 · 09-06-2008, 11:09 PM

FlyboyJ is the Supreme Master of parts ID. He'll weigh in.

pbfoot · 09-07-2008, 02:30 AM

With the ident of the pilot being a Kiwi and the proximity to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia makes me wonder if it might be off a RN carrier or a guy on OTU in Shearwater

FLYBOYJ · 09-07-2008, 08:46 AM

I'll be on the road for the next day - if you could get photos, that would be a big help, especially if they include part numbers and any inspection stamps next to the part number. Also look for data plates.

bruceman · 09-07-2008, 11:37 PM

Hi Bluehawk, Thanks for the reply. I spent a couple of hours today romoving barnacles and other marine encrustations from the wing remnant. I will do some photos soon to send out to those who have volunteered assistance. One smaller section that I spent time cleaning with a dremel-tool with a soft brass wire attachment did a great job. The "rivets" appear to be stainless steel as they polish-up nicely ! I will send some photos along soon. Thanks again, Bruce

09-06-2008, 09:57 PM	#1
bruceman Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3	Researching "Avenger" wing debris ID Hello everyone, After doing some research trying to ID a possible piece of wing wreckage that has come into my possession belonging to a WW2 Avenger, I have come to this site for help. I currently live (summers) on a small island on the coast of Maine. During the latter years of WW2, a TBF Avenger that was being ferried to a Maine airbase supposedly crashed just off shore in a snow squall. There was a lone pilot (from New Zealand) who was lost and no confirmation of wreckage nor witnesses were to be confirmed. A short rescue search turned up no results at the time. The confirmation of the exact crash site has never been discovered ! It appears that the "missing" pilot's family were only told of a probable crash. In any event, after the war, local fishermen went about their lobstering and scallop dragging work in the general area of the supposed crash. From time to time, a piece of the supposed wreckage was dredged-up accidentally in lines and some pieces were retained. A particularly large piece that appears to be a wing segment from the Avenger's folding wing was dragged up a beach beside my cottage where I have managed to get it up on my lawn and attempting to clean it up for further ID'ing ! I am posting here in an attempt to get any possible help in identifying this artifact for both historical and perhaps to relay this info the the pilot's family ! I am in the process of removing barnacles,seaweed, etc and measuring and doing a photo documentation of the piece. The segment is about 10 feet long with aluminum framing with rivets (appear to be stainless steel) and several "cut-outs" in the length (presumably access points to wing's interior)..... but, the "smoking gun" , I hope, is a heavy-duty joint knuckle where the wing folded-up (which is in pretty decent shape) ! Are there any readers out there who might be able to shed some light on ID'ing this wreckage? I will provide some detailed photos shortly. Most interested, I wait for help...... Sincerely, Bruce

09-06-2008, 10:25 PM	#2
Bluehawk Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ozarks Posts: 374	Count me in... I'll give it a shot. Very interesting story. __________________ http://www.airforce.togetherweserved.com

09-06-2008, 11:09 PM	#3
Matt308 aka Dickcheese Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Washington State Posts: 13,386	FlyboyJ is the Supreme Master of parts ID. He'll weigh in. __________________ "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.] Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan Master of Duplicate Posts

09-07-2008, 08:46 AM	#5
FLYBOYJ IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 16,050	I'll be on the road for the next day - if you could get photos, that would be a big help, especially if they include part numbers and any inspection stamps next to the part number. Also look for data plates. __________________ "IF ITS RED OR DUSTY, DON'T TOUCH IT"

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

09-07-2008, 02:30 AM	#4
pbfoot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: niagara falls Posts: 5,586	With the ident of the pilot being a Kiwi and the proximity to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia makes me wonder if it might be off a RN carrier or a guy on OTU in Shearwater

09-07-2008, 11:37 PM	#6
bruceman Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3	Hi Bluehawk, Thanks for the reply. I spent a couple of hours today romoving barnacles and other marine encrustations from the wing remnant. I will do some photos soon to send out to those who have volunteered assistance. One smaller section that I spent time cleaning with a dremel-tool with a soft brass wire attachment did a great job. The "rivets" appear to be stainless steel as they polish-up nicely ! I will send some photos along soon. Thanks again, Bruce