Warbird Information Exchange

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

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

_________________
Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

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

The mystery bottle might be a fire bottle.
Rich

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

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.

Looks like a fire bottle....

_________________
Tom N

Looks like a fire bottle....

_________________
Tom N

Thanks guys,

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

Scott