Hi, My grandfather (died in 1989) was in the Marines during WWII and was at Iwo Jima. I've been told that he brought a lot of things back from the war, however, everything except one item has vanished. I am curious as to what exactly it is that I have. I am not really sure how to explain it so I'm attaching a picture of it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Ray Photobucket
Welcome to the forum Ray. Sorry to hear about your grandfather. Looking at the pic, is the piece flat? Also looks like there is a chain hooked on to it. Is this so? There are a lot of very knowledgable gentlemen here and I'm sure we can figure it out for you. Thanks.
Thank you. Yes the piece is flat and there is a chain attached. I've attached a picture of the back of this piece. Thanks! Ray Photobucket
Hi Rich, I have done as you suggested and posted to that site. Hopefully, someone will be able to tell me what exactly it is that I have. Thanks! Ray
Hello Ray. I had the text translated. It means that it is the entry port to inject fuel. So I would guess that it is a gas cap of some sort. Does it look like one? Hope this helps. http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ab-japanese&tid=7488
I just checked my post on j-aircraft that Rich suggested I post to and just got a reply. You were right, it's "a cover for a fuel tank filler port from a Japanese aircraft. The fuel tank capacity was 600 liters." Thank you! Now, hopefully, someone will be able to help identify the type of aircraft it came off of...if such a thing can be traced. Ray
Woo Hoo! Ha. I am good for something. With the tank capacity, we should at least figure out the type of aircraft it came from. Perhaps a fighter? Back to the drawing board.
The item has been identified as: "the gas-cap access cover plate for the No. 1 fuselage fuel tank on a Japanese Army Type 4 Heavy Bomber "Hiryu" (Ki-67), Allied code name "Peggy." The cover is marked with the Kanji character for the abbreviation for "fuselage," followed by a numeral "1." And as I said before, the inner surface if marked with the capacity of the tank: 600 liters." This is great! I never thought I'd find out what it was off of. Ray
Back in 2006 when I posted this, I recieved a PM from a member requesting a paint analysis of said gas cap. I was still young and leary of such a request, but am hoping to find said individual again. As I have gotten older, I have learned ofthe significance of my artifact, and would like to help. I am not finding anything indicating that any of these bombers still exist, so my gas cap may be the last existing piece of one of these guys. I have been away for a while (college '06-'10, law school '11-'14), but I am hoping I can reconnect. I can attach more recent pictures of said gas cap if need be. Sincerely, Ray
