Turret pics and parts from Tx Raiders

[SPANNERmkV]

A question for all you turret restorer types.
I have been trying to clean and preserve those un-loved parts you see in the pictures.
Some of the cast alloy covers have that chalky oxided corrossion.

Any suggestions on what is the best thing to neutralize and remove that skank?
I'm tempted to try the CocaCola trick, but Mandrake says somebody has to answer to the CocaCola Company!

But seriously... Any suggestions?

[astixjr]

Spanner,
I suspect that most of the Sperry upper and ball turret structural castings are Aluminum. It's tempting to use steel wool to remove the surface corrosion on the castings but I would suggest another type of metal wool or maybe even plastic (Scotchbrite). I don't think there is much Magnesuim on the Sperry turrets but be on the lookout for it. The A-15 nose turret for the B-24 contains a significant amount of magnesium castings and as you know, Magnesium and water don't play well together. I'll bet John Peters has lots of recent experience on this very subject. What methods are you using John?

[bdk]

The active ingredient on Coke is phosphoric acid. Just use that and it won't get sticky and attract ants. or just use Diet Coke. Phosphoric acid is cheaper though. As with any chemical, read the directions!

Metal Prep, $31.50/gal

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/metalprep.php

[Former Member]

Spanner,
I suspect that most of the Sperry upper and ball turret structural castings are Aluminum. It's tempting to use steel wool to remove the surface corrosion on the castings but I would suggest another type of metal wool or maybe even plastic (Scotchbrite). I don't think there is much Magnesuim on the Sperry turrets but be on the lookout for it. The A-15 nose turret for the B-24 contains a significant amount of magnesium castings and as you know, Magnesium and water don't play well together. I'll bet John Peters has lots of recent experience on this very subject. What methods are you using John?

To be honest I just use good old soap & water and plenty of elbow grease. Many of the parts I work with are in less than pristine condition so I've already accepted the fact they aren't going to have that "factory fresh" look to them. I've encountered the same problem you mention while trying to clean up some of my ball turret gear boxes. There is this thin film of crud on some of them that is nearly impossible to get off. I've even tried engine parts solvent with little success. Since I like the "worn" look I just clean the best I can and leave it at that. My biggest challenge so far has been trying to limit rust and corrosion to the steel fittings on the ball turret. The ammo can door I recently acquired was a challange since it's one of the few pieces of the ball turret not made of aluminum. It's made of steel and was one big chunk of rust.

John

[SPANNERmkV]

We have some Ospho at the hangar. I may try a drop or two and proceed from there if it looks promising.

Likewise I am only concerned with preservation at this point. But that means stopping active corrossion.

Thanks for the get backs!
SPANNER

[Alan Brooks]

OK, guys, just to shift things a bit, new B-17 parts list (and others) is up and listed on the parts page........ Alan

[ballturret]

Hi Alan
Its great to see interior detail of the top turret , after your rebuild would you have any spare parts?
i have been trying to restore my B17F sperry upper for nearly twenty five years but unfortunately i do not seem to get any where fast any help would gratefully appreciated......colin

[hang the expense]

Hi Alan
Its great to see interior detail of the top turret , after your rebuild would you have any spare parts?
i have been trying to restore my B17F sperry upper for nearly twenty five years but unfortunately i do not seem to get any where fast any help would gratefully appreciated......colin

PITURES OR BAN!.Can we get a picture of your turret shell?I am building a new one from scratch and having loads of fun believe me.

[RAMC181]

Pics are here:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=48614

[Travisd80elcam]

ballturret, welcome to wix and i hope the best of luck to you for finding you parts you need. Have you tried contacting depot41? according to his website he had turret parts. heres the link http://www.depot41.com/turretpts.htm

Hang, is the turret shell top(for lack of proper part name) a one piece pressing? and if so are you planning a production run for those 17's lacking the real mccoy?

Travis

[hang the expense]

Thanks for the pics of the turret.We have the same one and took the plug out of it making an earlier version.The turret is a 4 piece casting that bolts together.I have made a ton of parts for it and it will be welded into the individual parts and bolted together. I suppose they will be available at some point but right now I am so buried in other B-17 parts I can never die.I will help out if I can and I will send some pics to a buddy of mine who knows how to load them to the wix.I have'nt a clue how to do that.I can send them to a camera phone if that helps.

[Mark Allen M]

Here's a neat "Mechanics illustrated" cover from 1945 someone in this thread may like.

[hang the expense]

ballturret, welcome to wix and i hope the best of luck to you for finding you parts you need. Have you tried contacting depot41? according to his website he had turret parts. heres the link http://www.depot41.com/turretpts.htm

Hang, is the turret shell top(for lack of proper part name) a one piece pressing? and if so are you planning a production run for those 17's lacking the real mccoy?

Travis

Look for pics coming up on Aerovintage late tonight or tomorrow from Dry Martini.Tell me what you think when you see the pics.

[Travisd80elcam]

here is the link to said photos in the above post. http://aerovintage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1902 And one word comes to mind hang, outstanding. I can't wait to see the finished product. It looks like it will take a lot of hand fitting to get the joints to butt just right not to mention to get the rite compound curve. Looks outstanding for the progress you have made.

Travis

[hang the expense]

Thank you Travis.The joints wont be butted but offset which is more work but can be made a stronger joint.Still working it out though and have to be dead on the cuts.When its done I will have to rough it up because the originals are anything but a nice finish.Its got to look the part right?