Our subject this month is the Bell Aircraft’s “Rosie The Riveter” as we continue to follow the story of Miss Lend-Lease, Bell Aircraft’s P-39Q SN 44-9211.
After retrieval from Lake Mart-Yavr, Miss Lend-Lease returned home in 2008 to the Bell Aircraft Wheatfield facility. As it was being readied for exhibit, these two signed aircraft parts were discovered.
Note Eleanor Barbaritano’s address as 322 Tremont Street, North Tonawanda. Also, a raised set of numbers 14-769-619-1 along the left side and a very faint white imprint S-1/2 H3. This information led to identifying this piece as the cover plate to the electrical junction box that housed a relay to the motor(s) that raised and lowered the P-39’s tricycle landing gear.
This next photo shows the reverse side of the aircraft piece signed by Helen Rose of 103 Ross Avenue, Buffalo. Note the word “GUN”. We eventually determined that this is the arming panel for the P-39’s weapons systems.
Our P39Q Miss Lend-Lease turned 80 on December 25, 2023. Eleanor Barbaritano and Helen Rose are just the best known “Rosies” who worked on this aircraft. In 1943 Bell Aircraft had over 32,000 employees and between 30-40% of them were women. These two highly treasured Niagara Aerospace Museum’s artifacts are a perfect tribute to the contributions of “Rosie the Riveter” during WWII.
Submitted by David Faix