Spitfire survivor?

I,m not betting my life on it but I reckon it,s part of the magazine trigger release.Looks real close to it on the drawing.And the silver(Aluminium)paint means it,s internal structure,not in the cockpit.The wear and tear would be from the erks shifting the magazines in and out of the wing.Did you get anything else from the dig??

Thanks for trying – the reason I was asking was I could not see how what appeared at first to be a cockpit related item and ended up where we found it – but your theory would explain it – from the mag reading & what we have found on the spot, I am pretty sure the 20mm is still in there.

We know from documents that the engine was removed, though it was reported as totally smashed. We are getting good mag hits on the main crater too, so hoping for some good finds – prop hub, U/C legs etc probably.

Have been waiting four months now for the permit & dig is set for mid July – so will report on it then. In the meantime attached is the result of last years dig on another MkV – BL585 😀

I,m not betting my life on it but I reckon it,s part of the magazine trigger release.Looks real close to it on the drawing.And the silver(Aluminium)paint means it,s internal structure,not in the cockpit.The wear and tear would be from the erks shifting the magazines in and out of the wing.Did you get anything else from the dig??

Stuart check drawing 33162-5-G.The lever in it looks close??

There is at least one number in front of the “162” and on closer inspection it does appear to be a “3” if this helps?

Stuart check drawing 33162-5-G.The lever in it looks close??

Nick, if you think that the lever is from the wing area, might it be a gun c*cking lever , and the wear on the end, from that operation, or else an U/C indicator, that protruded through the top of the wing. only guesses I’m afraid.

What is it?

Ummm is it a lever??Part number might help.Possibly a fuel **** lever or a part of the drop tank release lever on a Spit.Guys??

Thanks OldSpitty – My thoughts were control lever of some sort, but it came from a major magnetometer contact found some several feet from the main crater. We did a small test pit on it & all the parts appeared to be wing related incl a 18 inch long section of main spar – The final part before we filled in was the gas connector for a 20mm Hispano with parts still going down & the mag hit still very strong 😀

We know from the board of enquiry report that one wing struck the ground first, so we think from the evidence, we have found this spot.

Typically the markings are not clear as the item came from close to the surface – I can make out “162 99” and a letter N? in a circle next to “CH”. Finally a very small circle with what looks like “88” over “172” within it.

The piece of frame? it is attached to still bears silver painted finish and the end of the lever is bent over at 90 degrees (not damage) and show obvious signs of wear from regular handling?

Does this help?

Ummm is it a lever??Part number might help.Possibly a fuel **** lever or a part of the drop tank release lever on a Spit.Guys??

BL688

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Basically a part built new build fuselage with an original data plate, one of several that were constructed in the ‘Oxford Area’.

Yes the skeletal fuselage, un-plated, was destroyed by fire. There was no loss to provenance original material.

Mark

Mark – what we need to establish is whether the data plate was ever fitted to the new build fuselage even to mark the rivet holes ! By my reckoning if it even touched
the new build example that is provenance !

David,

Picking up the odd thread in my absence.

By ‘un-plated’ I mean without skin, not without data plate.

It is a flying boat and ship building thing.

Mark

BL688

Interesting responses – I thought it must be a Typo? But it seems not :confused: – However where did the data plate come from – I have done some research and I am certain that the site has not been excavated since the 1945 recovery of the pilot and remains of the engine.

Two groups have previously conducted MD surveys – one found nothing and the other not much more – certainly no data plate! The 1180 is one of the many MkV ones missing, but I do have the 78 – very interesting history – from Jan 1942 to May 45 it served with 132 Sqn, 610 Sqn, USAAC 335 Sqn! 501 Sqn, 316 sqn, then 41 OTU & finally 58 OTU – Must be a few stories in that lot – I see many happy hours of research ahead 😀

Anyone recognise this bit please?

Mark – what we need to establish is whether the data plate was ever fitted to the new build fuselage even to mark the rivet holes ! By my reckoning if it even touched
the new build example that is provenance !

BL688

Basically a part built new build fuselage with an original data plate, one of several that were constructed in the ‘Oxford Area’.

Yes the skeletal fuselage, un-plated, was destroyed by fire. There was no loss to provenance original material.

Mark