Why it is difficult finding tires for B-29 restorations

[Edward Sheetmetalhands]

http://cgi.ebay.com/GREAT-WW2-GLASGOW-M ... 7C294%3A50



(I am not affiliated with the seller in any way, thought this was an interesting peice of history to pass along)

[Second Air Force]

I have seen a wheel in a tractor salvage yard that was probably one of these. There wasn't a tire on it so I figured it was for some kind of road building equipment. Pretty neat idea, especially when some farmers were riding on wooden "tires" because of rationing during the War.

Scott

[Edward Sheetmetalhands]

I guess it had to be an improvement for the tractors with the rigid rear axles... takes some shock out of the ride. Though I wonder how much "bounce" it added, or flex in off camber situations.

[Django]

That is awesome!

[Matt Gunsch]

one of the bidders on the tires up at Greybull was a outfit that sold tires just for that use. We ended up buying 2 A-26 nose wheels with mounted tires from them.

[Edward Sheetmetalhands]

Anyone have the history on the Superfot in the photo?

26312?? 28312??

[Matt Gunsch]

Boeing B-29-10-BW Superfortress 42-6312
6312 reclamation completed Pyote Dec 21, 1949

[Steve Nelson]

Some years ago I saw a couple of sandboxes made from diamond-tread tires outside an old elementary school here. I assumed they were old tractor tires..now I wonder......


SN

[BCalmes]

I wonder how much "bounce" it added

These look pretty worthless for traction in a field, though great for turf.

[The Inspector]

My late Mothers Dad was the station master @ Glasgow for about 269 years for the Great Northern Railroad.
We went for a visit in about 1958 so I was just shy of 11 yrs old. All That I recall is the town was pretty small and the water smelled like thick smoke and tasted like bricks, and the surrounding territory was a seemingly wonderful place to raise snakes and tumbleweeds.
Grandpa would whip out his 6 pound pocket watch and announce 'well, the 229 is just now at whatever switch'

[bdk]

This place still sells 'em!

http://www.noflats.com/tractorfronts.htm

Gensco first sold aircraft tires for cotton field trailers in 1953. Over the next twenty years, aircraft tires became the standard on several types of spreaders, scrapers, grain carts, and wagons. Many farmers and ranchers tell us, after thirty plus years, about their equipment that have the original aircraft tires.

[Versatile]

I know of a company that bought surplus tires right after the war. They purchased them by the box car for $.50 each. I purchased the last 56sc they had for $1400.00.