Spitfire Joystick/Blade

Any news? Also could I have some hi res pix please? I will PM you my email address.

Thanks fellas. As the two wee holes match, the pic kindly supplied by 682al, it seems that I may have a Harvard grip after all! Any idea what the marking CCG2912 signifies?

That CCG number does not help sadly. What you need to do is to flip the grip over and see if it has the Bowden cable guide cast in the casting…if it does it may be Hurri or Harvard. Also if the two holes on the back are fitted with stainless bolts then it is likely off a Harvard….

Thanks fellas. As the two wee holes match, the pic kindly supplied by 682al, it seems that I may have a Harvard grip after all! Any idea what the marking CCG2912 signifies?

Hello Jonny
Does your grip have a break lever?
If not, then it might not be a Hurricane.
Regards,
Herbert

Came across a warehouse of boxed spectacle type grips a few years ago- thought they were lanc – close, Shack….

all sold to fund a house deposit!

TT

Sold on eBay? I think I must have bought one off you – complete, but disassembled. It went together beautifully.

I was once presented with a mint Beaufighter/Blenheim yoke. The chap who gave it to me said he and his school pals used to get them from a disused factory somewhere in Wales.

“There was hundreds of ’em, still in boxes” 😮

4. Finally, the grip has two small holes drilled into it at 12 o’clock on the top of the side facing the pilot. The holes are approx 2 cm apart and empty. Can anyone please tell me what they were for?

If the holes match those on the bracket of the grip here, then I’d say it’s almost certain you have a Harvard spade grip.

There’s been lots of discussion about Canadian made Hurricane and Harvard grips on the forum – try a search for more info.

Re the screw holding the gun button in place, it’s a 4BA thread if I recall. I’d be tempted to drill only as a last resort – I’ve had dozens of spade grips, most having spent years exposed to our corrosive atmosphere and I cannot recall ever having to drill one out. Just give the whole area a good drenching in releasing fluid.

And I wouldn’t worry about the missing “tread” either. It adds character in my opinion. I’ve only ever repaired it when it’s been a case of almost complete renewal anyway.

Chaps,

I have a Hurricane spade grip that I purchased from a Canadian source. It is in good condition and I am content that it is totally original, but I would like to restore it to its former glory and mount it on a wooden stand.

To this end I have a couple or four questions and wondered if anyone can help please.

1. The brass gun button appears to be held in by a single brass(?) screw. This screw is proving to be a bit a ‘whatsit’ to remove. If I need to drill it out it, is it possible to find a suitable replacement?
2. The grip has two small areas where the black plastic(?) surface has rubbed through to the webbing underneath. Can anyone recommend a way to restore this?
3. It has traces of what looks like silver paint on the metal work. Can anyone provide a steer as to what colour it was or should be?
4. Finally, the grip has two small holes drilled into it at 12 o’clock on the top of the side facing the pilot. The holes are approx 2 cm apart and empty. Can anyone please tell me what they were for?

Thanks in advance

Jonny

Came across a warehouse of boxed spectacle type grips a few years ago- thought they were lanc – close, Shack….

all sold to fund a house deposit!

TT

Spit grips rare try finding a Lanc control yoke

You think Spitfire grips are rare, they are but try finding a Lancaster control yoke, they are even harder to find!! 😉

Hello TT
You are right, but all three are partly damaged and incomplete.
I once had a nice KG 13A. It was complete, missing only one small screw.
Two years I was running around to get a correct screw but I couldn´t find.
“Linsenkopfschrauben” are veeeery rare these days.
So I save my money for a complete one.
Regards,
Herbert

Lens head screw – DIN85. We couldnt find them for our German aircraft restorations, so we made them – expensive, but accurate! Let me know if there are any sizes you need.

Bruce

Interesting stuff…. as with everything these days I cant see me adding to my Harvard, B-5 and 1935 Hawker Fury grips – simply too much money involved!

Zoiks!

ATB

TT

Hello TT
You are right, but all three are partly damaged and incomplete.
I once had a nice KG 13A. It was complete, missing only one small screw.
Two years I was running around to get a correct screw but I couldn´t find.
“Linsenkopfschrauben” are veeeery rare these days.
So I save my money for a complete one.
Regards,
Herbert

@BATTLE-RELICS
My advice: Keep your spade grip as a retirement pension insurance.
See:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260081262870&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Fcgiurl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcgi.ebay.co.uk%252Fws%252F%26fkr%3D1%26from%3DR8%26satitle%3D260081262870%26category0%3D%26fvi%3D1

A nice, complete Luftwaffe KG13 you´ll get for about GBP 1000,-. When I also think about the last Spitfire undercarriage indicator for GBP 700,- I can tell you, collecting Luftwaffe stuff could be cheaper than the RAF.
Regards,
Herbert

By the looks of the last ‘lot’ Herbert you could get three grips for £800…

Still bloody expensive!

TT

Lets see how these little beauties go – too rich for my blood! 😮

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=019&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=290079832440&rd=1&rd=1

TT

Should have got this one then!

If you are able to restaurate, you could make good money with a relic like that.
Regards,
Herbert

You can still get em cheaper

@BATTLE-RELICS

A nice, complete Luftwaffe KG13 you´ll get for about GBP 1000,-. When I also think about the last Spitfire undercarriage indicator for GBP 700,- I can tell you, collecting Luftwaffe stuff could be cheaper than the RAF.
Regards,
Herbert

Should have got this one then !

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200072786494&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=010

I think the whole prices of these things is getting ridiculous £1300 for a late spit spade grip, have people lost their minds !

To the original question…

£1327.

Some corrosion resulting in lifting and cracking the hard rubber moulding and not including a Spitfire top section.

Mark

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260081262870&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=016

Always makes me suspicious when I see a German grip cut off like one of those has, usually done to disguise a Mig top. Not sure about the other two though ! still Caveat Emptor !!!!

You are right, you can get carefully prepared MIG grips as Luftwaffe at the market. So before you buy one you have to take a closer look to the inside, looking for filled slits once cut for the MIG´s brake lever.
The factory producing KG 13 was situated at the eastern part of Germany, so they started making MIG grips after the war.
Herbert

@BATTLE-RELICS
My advice: Keep your spade grip as a retirement pension insurance.
See:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260081262870&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Fcgiurl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcgi.ebay.co.uk%252Fws%252F%26fkr%3D1%26from%3DR8%26satitle%3D260081262870%26category0%3D%26fvi%3D1

A nice, complete Luftwaffe KG13 you´ll get for about GBP 1000,-. When I also think about the last Spitfire undercarriage indicator for GBP 700,- I can tell you, collecting Luftwaffe stuff could be cheaper than the RAF.
Regards,
Herbert

Always makes me suspicious when I see a German grip cut off like one of those has, usually done to disguise a Mig top. Not sure about the other two though ! still Caveat Emptor !!!!