Merlin III data plate

The small buff coloured card is a compass correction card for Spitfire P8640 the following website has this to say about the machine:

The following is what the RAF Museum sent about the plane:
“Probably named after the village of Aberford, West Yorkshire, Mk. Vb P8640 was taken on charge at No.6 MU Brize Norton on 2 June 1941 and delivered on the 26th to No.609 (West Riding) Sqn at Biggin Hill, engaged on sweeps and bomber escort operations. These duties continued with its transfer on 6 September to No.92 (East India) Sqn, also at Biggin Hill, until being sent to No.610 (County of Chester) Sqn at Leconfield on 15 November for convoy patrols.

On 26 March 1942 Plt Off S. Lanunski P0419 (Polish) of No.1 Delivery Flight collided with a stationary lorry on the arrow perimeter track at Kidlington, being unable to zig-zag in the usual manner in order to see ahead. Although the damage was only classed as Category A, it was flown to No.1 Civilian Repair Unit later the same day for repairs, returning to No.6 MU Brize Norton on 1 June to be despatched on the 20th to High Ercall.

On 12 September it was allocated to No.308 (Polish) Sqn at Heston, but as this unit was away at armament practice camp, it joined No.302 (Polish) Sqn also at Heston, coded WX-G, engaged on sweeps and bomber escort duties. On 8 November P8640 was Category B damaged while being flown by Flg Off E. Horbaczewski P0273 when it was struck by the propeller of W3702 (WX-A Category A, Plt Off M. Muszynski P2011) while returning from Circus 235. Both aircraft returned safely to Heston where W3702 was repaired on site and P8640 sent on the 17th to Air Service Training for repair, awaited collection on 8 February 1943 then delivered to No.15 MU at Wroughton on the 20th.

On 13 May it was sent to Vickers for fuel system modifications, being delivered to No.33 MU Lyneham on 21 June, then returned two days later to No.15 MU Wroughton, being issued on 7 July to No.416 (RCAF) Sqn at Digby for Ramrod and Rodeo operations. It was taken to No.3501 Servicing Unit at Cranfield on 15 July, returning to No.416 Sqn three days later only to be involved in a minor accident on the 20th and repaired on site. It had joined No.2 Tactical Exercise Unit at Grangemouth by 9 November, when the engine failed and a forced landing was made, Category B damage being repaired at a civilian repair unit. It is next recorded with No.186 Sqn at Tain on 10 February 1944. This unit was renumbered No.130 (Punjab) Sqn at Lympne on 3 April and began operating bomber escort duties and also patrols.

On return from a patrol on 28 April Flt Sgt C.H.T. Clay swung on landing to avoid an overshoot and hit a floodlight post, Category Ac damage being repaired on site by 23 May. P8640 was then sent to Scottish Aviation at Prestwick on 8 June, to be waiting for collection on 15 July and delivered to No.8 MU Little Rissington on the 25th. The aircraft was despatched on 2 May 1945 to No.6 MU Brize Norton, from where it joined No.1 Air Gunnery School at Pembrey two days later. On 15 June it was relegated to No.33 MU Lyneham, being despatched on 4 September to Portsmouth Aviation to be struck off charge six days later.”

Information taken from:
http://www.parlington.co.uk/locations.lasso?process=9&subProcess=local6

Just found this thread, I have found a contemporary news report on the loss of Hurricane L1593 of 79Sqn on 20th June 1939.
Western Daily Press 21st June 1939
‘PLANE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
During a heavy thunderstorm yesterday a single-seater hurricane fighter, apparently struck by lightning in the air crashed at Ditchling Common, Sussex. The pilot, Sergeant. Leonard Frank Davis, R.A.F was killed instantly. The machine hit the ground at about 400 miles per hour, and the engine buried itself in the earth at a depth of about 50 feet. Wreckage was strewn for hundreds of yards around. The pilot, had apparently attempted to escape by parachute, but in its fall the machine, it is assumed, caught and severed it from his body. It was found some distance away from the machine. The pilot fell almost on top the aeroplane.

Hello Dave,

Any chance of seeing any pictures? I for one would be very interested.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

battles

Hi Malcolm , happy to help i have being piecing a battle cockpit together for quite a few years now , am about to commit alot of funds to get it moving a bit quicker to completion .

cheers dave

Hello Dave,

Thank you very much for posting your picture.

Having compared it alongside mine I find it to be 100% the same in every detail!

