bottom cabinet

[gjwilliamsjr]

Thanks to zkling, I've identified the top as a snap-on k-55. Still trying to id the bottom cabinet. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Was considering refinishing and restoring, but the patina is growing on me. The decal on the back is really cool. Any thoughts? Thank you for your help

 

[JUNK-MAN]

I'm not sure, any stampings on the back or inside? Looks like something I've seen before but I can't remember what.

 

[gjwilliamsjr]

I can't find any stampings. It has a special deluxe logo on the back, but that came from a '49 Plymouth. Here are some more pics. .I took the drawer out. It is wired for lights (2, one above the shelf and one below), but I'm not sure it's original. There are lots of hooks and hangars on the doors.

 

[smschriefer]

I'm not sure it is a mass produced box. To me it looks like a box made by a sheet metal specialist in the aviation industry. First big clue to me is the zinc yellow paint I see in some areas with stenciled lettering. To me it looks like re purposed scrap metal using other bits that were available. Also, the piano hinged doors point in that direction and the tubing tape charts that are aviation related. I know someone who might be interested in your box because of the North American Aviation decal that is on it. That would be ZRX61. I'll send him a PM and see if he can provide any insight.

 

[ZRX61]

That's aircraft aluminum. Probably came out of the sheet metal shop at NAA either in LA or Dallas. Where did you find it?
I just missed out on a similar box that came out of Lockheed.

btw, the direction the bird faces is a clue. If it faces one way, it's LA, if is faces the other way it's Dallas... & doofus here can't remember which is which...

 

[ZRX61]

The other two decals show the color codes for the various lines & tubing used in aircraft.

 

[smschriefer]

I know in WWII the Kansas plant had the bird flying to the left and had a K on the wing. So, maybe it was built and used in California?

http://b-25history.org/archives/service.htm

 

[gjwilliamsjr]

Wow. .you guys are awesome. I was just considering that the box might be custom made. (When I flipped it over and saw the wood base it made me think custom) I picked it up at a local auction. The note that was on it said it came from Patrick air force base. The few things left inside had Mel Benner on them (check out the pics).

 

[gjwilliamsjr]

Now for the most interesting part of this story. Underneath one of the mats in the bottom cabinet was this blueprint. I think I've identified the plane as an F86 D, K, or L. I'm currently looking at getting it framed for my father in law who is retired air force. It is labeled 1/2 size and is close to 60 inches long. By far the most interesting thing I've ever found. (And I have no idea why my phone keeps flipping the pictures)

 

[FJ 432]

I used to own a cabinet that was manufactured by Western Electric. It was pre wired with outlets, a yellow bulb on front and a toggle switch. It was a full sized cabinet but it was painted in a deep navy blue. Just a guess. It housed electrical equipment that was removed long before I owned it.

 

[gjwilliamsjr]

The lights in this are powered by a battery, but I have no idea what type. Here is the connector. .

 

[Two Sheds]

The plug looks like a Jones Plug, probably a type 302. These were used on all kinds of applications. Get the mating connector and wire it to whatever type of battery is appropriate for the voltage of the lamps. Maybe a lantern battery?

 

[Bdgjr215]

Dont know if this is related but...
Found an obituary for a Melvin Benner 1921-2011
Retired from Rockwell automation in 1984 says he was an accounting mgr
For Defense electronics died in santa rosa ca. Maybe maybe not?

 

[Bdgjr215]

Santa Ana Ca. Sorry. Said he was in ww ll. Also?

 

[gjwilliamsjr]

Possibly. .not sure, because the box ended up in Florida at Patrick air force base. Anything is possible tho