C-53 Artifact Help

[Second Air Force]

A fellow researcher emailed me these photos today, and I thought it best to post them for everyone here to help identify. Jerry is a WWII crashsite investigator, and here is his website: http://www.nebraskaaircrash.com/main.html
The two items he would like help identifying came from a C-53D, 42-68801, that was lost during severe thunderstorm activity near Lincoln, Nebraska, with the loss of all thirteen men aboard. This accident occurred on 19 July, 1943, and is #7 on Jerry's website.

Here are both vessels laid side-by-side:


The fittings on each in more detail:


The gauge on the bottom of the steel vessel:


Any help would be appreciated--I think I may know what they were both used for but would like a Douglas expert to confirm or prove me wrong.

Scott

[Curtis Block]

I would say the green bottle is an pretty standard type of breathing Oxygen bottle.

[Second Air Force]

Thanks for the reply, Curtis.

I agree about the O2 bottle, I have more questions about the other vessel. I think it is an accumulator, but I'm not sure for what system. I'd hoped that someone with C-47/DC-3 experience would recognize the gauge.

I appreciate your input,
Scott

[51fixer]

The mystery bottle might be a fire bottle.
Rich

[Second Air Force]

Thanks, Rich.

I had originally thought it could be a brake accumulator. The bottom scale on the gauge could be in hundreds, so the "full" band would be around 1500 psi. However, your fire bottle idea seems more plausible.

Scott

[bdk]

Accumulators are typically either spherical with a diaphragm in the middle or cylindrical with a floating piston inside. Either way they would need to be able to be disassembled to replace the diaphagm or seals for overhaul. An accumulator would also have a schrader valve on the opposite the hydraulic port side to charge it.

My guess would be a low pressure firex botle as well.

[Tom N]

Looks like a fire bottle....

[Tom N]

Looks like a fire bottle....

[Second Air Force]

Thanks guys,

I'll let Jerry know your findings, I'm certain he'll appreciate it.

Scott