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Author Topic: WWII artifact appraisal  (Read 4142 times)

Offline montmil

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WWII artifact appraisal
« on: July 20, 2011, 09:20:53 PM »
The National Museum of the Pacific War, in Fredericksburg, Texas- the birthplace of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz- is dedicated to perpetuating the memory of the Pacific Theater of WWII in order that the sacrifices of those who contributed to victory may never be forgotten.

http://www.pacificwarmuseum.org/Index.asp

My late father-in-law was a young P-51 fighter pilot in the Southwest Pacific theatre late in the war; but not too late to miss going 'round with the Japanese A6M Zero.

Several years ago, my mother-in-law gifted Lynn and I with some of her father's 'mementos' of his experiences; one being a Japanese fighter pilot's knee board flight computer. Almost identical to the E6B flight computer I used while flying with both the USAFAux for ten years and in general aviation. I always referred to it as a flight "confuser".

Recently, I have been in contact with the Museum's Curator of Collections regarding the donation of the knee board and several other bits of historical significance. What I'm searching for is a way to determine the value of the JAAF knee board and a few other items. The United States Tax Code has provisions for such donations that make gifting to recognized non-profit museums financially attractive.

Any information and/or resources from knowledgeable individuals within the R65 forum would be greatly appreciated.

Monte



Original pencil tick marks- most likely from the pilot's last flight- remain on the lower wind correction portion of the computer.



Data plate. I wonder if the pilot was dinged for restitution as he did not return all of his issued flight gear.

Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet

Offline marcmax

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Re: WWII artifact appraisal
« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2011, 06:23:47 AM »
Monte,

That is just too cool! As an aviation and history buff I just think that must be incredible to actually hold in your hand a piece of history from one of the greatest conflicts known to man. While I don't have any idea of its value you might want to contact either of these places. I am sure they can supply you with what you need.

http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/

http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/
Keep your bike in good repair: motorcycle boots are not comfortable for walking.

1982 R65ls    1984 R65ls

Offline marcmax

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Re: WWII artifact appraisal
« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2011, 06:24:40 AM »
Keep your bike in good repair: motorcycle boots are not comfortable for walking.

1982 R65ls    1984 R65ls

Offline Bengt_Phorqs

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Re: WWII artifact appraisal
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2011, 11:25:01 AM »
That's too cool Monte!  How is it that it's still in such good condition?  I would have thought that you and your young grandson would have been out in the back yard playing dog fights like we used to do as kids.  

Just a suggestion but try to contact the Museum at the US Naval Academy.  http://www.usna.edu/Museum/

And as a sidebar comment I have to say that those guys must really be woosies.  On the USNA homepage it's posted that the 0930 parade was cancelled because of "high heat".  Hell, it's only 91.9F in Annapolis, MD.  It was that hot at 0800 this morning here in Texas!  Wimps. ;D
Bengt Phorqs, Jake R90/6, R80/7, R1200RTw, Moto Guzzi California EV , Triumph TR250W, Yamaha TY250A Trials, Suzuki DR650

Offline montmil

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Re: WWII artifact appraisal
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2011, 02:17:10 PM »
Quote
... On the USNA homepage it's posted that the 0930 parade was cancelled because of "high heat".  Hell, it's only 91.9F in Annapolis, MD.  It was that hot at 0800 this morning here in Texas!  Wimps. ;D

Well, Bengt, you being ex-Army, and all that that implies, will be stunned to hear that Army regs now require that outdoor basic training evolutions will be canceled and E-nothings moved indoors when temp & humidity monitoring stations on post reach certain "uncomfortable" parameters.

One of SFC Miller's old emails from Iraq mentioned his seeing 130°+F /54°+C on a thermometer pinned to his TLBV (Tactical Load Bearing Vest) while patrolling a Sadr City alley, outfitted in full battle rattle, cica 2004. No slack.

Monte
Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet

Offline Bengt_Phorqs

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Re: WWII artifact appraisal
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2011, 03:14:26 PM »
Yeh, the next thing you know we'll be putting air conditioning in the schools for all the little hot house plants, and then women will be allowed in the corps at Texas A&M.  

What's it coming to and how'd it get this far??? [smiley=wall.gif]
Bengt Phorqs, Jake R90/6, R80/7, R1200RTw, Moto Guzzi California EV , Triumph TR250W, Yamaha TY250A Trials, Suzuki DR650

Dizerens5

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Re: WWII artifact appraisal
« Reply #6 on: July 22, 2011, 04:54:00 AM »
Health and safety is driving us to distraction. I was just in a restaurant in Cornwall, here in England, they have posted a notice saying that they regret they can't heat up baby food for customers because their liability insurance company will not permit it. Crazy.

clonmore1

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Re: WWII artifact appraisal
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2011, 04:40:08 AM »
And, here in the UK, schools have banned conker fights due to the "serious threat of personal injury"

And they wonder why kids don't have any ambition anymore...


