Is there something I have missed?
I just need somebody to tell me that there is (or isn’t!) a reference source that ties specific RR Merlin engine numbers to specific airframes – even at just the build/delivery stage.
In the two cases I am looking at the AM78 records no engine numbers. However, a published source quotes a specific recovered engine number as being matched to a specific airframe.
I want to be sure that this is fanciful thinking before it is dismissed as such and discounted.
Is there a reference source that matches Lancaster engine numbers (at build or delivery to RAF) to airframe numbers that I don’t know about?? That is, aside from the AM78 forms which are not helpful, anyway?
Clarification of this point will greatly assist a family in researching the loss of close kin.
By: Arabella-Cox - 3rd February 2014 at 22:10
Yes, the RR Heritage Trust have been very helpful in the past.
The information is variable, but often they can provide valuable little nuggets.
By: Firebex - 3rd February 2014 at 22:01
There also seems to be some correlation to records held by RR on log cards and servicing data.
We where offered a couple of Merlins a few years ago and we contact RR historical section at Derby and they came back to us and told us the Spitfires they had been first fitted to.This turned out to be the two Spitfires that Mid Aired near Catterick.
So it seems that info for at least some engines still exists.It wont give squadrons etc but from our experience it at least gives type and a serial number to tie to the initial airframe the unit was installed into.
Mike E
By: Arabella-Cox - 3rd February 2014 at 16:42
Cees
Thanks!
That makes sense given information suggested by others.
Presumably extracted from MREU files. In which case one would also presume the individual casualty files will reveal the same detail in the fullness of time when they are released to Kew.
By: CeBro - 3rd February 2014 at 15:35
Andy,
We have been involved in the recovery of a Polish crewed Lancaster in the past. The aircraft was identified by one the serialnumber plates of the engines (Merlin 28). We were told there was such a list in the UK (Air Historical Branch?)
Cees
By: Arabella-Cox - 3rd February 2014 at 13:48
Ross
Many thanks, as ever!
I’ll e-mail you. Quite a long (and intriguing!) story.
By: Ross_McNeill - 3rd February 2014 at 13:43
In the case of this airframe the engines had been changed but it serves as an example of what is recorded.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]225145[/ATTACH]
F1180 Copyright RAF Museum
If you have been living right then lady luck will show possible dates of previous FA accidents on the AM78. Use these to scan round for corresponding F1180s.
Regards
Ross
By: Ross_McNeill - 3rd February 2014 at 13:12
There you go with the negative waves…
If someone bent it earlier in service then the F1180 may give the numbers (hopefully it did not have a subsequent engine change at 100 hrs)
This is an example of the card for a Cat B 1/8/42 for Beaufighter R2187 on Air Operations, finally written off in an accident 1944 with No.51 OTU.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]225144[/ATTACH]
F1180 Copyright RAF Museum
Regards
Ross
By: Arabella-Cox - 3rd February 2014 at 12:59
Ross
An interesting possibility, perhaps, that these were reclassified as FA, but I very much suspect not.
Some of the Cas Packs do quote numbers, but of course the releases are yet a long way short of 1944.
By: Ross_McNeill - 3rd February 2014 at 12:57
Hi Andy,
For FA accidents (and some FB that were reclassified FA later) The Form 1180 gives the engine serials fitted at the time of the accident (Cat A to E and W/R/M depending on era).
Not had a look to see if the recently released Casualty Packs have this for FB losses.
Regards
Ross
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February 3, 2014 at 12:26 pm