Hi all On this trip to a USAAF airbase dump, I split my time between digging dirty great big holes and metal detecting. I have been to this site before and know it can produce some decent finds, but sometimes it can produce naff all! Fortunately, this trip was a 'decent finds' trip, with three of the finds all being from a P51 Mustang. A very exciting dig with lots of shouting, swearing and general slapping of backs. There were ten members of the RRPG on the dig, all of whom found something to make their trip worthwhile. On to the finds. Stuff before cleaning.... And then after.... Flare cartridge bases. Curiously, one of them appears to be unfired. The handle from a US Army issue water canteen. Lots of tubes of this stuff. We hit a little 'seam' of them. But what's it for I hear you ask. Well, a medical condition that was very common in those days, and one that caused quite a few absences from the parade ground. It's used to treat veneral disease!!! Three bits of 50cal cartridges, found whilst detecting around the edge of the dump.
Now on to the finds that really made the day worthwhile.... First up, a US Army issue soldiers fork, nicely marked. Then, TWO US Army issue toothbrushes. And in case you were in any doubt that they were military issue..... This next item caused an awful lot of swearing. This is a great find..... ....Fuel tank filler cap from a P51 Mustang! And here is one in situ on a P51...... After the swearing had died down from that find, it sparked up again when this came out of the ground. This is an ammunition roller from the wing storage compartments of a P51 Mustang. This would guide the cartridges over the lip of the ammo box in the wing. A fantastic find!! Here it is (circled), in a tech drawing of a P51 wing. And last but by no means least. The find of the day, and one that caused so much swearing and hopping about that it would have made anyone cover their ears..... ......a piece of P51 Mustang Not just a piece, a piece of instrument panel! To arm bombs and turn the gun camera on and off !!!!! A totally fantastic superbulous find!!! And here is what it looked like in the cockpit of a P51, (circled). An excellent days digging. Great finds and great company. Hope you like the finds Steve T
Fantastic find Steve, thanks for sharing. Really nice post on the subject, enjoying the item photo paired up with photos of the in actual locations. Great stuff sir!
Thanks guys I post my finds in a metal detecting forum when they have little or no knowledge of WW2 relics, so posting pictures of the items in situ really helps bring home the importance of the finds. The chunk of instrument panel is indeed an excellent find, and one which I am very proud of! It has a display case all to itself already !