Wartime Exhaust Material

Sun Oct 11, 2009 6:00 pm

Can anyone confirm the material used in the manufacture of exhaust systems and turbo ductings for B-17 & B-24's? Over here in the UK a great deal of use was made of Inconel (a Nickel alloy). Was this used on American types or was it simply good old stainless?

Thanks,

Y

Sun Oct 11, 2009 9:42 pm

If I recall correctly, the turbo hot sections and other exhaust on the B-24s and B-17s I worked on were all stainless. Check with Gary Norville of American Aero Services, he maintians the Collings bombers and is a member here.

Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:45 pm

The B-17 Blueprints list both stainless and Inconel as an acceptable material for exhaust systems. I'm sure they had subcontractors that worked with one or the other. I haven't run into much Inconel. It seems to be predominantly stainless.

Patrick Mahaffey
B-17 "Chuckie"
B-25 "Pacific Prowler"

Mon Oct 12, 2009 8:03 pm

If it helps, Inconel is still commonly used here.

Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:27 pm

I know our collector rings are made of Inconel on the 54.

Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:06 pm

Inconel on the exit hoods of the exhaust on the B-29. I suspect the rest is inconel as well.

Gary