This proves that mine ‘could’ have been fitted to a Battle – leaving the door open on other types, ie Spitfire I which ‘may’ have used an identical plate?

Anyhow your evidence is proof enough for me. I would be interested in hearing other Forum members opinions.

Why my interest in Battles?

I have been researching certain individuals who flew Battles with the AASF in France during 1939/40, all of whom were awarded medals for gallantry during the campaign. I have found it impossible to separate the ‘man’ from the ‘machine’ and as a result I have developed a fascination for the Fairey Battle. I have wanted to own a small artifact to compliment my other interests for some time. Well it now looks like I might have it!

I lack knowledge, in respect of the technical aspects of aeroplanes, therefore I am extremely grateful to all those Forum members who have taken time and made effort to help me, especially Dave who would seem to have solved the mystery!

Kind regards, Malcolm.

Battle engine limits plate

Hi Malcolm as promised here is my battle engine plate for merlin III , 100% battle still attached to cockpit side wall.

Malcolm why the interest in battles.

cheers dave

Thanks Mike.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

As for the Spitfire Mk1 being ruled out,your data plate
matches everything from the oil temp to pressure,rpm etc.
The only thing missing,is the notes state not to take it past
3600 RPM in a dive!!
So for what its worth the Mk1,is still on the table…but thats
not to say…..
Regards Mike

Hello Mike,

Thank you for the interesting reply.

If I compare your data to that given on Merlin III data plate I illustrated would I be looking at something very similar? Or is the Spitfire 1 now ruled out?

I have very little technical knowledge of engines etc and would appreciate any opinions!

Kind regards, Malcolm.

Spitfire Mk 1 Pilots Notes state
..During Running up.
a/ Open up (in fine pitch) to full throttle.ensure that there are TWO
men holding down the tail.
Check -Boost =6 1/4 IB/SQ.IN
RPM -Rotol airscrew 2750-2550

-de Havilland airscrew 2500-2600
Then ..
Limiting operational conditions

Takeoff (up to 1000 ft or for 3 minutes ) Merlin II Merlin III

MAXIMUM RPM 2850 3000
MAXIMUM RPM AT MAX BOOST
(+6 1/4 lb/sq.in) 2080 2080
Hope this helps a very interesting thread.
Regards Mike

Andy,

More than you realise! I now know the difference between an engine and cockpit data plate!

Kind regards, Malcolm.

Pete

Indeed so! Hence my subsequent edited clarification. As you say, the engine plate carries the engine number – not so the cockpit plate.

That said, back-tracking to the aircraft serial/history from the engine number can be pretty nigh on impossible.

Unless you have a secret list hidden away, Pete…..!!!

Unfortunately not Andy! I wish there was a database because much of the info is there, as you say, back to front.
What I really meant was that if a crashed data plate comes to light, it is often possible to trace back to where it came from, whereas anything without an ID is just that.
Peter Kirk at RRHT does include notes on the engine number lists so that if it is associated with an aircraft, subsequent enquiries will get that info, which only leaves the 100,000 odd other aircraft to choose from!

Pete

A pleasure, MJW – although I doubt very much that my meagre input has really added greatly to the sum total of your knowledge!

Andy / Pete,

Many thanks for your extremely interesting posts.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

Pete

Indeed so! Hence my subsequent edited clarification. As you say, the engine plate carries the engine number – not so the cockpit plate.

That said, back-tracking to the aircraft serial/history from the engine number can be pretty nigh on impossible.

Unless you have a secret list hidden away, Pete…..!!!

Andys plate is from the engine, not the cockpit, and has the engine number on it.
I wish they were all that easy!

Pete

Malcolm.

This is from a Hurricane I of 79 Squadron (L1593) lost in an accident on 20 June 1939.

I also have a photo showing the aftermath of the loss of this aircraft which, unfortunately, claimed the life of Sgt L F Davis RAFVR 740358.

Andy,

It would seem that the data on your plate is very similar. Do you know what aircraft your plate originated from?

Kind regards, Malcolm.

Merlin II

Continuing with a variation on a theme…..

Here is a Merlin II data plate in my collection. Apologies for scan quality.

(Probably just worth pointing out that this an engine plate rather than a cockpit limitations plate.)

Hello Pete,

Engraved very small on the back of the plate is the following code:

D10812

Hope this helps!

Kind regards, Malcolm.