Dizerens5

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Re: WWII artifact appraisal
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2011, 05:51:42 AM »
When I was about 10 or 11 we played a game we called"territory" at school. Find a bare-earth patch of playground, use a knife to mark out a rectangle about 3 ft by 2, mark it half way across. two boys stood one on each half and threw their pocket knife to try to mark a groove which would extend their half. Nobody ever got hurt. Today health-and-safety inspectors would go completely ape.

Offline Air4Life

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Re: WWII artifact appraisal
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2011, 12:59:56 PM »
That's great Monti.  A long time friend of mine's dad was a WWII Ace.  I remember years after his passing getting a peak at his logbook.  His last flight described a few maneuvers.  There were no embellishments or attempts to glorify the occasion at all for making it through that experience...  

I imagine any flier would admit, that it had to be quite a feeling, and a well deserved fun ride he had just entered there in his log.  Thanks Mr. R. and the rest.


By the way, the following is not a picture of my friends dad.  Its just a reminder that when all the electronic gizmos take a dump, even Spoc had to return to the basics.

« Last Edit: July 23, 2011, 01:05:16 PM by Air4Life »
sold:
1983 33.8 E. Oil & Trans ?
Batt 10/06/2011
33.2 Head 35.5 (I0.005) ?(E0.009) 35.5
RearT 35.5 Spline 7/12 &
T.O.Bearing
C.U. Paste 5/12

Offline nhmaf

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Re: WWII artifact appraisal
« Reply #10 on: July 29, 2011, 08:52:46 PM »
That is very cool Monte!

I also wouldn't know what such a device is worth, but in such good condition, I am certain that it would be something which such a museum would be very thankful / grateful for receiving.
Airhead #12178 ? BMWMOA #123173 ?BMWRA #33525 ?GSBMWR #563 ?1982 BMW R65LS ?1978 BMW R100/7 1998 Kawasaki Concours

Offline montmil

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Re: WWII artifact appraisal
« Reply #11 on: July 30, 2011, 07:46:28 AM »
Quote
... I also wouldn't know what such a device is worth, but in such good condition, I am certain that it would be something which such a museum would be very thankful / grateful for receiving.

I thought so too, Mike, but now I'm a bit frustrated and surprised. Here's what I've learned so far...

Fredericksburg, Texas is home to the National Museum of the Pacific War. The museum complex is spread throughout the central city and provides an excellent 'walking" tour to the various venues. My wife and I decided that a Texas-based museum of this quality would be an appropriate setting for several of the mementos from a Texas WWII fighter pilot.

http://www.pacificwarmuseum.org/BushGallery.asp

I did contact the Museum's director of acquisitions and quickly learned several facts: 1) Only 1% of items in the Museum's collection are ever on display; 2) Donated items can often languish in storage for, "ten years or more" until utilized in some way; 3) Items donated become the property of the Museum and are subject to "trades" with other museums.

I've contacted other quality aviation museums around Texas and discovered the same "rules of engagement".

We have returned the artifact to our home's "climate-controlled storage facility", aka: my closet.

Monte



Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet

wa1udg

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Re: WWII artifact appraisal
« Reply #12 on: August 04, 2011, 12:13:35 PM »
What's an "e nothing"  is that like a "Private E Duce"?   We found the "Speedy Fours" slowed down when it got hot.  

wa1udg

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Re: WWII artifact appraisal
« Reply #13 on: August 04, 2011, 12:17:42 PM »
You might try the Smithsonian.. ever looked at their "Air and Space" magazine?  If you visit Washington (undercover) you must visit their Air Museum.  Lots of big aircoled stuff there.  Lotta jugs on a B 29.  

Offline montmil

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Re: WWII artifact appraisal
« Reply #14 on: August 04, 2011, 12:56:56 PM »
Quote
What's an "e nothing" 

Brand newbie, know nothing, day one, slick sleeve, USArmy recruit. Pay grade barely E-1. The absolute bottom of the list, hence many basic Soldiers refer to themselves as "E-Nothing" or occasionally as an "E-Fuzzy" since there's no rank insignia on the velcro shoulder patch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_enlisted_rank_insignia

Proud to be an Army Dad. -Monte



Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet