(photo’s added)Does anyone have any more information on this aircraft. BM647 a MK VB Spit with an Merlin MK anything from a 45 to a 55. I am looking for exactly what engine was in it so I can then look for information on that particular Merlin.
Does anyone know any good reference book on Merlins.
Any info on this spit is appreciated.
We have found the crash site for this aircraft and the bottom part of the engine in waterlogged sunken pit.
Other parts found on the day were electrical connections, perspex, and lots of molten metal.
Interested in this aircraft as it is the biggest single part we have found in our area yet.
Regards Scott
First pic is of the collected bit and pieces we found on the surface while at the site. The other 2 are of the crank case and shaft. No cylinder head units found yet.
By: allan125 - 7th December 2005 at 22:37
BM647
Hello Scott
I have “Defeat to Victory” the unofficial history of 453 Squadron RAAF and it does not show BM647 amongst the serials allocated to the squadron (it lists all known squadron aircraft codes and serials from the Brewster Buffalos in the Far East up to the post-war Spitfire XIV’s) – I know from M&S that it shows FACE on 28-8-42, which I presume is Sgt D H Steele of Heathpool, South Australia. Born Adelaide 20 April 1922 – Killed in flying accident 28 August 1942. The only statement being “Sgt David Steele was killed when he crashed near the base on 28 August”, the base of course being Drem.
Why the serial is missing from the list I have no idea as it is based on the ORB – Unfortunately that part of the 453 Squadron does not appear to be digitised and available on screen from the National Archives of Australia (unless someone can advise otherwise) – the ORB on line appears to be from Malaya, including some interesting handwritten stuff and from about October 1943 and covers the period in 125 Wing (hence my interest). 🙂
cheers
Allan
By: Merlin3945 - 4th December 2005 at 21:21
Hi Guys thanks for the info.
Regards the engine. Hopefully we will be able to get a better look at it when we are next up. A couple more bodies should be able to roll it onto it side and see if there are any data plates. Does anyone know of there are any data plates on the crank case or indeed any stamp marking on the casting that would let me know what Merlin it was. If there is then when I get the AM78 it should tell me what it was built with and then if the stamp markings are different then I will know it had been changed.
Once again thanks lads.
By: EN830 - 4th December 2005 at 10:52
A.M. Form 78, should tell you what type of engine, it may even tell you the engine number. However this won’t help if the engine had been changed on site by the unit 453 Squadron.
By: Rocketeer - 4th December 2005 at 10:15
a 45 I wouldve thought
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December 4, 2005 at 3:49 am