Hi all,
Could anybody help me identify a couple of parts which were found close to a WW2 Bomber Command base operating predominantly Stirling’s and Lancaster’s. I understand there were numerous “crashed on return to base” incidents at this site.
These parts were found alongside a Merlin ejector exhaust stub with the part number J2F4 and a AM emergency oxygen bottle so I was initially thinking Lancaster. What threw me was there was also a data plate for a US made Eclipse (Bendix) engine starter type 840 which I thought was fitted to P-51’s.
My best guess would be that the large part is a the oil cap/filter and part of the oil tank. The cap measures approx. 3.75 inches in diameter and the gauze was initially in situ under the cap inside the neck of the main part. Unfortunaly the parts were is a sorry condition so getting any part numbers looks impossible. The other part I have no idea.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Darren
By: LMT121278 - 18th August 2014 at 21:59
Thanks all; your knowledge is truly outstanding. Found a pic of the rear sear release. I,m quite happy with this group of parts; there has proven to be some quite interesting items.
By: Arabella-Cox - 18th August 2014 at 21:10
that piece with the brass on it could be armament related??
Yes! It’s a rear sear release unit from a .303″ Browning (Palmer Hydraulic firing gear/FN turret).
By: Peter - 18th August 2014 at 20:53
Correct, first one is armor plate from the engine subframe not sure about the second item though.
By: LMT121278 - 18th August 2014 at 20:39
Many thanks Peter. Any ideas on these two large heavy steel plates. Are they possible armour?
By: Peter - 16th August 2014 at 23:44
that piece with the brass on it could be armament related??
By: LMT121278 - 16th August 2014 at 21:24
Anyone fancy a Saturday night challenge? Here are the latest pieces that have turned from indistinguishable blobs of rust to parts (kind of). These are from the same batch as the above. The first appears to be some kind of turn switch which would raise the brass bar at the bottom. This has the part number 8A/1163 and measures 2 inches by 3 inches. The second part may not even be linked but looks like some kind of tool. It measures 12 inches long and seems to be made from some kind of lightweight alloy.
Many thanks,
Darren
By: LMT121278 - 16th August 2014 at 13:52
That’s excellent. Thank you very much for your help!
By: Arabella-Cox - 16th August 2014 at 10:42
Your latest piece looks like an Electro-magnetic Fuzing Unit, of the type used on Small Bomb Containers.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]231062[/ATTACH]
By: LMT121278 - 16th August 2014 at 08:26
I’m getting through the batch of parts from this batch and have come across this. I have searched high and low and cannot find anything like it. It appears to be an electrical component with a viewing hole. It has been ripped open to expose some electrical components. Any ideas?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]231057[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]231058[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]231059[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]231057[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]231058[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]231059[/ATTACH]
By: LMT121278 - 9th August 2014 at 22:11
Thanks very much Pete; that’s great!
By: MerlinPete - 9th August 2014 at 22:01
Hi Darren
The last picture is a Merlin generator drive shaft.
Bendix Eclipse starters were certainly used on Lancasters fitted with Packard-built Merlins, but I don’t know the type numbers used without checking.
Pete
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August 9, 2014 at 9:18 pm