thunderer wrote:This is just an "off the cuff" thought, but considering the forces which propelled the material from the craft and the speed at which it happened, is it feasible that that particular piece could have collided with the front spar on it's travels?
That was my thinking when I looked at it several years ago and was the reason I'd thought it might be the rear part of the spar fairing: Having been clearly forced outwards, I concluded it could only have come from the starboard side (atleast I got that bit right!

). I'd assumed (incorrectly) that the covers for the original spar boxes had been riveted and looked at what I thought was the only piece in that area to be held on with screws, which is what made me think it was part of the fairing. As it appeared to have been concertina'd by impact with something other than just water, I put 2 & 2 together, came up with 4.3 and guessed that the front spar could have been the culprit, which led me to think it must have come from behind it and could, therefore, be the rear portion of the fairing. Knowing now that it came from beneath the spar, I think the damage probably came from something else.
Looking at it again in context with the rebuilt frame, that ding looks to be roughly 2" square, so I'm going to throw caution to the wind and speculate that a section of the cockpit framework perhaps gave it a kiss farewell as they parted company.
sheppane wrote:I personally can't see the appeal of looking at a piece of bent metal. It hold no appeal. I would bet i'm not the only one either.
You're definitely not the only one, Neil - the only time I want to see bent metal is in a 'Before' photo in the diary!

One by one, the penguins are stealing my sanity...