Defiant Column and Grip

Defiant columns

Thanks.
Both have the holes drilled in them for the call light box so i`m assuming that the Dunlop grip was a Mk1 Defiant which was converted to a nightfighter ?
It would be nice to get a call light box but i haven`t had any luck finding one so far but i live in hope.

BS :rolleyes:

Very nice pair you have there BS :).

Rob

Defiant columns

Here are my two Defiant columns,the one on the left is a Dunlop patent grip and the one on the right is the later mag alloy type.

Here is my complete Defiant firing button assembly with brass fire/safe ring and bakelite firing button.

Sorry for the poor photos, photography isn`t my strong suit.
BS 😀

Here one i dug up with the gun button from a Mk1 Defiant N3291 all be it a little battle damaged, but i do have the selector box….Nick you need to look harder:diablo:

Its a grass safe/fire selector with with a bakelite gun button. Hope this helps

Photo ban

I was at the RAFM (MBCC) centre on Monday and they said the same thing, well, they said we could take photo’s for our own amusement but not for publishing. The reason? Because they have people/companies who take photo’s, publish them but pay for the privilege. They want exclusivity and the RAFM (and others) are prepared to let them have it as it brings in valuable funds.

I called in to Hawarden airfield last year and visited the hangar where a company was doing the overhaul on the BBMF Chipmunk. They wouldn’t allow photo’s either for the reason that this was one of the stipulations of getting the contract, that there were no pictures taken by anyone other than the company themselves.

Anon.

I had a good look over the RAFM Defiant a few months ago when it was at Rochester, but cannot recall seeing the attachments to the spade grip. But I could be wrong, and I am afraid that photos were banned. I really would have liked to get a photo of the cockpit and wonderfully restored turret, and it just seems odd that it was banned – especially given this is owned by the nation (partly by me, then!) and in a national museum but I am sure RAFM must have their reasons – and it was nothing to do with the super guys at MAPS.

I know there are some Rochester MAPS connected people who visit here, and they might be able to comment on the control colum configuration and whether the knurled ring is bakelite? I don’t think it was. Or maybe they have photos?

Hi Nick, many thanks for all the information and for the links which I really enjoyed.

The hunt continues for missing parts but I think it will be some time before either of us finds them.

Nice to know there are at least two survivors, but are there others……..?

Best regards,

Simon

Hi Simon

Yes I watched the auction with interest – though I have no intention of parting with mine, which although a little battered is from Defiant N3328 – Which although it never had a particularly illustrious career became famous as the subject of just about every Defiant model made!

Here are are a few comparison photos, including the stamping on the switchbox cover, which I though might be of interest – mine is also missing the gun button (we searched long & hard!) certainly if the ring was bakelite as you mention, it would explain its loss.

[ATTACH]210234[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]210235[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]210236[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]210237[/ATTACH]

Thanks JDH, it’s very nice of you to point it out. I believe the Defiant may have had a Bakelite rim to it but a lovely piece and I will certainly try and buy it.

Best regards,

Simon

A shot in the dark but I’m missing part of the firing button. Any leads?

saw this firning button ring on the bay and though it might interest you,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Spade-grip-Gun-Button-/321035657033?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item4abf375f49

Ah, it all makes sense now although the phrase “Overkill” does spring to mind.

Comet Guy, the Switchbox is the box in the middle with the red and green switches.

Thanks Gentlemen, as always your support and input is much appreciated.

Best regards,

Simon

Here you go lanners55….

is the call box the red and green parts?

I chased it …..but it was too rich (at the mo’) you got a bargain imho. The call box was to allow the pilot to communicate with the gunner I thought (esp if there was comms failure). But I could be wrong tho!