I'd like to add my $.02…
This discussion is not talking apples to apples. You guys are both right:
• Yes, all of the sub-assemblies made by contractors other than Bell will have metal data plates. Those parts, wing panels, horizontals, flaps, etc., were made in various plants then shipped to the Bell factory for integration into the finished aircraft. It should be noted that some sub-assembly makers used micarta/Mycarta for their parts, for example the vertical tail on the PB4Y-2 has a micarta/Mycarta part number plate inside one of the access panels near the junction with the fuselage. It should be noted that some sub-assemblies had the part number and serial number stamped into the part. See this link on B-29 tail gunner's compartment sub-assemblies for more information:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=54798&hilit=Big+Time+Operator#p543653• In my experience, the manufacturer's serial number plate for the P-39 -- the plate installed by Bell Aircraft that identifies the entire aircraft by the customer's serial number (the AAF serial) -- is micarta/Mycarta. What is interesting is that later in the war Bell went to metal manufacturer's serial number plates. I can testify that the P-59 Airacomet's manufacturer's serial number plate is metal.
Also many of the early P-51 manufacturer's serial number plates were micarta/Mycarta and the serial numbers were hand-written in ink.
That's my $.02. Thanks for letting me express my opinion free from flames.
Nick