Lancaster part WW2 can you identify it please?

It’s the front end of a DH motor driven prop feathering pump.

Pete

Unless this isn’t the whole pump; some pumps had several layers like this stacked on a single driven shaft…

…somebody put me out of my misery!

(Obviously this isn’t the whole pump, but are (were) there more gears?)

Four engine-driven hydraulic-pumps for the (originally) four turrets, two ‘general service’ hydraulic-pumps, four engine-driven Constant Speed Unit pumps, four electrically-driven propeller-feathering pumps, two engine-driven vacuum pumps…

…I’d probably say propeller-feathering pump (although different from a Halifax one I have)!

Odd, for a pump; can’t see a pressure-relief valve built into the ‘outer’ casing (which is the obvious place for it) but that big ‘plug’ would get in the way. And what the hell is that big plug for anyway? You could pull the driving gear out through a hole that big; but why would you want to?

Why else would you need access to the gears? That plug would be perfect for priming the gears with oil (but it seems a bit big for that)?

Could be a vacuum-pump I suppose?

Yes, it’s an oil-pump…..but I think it is an ‘accessory’ pump rather than an engine pump.

Not too many options on a Lancaster; hydraulic pump or propeller feathering pump (I don’t think so)?

The gears inside remind me of the merlin oil pump but this ones different..