Found Objects - Riveted Assembly

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

[B-24] Riveted Assembly (TIGHAR Artifact 2-2-V-8)

Date Found:
Materials analysis:
Report date:

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

Description:

This assembly was made up of two aluminum alloy members. One member was roughly triangular in shape and appeared to be complete and relatively undamaged. The other member was severely damaged by exfoliation corrosion making it difficult to determine its original shape or configuration. However, there were four identifiable 5/32 inch diameter rivet holes along one edge with the formed tail portion of one rivet remaining. The two pieces of the assembly were connected by three large 3/16 diameter intact rivets that were marked with a single dimple in their manufactured heads. A partially-legible part number was stamped into the structure – 32B108?. (Note: The artifact was lost while in NTSB custody. It is believed to have been accidentally thrown out by the laboratory cleaning staff.)

Condition:

As mentioned by the NTSB, portions of this artifact exhibited severe exfoliation. There was also evidence of extensive cutting and shearing caused by tools or implements.

Identification:

This is, without question, a B-24 part. It could be part of one of the many belt-frame assemblies (Part Number 32B1081) in the rear fuselage or it could be part of the nose gear emergency release mechanism (Part Number 32B1089).

Commentary:

Like several other artifacts found on the island, this appears to be a scrap left over from local use. It may be related to the Aluminum Plate (Artifact 2-5). The exfoliation seen on the Cut Strip (Artifact 2-3) suggests that it may have at one time been exposed to the same conditions (immersion in salt water?) as the Riveted Assembly.

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