Tin Goose's Suspension Arms

[Tuckerfan1053]

I'm in the midst of rereading The Indomitable Tin Goose, when I stumbled across mention of them having to make replacement suspension arms for the Tin Goose out of beryllium copper. I find this a bit difficult to believe as the material was (and is) rather uncommon. Its also highly difficult to machine (even moreso back before the invention of ceramic cutters). Anybody know if this is correct? (It'd be easy to tell if they are, since unpainted they'd look like they were made of copper, they'd also be incredibly hard and wouldn't spark if hit by a hammer.)

If they were beryllium copper, then its a wonder where Tucker's boys would have gotten the material, since what was available was rather tightly controlled as part of wartime production (It had a number of military uses). Its possible that the stuff was left over from the turrets Tucker built (though I could find no mention of the material being used in the patents) or from the failed airplane attempt.

[cicero]

Perhaps there was some laying around the factory left over from the wartime production that took place in that factory?

[Tuckerfan1053]

Perhaps there was some laying around the factory left over from the wartime production that took place in that factory?

Possibly, but highly unlikely, IMHO. The price of beryllium copper would have been pretty close to that of gold, and I can't imagine it being "just left" there, since amongst its uses in non-sparking tooling and electronics, it was necessary for making nuclear weapons. Then there's the timeline of when the arms were made and when the duplicates in becu would have been made. Given the nutty nature of Tucker being allowed in the plant, then kicked out of the plant, then allowed back in again, I can't imagine that they'd have time to rummage around and find the stuff (and realize what it was and what its properties were) and get the parts made in time to slap them into the Tin Goose after the aluminum ones broke.

[Randy Earle]

I can't understand why they would use a metal like that instead of chrome steel or titanium.

[Tuckerfan1053]

I can't understand why they would use a metal like that instead of chrome steel or titanium.

Titanium didn't really start to see any use until the 50s, so its doubtful if they'd have had access to it. Chrome steel makes some sense, so that's a distinct possibility.

The story goes, as we all know, that Tucker wanted the Tin Goose's suspension arms made out of aluminum to save weight and that Eddie or one of the other boys knew that because of how much lead there was in the body, aluminum couldn't handle it, and since Preston wouldn't listen to Eddie's objections, he secretly made a stronger set (which Pearson says was beryllium copper), so that he could swap them out the instant the first set failed.

Its possible that the ring for the turrets was made of beryllium copper (since it would have been incredibly tough), and that might be where Eddie (or whomever) got it. Methinks a trip to some aviation related message boards is in order.

[bill/k4flh]

I have an idea where the beryllium may have come from. Joe Lencki or my dad. Joe and dad worked with Enrico Fermi at Stagg Field on the atomic pile. I imagine there may have been some surplus there because beryllium was used in the pile. Just an idea!

[Tuckeroo]

So what's on the Tin Goose today?

[John K.]

That's just what I was wondering! Good question. Go to the actual car, get under it and find out. Do a little primary research.