Found Objects - Channel Section

Volume 12 Number 2/3
October, 1996

Found Objects

Navigator’s Bookcase	Sheet of aluminum with red paint	Cut Strip of Aluminum	Aluminum Plate	Heat Shield	Aircraft Skin
Aluminum Comb	Riveted Assembly	Channel Section	Cables	Plexiglas	Aircraft Safety Wire

[?] Channel Section (TIGHAR Artifact 2-2-V-9 & 10)

Date Found:
Materials analysis:
Report date:

October 1991 during TIGHAR’s NIKU II expedition.
NTSB
March 5, 1990

Description:

channel section This is a C shaped formed aluminum sheet channel approximately 7.25 inches long by 3 inches wide with a nominal material thickness of 0.062 inch. The channel has a 2 and 3/8 inch wide web and two 3/4 inch wide flanges, one at 90 degrees and the other at 110 degrees. The 110 degree flange has three 5/32 inch diameter holes containing rivet pieces and also has three complete 3/16 inch rivets. A portion of the flange or bracket is riveted to the inside surface of the web with two 3/16 inch rivets. The long axis of the bracket piece is set at an approximate 80 degree angle to the longitudinal direction of the channel. Two strips of aluminum, cataloged together as Artifact 2-2-V-10, fit both with each other and with Artifact 2-2-V-9. The strips each have a single line of 5/32 rivets with irregular spacing.

Condition:

One end of the channel has been transversely saw cut through the entire cross section. The other end also exhibits saw cut marks but only partially through the section thickness. The remaining section thickness was bent and broken at the cut. The bracket piece was severely damaged by exfoliation corrosion.

Identification:

unknown

Commentary:

This artifact was once part of an aircraft’s internal structure, but no match is apparent to any component in the Lockheed 10. The proportions of the piece suggest that the B-24 is a more likely candidate and the presence of exfoliation corrosion would appear to strengthen that possibility.

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