As some of you will know, the Merlin XX which we run at shows originally came from a Beaufighter IIF, R2335. When I acquired the engines, I also got this piece of undercarriage bay, which was supposedly from the same aircraft. To be honest I have not really studied it in the 20 years I`ve had it, but in fact it is important as it is probably the only surviving piece of airframe, and certainly the only piece I have, as the majority was apparently scrapped by the farmer as payment for allowing his field to be excavated.
It has the same clay on it as the engines had, which sticks to metal like concrete when dry, and the inspection stamps carry the letter B. I can`t get any part numbers from it without stripping it. I also know that the same picketing point was used on Beaufighters, but I am guessing that is an AGS part.
Apart from wanting to confirm that this is indeed from that aircraft, I would like to see exactly where it goes. I am at Legends in a few weeks and can look then, but there may well be differences as this is the same powerplant as the Lancaster (or in reality the Lanc has a Beau PP actually!) and the nacelle structure carries on into the U/C bay.
It is approximately 30″ x 18″
Any ideas?
Pete
By: Whitley_Project - 24th June 2009 at 00:52
“26/8/41. Two Beaufighters, which had achieved the rare distinction for aircraft of this type, of reaching a 240 hour inspection – the majority disintegrate long before that – were flown to Bicester for overhaul”
Priceless.
Pete
😀
By: MerlinPete - 23rd June 2009 at 22:13
No, don’t recognise the panel.
It was a tough call…the Beaufighter dig or holiday in South of France with the young lady of the day. The latter won. Mind you, that was well over 25 years ago I think. It might be a different call today….oh….I dunno, though.;) The farmer had the engines but most of the wreckage (what there was) went elsewhere. There is quite a bit still around I think.
I seem to recall at least one of the engines being with the owner of the pub at Oving.
Thanks, it is nice to know that some of it survives.
I didn`t realise the farmer had owned the engines. I had a phone call many yera ago from a chap looking to buy a sawmilling machine, and when we got chatting he turned out to be from Headhone Farm, quite a coincidence, (I am 300 miles away) he recalled the dig in detail.
The person who owned them before me had a house next to RAF Marham, I seem to recall that his brother served there. He sold all his collection to Roger Sheldrake in the next village when he divorced and Roger sold them to me. I can`t even remember his name, but I don`t think he was the pub landlord at Oving.
I do have some of the Operations Record Book from the PRO covering that period at the FIU. Apart from the tragic accident, there is an amusing comment by the CO:
“26/8/41. Two Beaufighters, which had achieved the rare distinction for aircraft of this type, of reaching a 240 hour inspection – the majority disintegrate long before that – were flown to Bicester for overhaul”
Priceless.
Pete
By: Arabella-Cox - 20th June 2009 at 21:41
No, don’t recognise the panel.
It was a tough call…the Beaufighter dig or holiday in South of France with the young lady of the day. The latter won. Mind you, that was well over 25 years ago I think. It might be a different call today….oh….I dunno, though.;) The farmer had the engines but most of the wreckage (what there was) went elsewhere. There is quite a bit still around I think.
I seem to recall at least one of the engines being with the owner of the pub at Oving.
By: MerlinPete - 20th June 2009 at 21:34
Not the only piece of airframe left, Merlin Pete! 😉
Ah, so you are back then!
I remember you saying you were on holiday when it was recovered, do you recognise the panel then?
I am quite sure it is from that aircraft, the only reason I want to confirm it is that it all went through two other owners before I had it.
Thanks for posting that pic andy. I would be interested in photos of any other parts that may have survived.
As an aside, the engine was built onto a new crankcase, but all the internals plus the blocks and wheelcase were repaired and it has since done over 120 hours running, probably more than it managed in service for those few months in 1941.
Thanks for bumping the post back up Elliott. It certainly has something to do with the spar, yes.
Pete
By: Arabella-Cox - 20th June 2009 at 19:57
Beaufighter R2335
Not the only piece of airframe left, Merlin Pete! 😉
By: Whitley_Project - 20th June 2009 at 19:22
Hi Pete – Pity no one has had a stab. It looks a bit like a pick up – possibly from the main spar? Someone should know for sure….
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June 18, 2009 at 10:33 pm