Warbird Information Exchange

Looking to see if anyone has or knows where I can get a copy of the standard part drawing for the A-1 Message Drop Bag? Listed part number is 065169, and was a GFE item for the L-birds. I've actually got an original one on hand, but would like to see if I can find a copy of the drawing before I delve into doing one.

Just an idea...
I just finished restoring a military Jeep.
There are several firms that make canvas accessories and seat covers for them.

Also, I suspect there are firms that produce canvas and other items for re-enactors.

Perhaps one already offers a bag or has the drawings to produce one?

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

John: I've been watching for years now on these and so far I only know of two bags out in the wild. Both popped up on fleaby this year and I bought one and another L-5 guy got the other. They appear to be so rare that there aren't even any photos of them on the net, other than copies from manuals!

The pouches are made from very light canvas, probably less than 7 ounce material, and even lighter streamer. Filling is kapok and a 2 ounce lead weight. There is a Dot fastener for a closure and then a snap hook for attaching it to a pickup wire. Mine probably weighs less than 6 ounces total.

If I have to, I can sit down and do a drawing, but would be nice to find an original that I can copy. I'm getting to the point that I am having to spend more time doing drawings than working on the L-5 and the AT-21.

I appreciate where you are coming from and applaud your dedication.
It's attention to detail that makes a restoration great...and fun.

If nothing else, maybe some of the vendors can supply the correct materials.

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

John: The attention to details can also be a real killer in a restoration. For example, during WW2, most of the hardware was Type 1 Cad plated, which is a silver finish. You almost can't find Type 1 plated hardware, unless you stumble on some NOS stuff stashed way back int he late 40's or early 50's. All modern stuff is Type 2, which is the yellow/gold stuff we see today. I know of one person that was adamant that his restoration have Type 1 hardware, so he bought a full compliment of hardware for the project, had it stripped and replated in Type 1. It probably added a few hundred bucks and a month or so to the project, but also forced doing installations a couple of times where thing had to go in and out a few times during the project. You had to wait and install the Type 1 stuff once you knew the parts would not come back out, so as to not damage the Type 1 stuff.

Some of the stuff is getting so hard to find these days, that we have to use the old prints, or have example parts and create new prints and have stuff manufactured. It helps cut the costs when there are bunch of restorations that pool their needs for an item and get it produced in enough of a quantity that everyone benefits. Some stuff is simply unobtanium and we have to figure out a substitute that performs as well and looks to be as close a possible and understand it's not correct, but makes the project flyable.

Could check in with this outfit, they make a lot of reproduction stuff for reenactors. They get pretty deep in their research etc. They might some insight or parts you csn use.

https://www.atthefront.com/

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Mike in Florida
TSgt USAF Retired
Jan 86 - Sept 08
Aircrew Life Support
"Your Life Is Our Business"
(122X0, 1T1X1, 1P0X1)
NRA Life Member

Bag, Message Drop, Assembly MIL-B-27897
SC-D-61004
27 June 1962

Here is the scope of the drawing



PM your email address if you want a copy of this specification/drawing.

Wonderful BDK..... What am I going to do when you retire and loose access to that phenomenal tech library you use? PM headed that way.

That's for a bit bigger bag, but it's close enough that I can work off of it. The originals were I think a 4x6 bag.

You talking about the one with the yellow streamer? GFE for L-5's? If so, I have several and can take photos/measure them. Someone already made repros (maybe Sam Taber?). I have one repro. Repro looks good, but the yellow material is incorrect. Supposed to be almost a yellow burlap. Let me know what you need.

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Taylor Stevenson

Taylor: I've got an original here on my desk as well. Finding the drawing would save some time in having some more made. Id'ing the correct materials is the hard part. With the print, it becomes easier to do. Been chasing lots of stuff as I get time, for stick boots, draft curtains and the like.

Sam supplied me with a piece of wire to unbraid and get a thread count for doing the wire covering, but I haven't had time to sit down and strip the shellac off of it and unbraid it for a thread count. I've also got to finish the antenna drawings and get them up to him for dimensional checks too.... Too many things going on and too few hours in the week to work on stuff!