Assistance required in identifying a spitfire spinner

On a whim, I searched RA690 – which was the reference I noted on some jablo blades attached to a hub assembly at the gate of a long defunct scrap dealer (Dixons Scrap Yard) in Melton Mowbray in the late 60’s.(Hell, that long ago!!) The dealers family told me that these were the remains of 30 or so originating from closure of RAF Melton Mowbray around 1946! In addition, I saw several single blades inside the yard, But for personal family reasons, as the elderly Mrs Dixon told me, none were for sale. All were bulldozed before the closure of the yard, much to my horror. The B of B flight were interested but only only for potential static use.
It was not to be. Oddly, the reference has stuck in my mind since then as ‘RA690 /R’. I imagined this assembly and broad chord blades as being either ex Spitfire V, Halifax ll or V as RAF Melton Mowbray hosted many, many types.
It’s fascinating to find something solid about these!
By coincidence, recently (10/06) I passed by the HQ of 1279Sqn ATC at Melton and saw the Shackleton Front Propellor Assy. that Sgt Tony Paphiti and I assembled from componentswith some difficulty on a couple of trestles in 1970, still adorning the entrance wall. Now polished bare metal and on a mount -it has a nicely machined but non-authentic boss and would look superb with your authentic Shack Spinner!

Thanks that is superb just what I was looking for.

Cheers

Jeremy

Ask and you shall receive.

Mk. II, DH 5/39A Prop, DP55409/B Blades, P30100A/2 or P30110A/2 Spinner
Mk II, Rotol RX5/1 Prop, RA640* Blades, ES/4 Spinner
Mk.II, Rotol RX5/3 Prop, RA675+ Blades, ES/5 Spinner
Mks.II & V, Rotol RX5/10 Prop, RA690+ or RA10049+ Blades, ES/11 Spinner
Mk.V, DH 5/39 Prop, DP55409/B Blades, P30100A/2 or P30110A/2 Spinner
Mk.V, DH 45/4 Prop, DP45409/B Blades, P30510A/B/1 Spinner
Mk.V, Rotol RX5/14 Prop, RA690+ or RA10049+ Blades, ES/11 Spinner
Mk.V, Rotol R55/24 Prop, RA690+ or RA10049+ Blades, ES/11 Spinner

* Magnesium Blades
+ Jablo Blades

Anne

Thanks again guys, its great to have such a wealth of knowledge in one spot for once. Other forums I have found take days for a response (Thanks for the reference to the site OldSpitty)

Hmm the counter – contra thing it is likely similar how we call tires tires here and across the pond its a tyre. No wonder the English Language confuses the hell out of those trying to learn it as a 2nd language LOL.

Back on to the topic does anyone have any Rotol part#’s or specs for the spinner as well as the blades for the MK II and V Spit’s that they could share. I would really appreciate any assistance you provide.

Thank You again for your help in identifying the shak spinner.

Jeremy

I’d guess that it started off in English as ‘counter-rotating’ and then the cousins got hold of it and popularised ‘contra rotating’

cf.

Radio Location / Radar

Asdic / Sonar

Window / Chaff

etc etc

Moggy

Sounds like you have opposing points of view!

Moggy …

The term “counter-rotating” is a quote of the term used by ‘Beurling’ in his post/s.

Perhaps your explanation should be re-directed to him ? :rolleyes:

.

Not directed at anyone – merely a point of interest.

Moggy

Counter/Contra

The Griffon 57a/58 AP for General and Technical Information refers to the:-

“co-axially mounted counter-rotating inner and out propeller shafts”

Mark

Hi Jeremy.Glad you found the place and “******” on the spinner.Great thing about this forum is that guys know their stuff.A lot more action that at Spitspares these days and you always learn something new here.Just don,t ask about Douglas Bader……..

Counter rotating is where the propeller on one engine goes clockwise and the other engine goes anticlockwise ala d h hornet with merlin 130 & 131s therefore having no tourque effect .

mick

More often called contra-rotating.

Moggy & Mick,

Thanks for that, but i am quite well versed in what makes a Shackleton tick.

The term “counter-rotating” is a quote of the term used by ‘Beurling’ in his post/s.

Perhaps your explanation should be re-directed to him ? :rolleyes:

.

Thats right, they are.

3 blades go one way, and another 3 behind go the other way = counter rotating !

Counter rotating is where the propeller on one engine goes clockwise and the other engine goes anticlockwise ala d h hornet with merlin 130 & 131s therefore having no tourque effect .

mick

More often called contra-rotating.

Rob P

It is interesting that it is off of a Shakelton as I was under the impression they were griffon powered with the counter rotating gear boxes (6 blades).

Thats right, they are.

3 blades go one way, and another 3 behind go the other way = [quote] “counter rotating” !

Thank you for your help guys, I was dubius when I looked at it but the dimensions looked fairly close to the MKV 3 bladed rotol spinner including the locking mechanism on the spinner to the backing plate. The Hawker Sidley part# through me though as it was not DH or Rotol, but you never know as the veterans stopping by inform me no particular part was definitively spitfire as each one was different off the floor.

It is interesting that it is off of a Shakelton as I was under the impression they were griffon powered with the counter rotating gear boxes (6 blades).

Also just a shot in the dark but I am looking for an early style rotol prop blade for a spitfire to use as a pattern to have new blades built if anyone has any info on the whereabouts of one please contact me at [email]info@fighterwerks.com[/email]

Cheers

Jeremy

well couldve helped there….a chap brought one in ISYN to the museum about 2 years ago as hidden by his dad in an MU truck coming back from N Africa – we identified it, cleaned it for him and hoped he’d put it on display….no such luck…:(

TT

If anyone’s got one from a 109G I’ll take it off their hands!

There were a load arounf about 10-12 years ago for £50-60 a pop. $4.5K might be a bit excessive!

Looks like its suffering from the ‘Its British, must be from a Spitfire’ syndrome!

I’ve got a load of Viscount ones if anyone can use them!

Bruce

LOonks in nice condition though still worth saving.

Yours for $4,500 USD on Barnstormers!

Shack front spinner..

mick

looks shackleton to me