WW2 USAAF airbase - March 15th 2010
Hey all
I returned to 'my' airbase on Monday and was rather dismayed to discover that a number of the buildings had disappeared since my last visit ! Some bloody rotten developer is making way for 'something' although lord knows what. And to make way.........the few remaining buildings are coming down. BAH !
I did of course take the opportunity to search the newly cleared ground and found some unusual bits along with the normal detritus of a military base.
I am fairly certain that I have more or less cleared the base now. I suppose I will always find something but I really do need to bite the bullet (pardon the pun) and move on.
Anyways, here we go with the finds.
Before cleaning.............
And then after cleaning......
Here are some larger pieces post cleaning. The bakelite cover looks like it is off an electrical box as it has an earth connection on it. The piece of aluminium appears to be airframe but has no markings. The wing mirror I have saved just in case it is off an aircraft or jeep....let me know if you recognise it. And finally the 'hanger'. It looks like a coat hanger but it's far too small. I actually found all three bits seperately and married them up after cleaning. What was it used for ? To hang helmets on perhaps ? Or flight caps ? I don't know....post if you do ! The plate has the remains of what could be 'mirroring' around the edges.
A couple of lift the dot fixings with material still attached, and some O rings.
A curious information plate, and two bits of brass I have no clue on. Post if you recognise them please. The smaller brass piece has '3X' stamped on it.
Some other bits I can't ID, although one appears to be made by Lucas......the same company who do electrical bits ? The item bottom left is actually the top off a cigarette lighter. I know this because I found a complete one on the same base a few visits back :) :)
This is a very strange object. About 2 inches in diameter and the same deep, it is certainly a dial for something but what I don't know. If you look closely you can make out the words 'SUMMER' and 'HALE'. Anyone know ?
Onto the stuff I have a greater knowledge of !
Firstly a flare cartridge
Now some .30cals and 303's and, very curiously, one spent German 7.92mm round. I found this in the gun pits so I wonder if the guys had a German weapon they were trying out ? Or perhaps it was the result of a German attack ?
Also found lots of 45cals and spent bullets around the gun pits.
And the usual 20mms and 50cals. Two more chopped up 20mms this visit.
And that's the lot. Please help ID stuff if you know what it is !
Cheers
Steve T
I returned to 'my' airbase on Monday and was rather dismayed to discover that a number of the buildings had disappeared since my last visit ! Some bloody rotten developer is making way for 'something' although lord knows what. And to make way.........the few remaining buildings are coming down. BAH !
I did of course take the opportunity to search the newly cleared ground and found some unusual bits along with the normal detritus of a military base.
I am fairly certain that I have more or less cleared the base now. I suppose I will always find something but I really do need to bite the bullet (pardon the pun) and move on.
Anyways, here we go with the finds.
Before cleaning.............
And then after cleaning......
Here are some larger pieces post cleaning. The bakelite cover looks like it is off an electrical box as it has an earth connection on it. The piece of aluminium appears to be airframe but has no markings. The wing mirror I have saved just in case it is off an aircraft or jeep....let me know if you recognise it. And finally the 'hanger'. It looks like a coat hanger but it's far too small. I actually found all three bits seperately and married them up after cleaning. What was it used for ? To hang helmets on perhaps ? Or flight caps ? I don't know....post if you do ! The plate has the remains of what could be 'mirroring' around the edges.
A couple of lift the dot fixings with material still attached, and some O rings.
A curious information plate, and two bits of brass I have no clue on. Post if you recognise them please. The smaller brass piece has '3X' stamped on it.
Some other bits I can't ID, although one appears to be made by Lucas......the same company who do electrical bits ? The item bottom left is actually the top off a cigarette lighter. I know this because I found a complete one on the same base a few visits back :) :)
This is a very strange object. About 2 inches in diameter and the same deep, it is certainly a dial for something but what I don't know. If you look closely you can make out the words 'SUMMER' and 'HALE'. Anyone know ?
Onto the stuff I have a greater knowledge of !
Firstly a flare cartridge
Now some .30cals and 303's and, very curiously, one spent German 7.92mm round. I found this in the gun pits so I wonder if the guys had a German weapon they were trying out ? Or perhaps it was the result of a German attack ?
Also found lots of 45cals and spent bullets around the gun pits.
And the usual 20mms and 50cals. Two more chopped up 20mms this visit.
And that's the lot. Please help ID stuff if you know what it is !
Cheers
Steve T
