Description
Cornelius Model 48 Aircraft Compressed-Air Pressure Tank For Remote Controlled Turrets
The Cornelius Model 48 Aircraft Compressed-Air Pressure Tank is a military-aircraft air receiver and accumulator, sometimes called a wet tank. It buffered compressed-air output and collected water or oil condensate before air continued through the aircraft pneumatic system.
The original blue markings identify the unit as a Model 48—Pressure Tank manufactured by Cornelius Co., Minneapolis, Minnesota. Directional labels identify the inlet, outlet, safety-valve port, and drain location.
Historical Significance
The Cornelius Model 48 belongs to the pneumatic equipment used in military aircraft during the World War II and early postwar periods. A 1955 U.S. Air Force overhaul manual covered several Model 48 variants, showing that the design remained part of the military maintenance system after the war.
Surviving USAAF compressor-package documentation also pairs a Model 48 tank with a 27-volt Cornelius Model 32-R-300 compressor. This illustrates the tank's role as the receiver and moisture-collection point in an aircraft compressed-air installation.
Aircraft Pneumatic-System Role
Compressed air entered through the marked side inlet. The tank provided reserve volume that helped buffer compressor output while moisture and oil condensate settled in the lower section. Air then left through the marked upper outlet for use elsewhere in the pneumatic system.
The lower drain fitting allowed collected liquid to be removed, which explains the prominent DRAIN AFTER EVERY FLIGHT instruction. A separate marked port was provided for a safety-relief valve.
What This Item Is and Does
The Cornelius Model 48 Aircraft Compressed-Air Pressure Tank is the receiver portion of an aircraft compressor system. It is not a compressor and does not generate air pressure. Its purpose was to receive compressed air, smooth the supply, provide limited stored volume, and collect condensate before the air moved onward through the system.
The tank's markings provide a clear visual guide to its original plumbing arrangement, making it useful for interpreting period aircraft pneumatic equipment without assigning it to an unsupported aircraft model.
Key Features
- Original identification: MODEL 48—PRESSURE TANK
- Manufacturer marking: Cornelius Co., Minneapolis, Minn., U.S.A.
- Military-aircraft compressed-air receiver and accumulator
- Marked INLET and OUTLET locations
- Marked SAFETY VALVE port
- Prominent DRAIN AFTER EVERY FLIGHT instruction
- WWII and early postwar military-aircraft equipment type
Why This Item Matters
Pneumatic support equipment is an important but often overlooked part of military-aircraft history. This tank preserves the original Cornelius identification and directional markings that show how compressed air, condensate drainage, and pressure relief were handled in a period aircraft installation.
It offers strong display and study value for aviation collections, pneumatic-system exhibits, restoration research, and period equipment interpretation.
About This Item
The tank is marked MODEL 48—PRESSURE TANK, CORNELIUS CO., and MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., U.S.A. Blue labels identify the inlet, outlet, safety-valve port, and drain. The exterior shows surface scratches, scuffs, small nicks, discoloration, and handling wear consistent with stored surplus equipment. The original markings remain readable.
The marked safety-valve port is open, and no safety-relief valve is shown in the photographs. The tank's pressure rating, internal condition, and pressure integrity are unknown. Do not pressurize this tank. It is offered as a historical component for display, study, or restoration reference and is not represented as airworthy or pressure-tested.
All items are opened from the original packaging to verify its condition before shipment. If your prefer to receive an item in its original, unopened packaging, please indicate your request in the order comments at checkout. Please Note: If you request an item in its original, unopened packaging, we are unable to verify the item's condition prior to shipment.
Ideal For
This item is a strong fit for:
- Military aviation collectors
- World War II and early postwar aircraft displays
- Museum and educational pneumatic-system exhibits
- Vintage aircraft restoration-reference collections
- Cornelius equipment and military-surplus collectors
- Film, television, and prop departments
Approx length ", Approx width ", Approx height ", Approx weight lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item's general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
Please visit our page about order lead times here: Order Lead Times