We are doing research prior to the restoration of an A-3 Aerial Drop Lifeboat manufactured by the EDO company in the 1940's. It is associated with the SB-29 "Super Dumb" aircraft (http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2562 ). The example that we hold in the collection is in quite remarkable condition however it is short many components (engine, prop, rudder) and accessory items. Our frustration is that we've not been able to find good manuals or publications which specify these missing components and their associated model/part numbers. We would be most appreciative of any assistance in providing locations of any other surviving examples of this boat, reference publications and technical photographs, and parts and components in support of this effort. We hold very high standards for our restorations and we would not want the A-3 to be anything less than our aircraft. It appears that the A-3 is a most rare and unusual boat and deserves our very best efforts.
As we have exhausted our efforts among aviation museums for materials with little success, might we ask your help in forwarding this request to the members of the Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM) Any and all assistance from the maritime museum community would be most welcome.
Thank you for any and all considerations on our behalf.

Terry Aitken
Senior Curator
National Museum of the United States Air Force
1100 Spaatz Street
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433-7102
(937) 255-1292 (DSN 785)
terrill.aitken@us.af.mil
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil