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C-47 That's All-Brother flame dampeners, where they from??

Sun Jun 21, 2015 3:04 pm

C-47A "That's All-Brother”equipment search challenge, origin of flame dampeners / suppressors.

The one item on TA-B that is unknown by us is the Flame Dampeners (aka Suppressors), so I am asking across several boards (first with the English ones).

Looking at film of the aircraft it shows some kind of Flame Suppressors / Dampeners under the wings.
Since the para drops was at night it is obvious a necessity.

However the USAAF rarely did night missions so that device is somewhat unique.
It is my belief the USAAF went to RAF colleagues and "borrowed" some off a Halifax or Beaufighter.
I am asking this bunch of hanger bums to divulge what rumor they have and post here.

Video of That's All --- Brother is here,one can see the longer exhaust tubes.

Still of film (ignore yellow arrow, points to Radar dome. Instead look around gear struts):
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It is not difficult to find C-47’s with it installed, but the images tend to be grainy and being under the wing dark! Something with excellent detail is needed.
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And a picture of another C-47 with suppressors.
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Some existing RAF samples (I call them RASP Type because this reminds me of the wood tool).
Halifax
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Beaufighter
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On a side note:
QUESTION: does the RAF type also reduce engine exhaust noise??


On a side note , picture of crew was found with TA-B, but the suppressor was NOT installed at this time.
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THANKS FOR HELPING!

EDIT ADDITIONAL

More info and examples:
Greyman heard them referred to as 'Barbed' or 'Christmas Tree' exhausts.

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and on Sterling
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Last edited by Flying Pencil on Sun Jun 21, 2015 6:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Re: C-47 That's All-Brother flame dampeners, where they from

Sun Jun 21, 2015 3:20 pm

More images of dampener/suppressor

from Dover AFB site
Image


Links contributed by Lanc35 (one used above)
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/4826

http://www.charleston.af.mil/shared/...-9999G-009.jpg

It seems there was a Douglas version, as Mothminor posted in Key
" Flame Dampeners are mentioned in the Douglas C-47 Maintenance Manual (not numbered but dated 1944 with 1948 revisions.) - it states that "2 are shipped with the aircraft as loose items... fastened into place by screwing bolts into the nut plates built into the exhaust tail pipe." "

But they look like this!
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Re: C-47 That's All-Brother flame dampeners, where they from

Sun Jun 21, 2015 7:32 pm

"Black Cat" PBYs also utilized flame dampeners. At least from the pictures, they appear to be fairly similar to the ones installed on C-47s. Perhaps you can get a better picture from a PBY since the dampers were mounted on the top of the cowling.

Re: C-47 That's All-Brother flame dampeners, where they from

Wed Jun 24, 2015 5:15 pm

SaxMan wrote:"Black Cat" PBYs also utilized flame dampeners. At least from the pictures, they appear to be fairly similar to the ones installed on C-47s. Perhaps you can get a better picture from a PBY since the dampers were mounted on the top of the cowling.


I tried doing a few searches, the few I saw the dampener looked to be shroud over the exhaust, different from what I am looking for. Thanks for idea though.

Re: C-47 That's All-Brother flame dampeners, where they from

Sat Jul 11, 2015 4:43 pm

phenomenal success in fund raising!

Unfortunately much less success in finding about those dampener!

Re: C-47 That's All-Brother flame dampeners, where they from

Fri Aug 28, 2015 12:54 pm

Believe it or now, we STILL unable to find anything about those flame dampeners!

Lots of pictures and stories of those involved with TA-B are pouring in, but nothing on the stack.

Anyone take a second look?

Re: C-47 That's All-Brother flame dampeners, where they from

Fri Aug 28, 2015 1:43 pm

The photos and plane types in this thread, to me, strongly suggest this was a Brit thing. I know that US wheeled vehicles sometimes used Brit-made objects, such as blackout light brackets for jeep, and such. This could, I think, easily be something like that.
Have you checked with folks who know about RAF-issued airplane parts?

Re: C-47 That's All-Brother flame dampeners, where they from

Fri Aug 28, 2015 8:14 pm

Key Publishing Forums?
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