Vickers Armstrong "works plate" Spitfire I

Thanks Mark

..yes I see that I reversed the number and letter in my last post! Obviously I have got the “racer” on the brain 🙂 Cheers

Darryl

6S rather than S6.

6S applies to Supermarine operations…basically Southhampton and the shadow factories radiating out from there.

Mark

Thanks again gents. Some wonderful ideas/information.

Ok. So now I am confused :). No disrespect or offense to anybody (and as I have said, I am no stranger to the vast variation in inspectors markings and manufacturing codes/markings, albeit in relation to weapons) but the following questions arise:

1. I see the SAST mark and can use my birthdate as the number, but where, then, does the “S6” come in? I also see the SERIAL number is prefixed “S6” is this perhaps related to the inspector?

2. Numbers only for inspectors….but then crash plate (wing) above appears to show “7V2” as the inspector number? (the exception that proves the rule?) It is also, maybe, a subcontractor plate and therefore a little differently numbered/coded? … the “works” code for instance looks like it is probably A7B ??

3. Issue : YWWU. Any clue as to the meaning/origin of this code? Is it a batch code, issuing officer’s initials, etc etc…

I sincerely appreciate all of the help and comments Gents!!

Darryl

….That said if the VACB inspector had to transfer down south to one of the dispersal factories then yes you would see that type of stamp on a Supermarine build plate/part and vice versa, my own grandfather had a 6S stamp and would have used it on a VACB plate/part when he was transferred from Southampton to Birmingham.

That’s interesting. Having no connection with the aircraft construction industry myself, does that mean an inspector would have a specific stamp number (and company prefix) for the duration he was employed in that roll by the company? Prior to your post I would have assumed a transfer would have involved taking up a new stamp at the new location so the stampings still reflected the factory where the part was made/inspected.

Meanwhile… For the correct Supermarine Southampton Works (Woolston,) Inspection Stamp…
try this:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]230575[/ATTACH]

and the three ### should be the individual Inspector’s identification number. (They always used numbers – not letters… at least during my 40 odd years as an inspector in the Aviation Industry!)

Ah, yes, of course. The Spitfire I’s I’m aiming at predated Castle Bromwich production!! Thanks. I will use 6S and put “DEH” under it (my initials). That should look OK.

I must admit, after years of scrutinising acceptance/inspection marks on bayonets and rifles to establish authenticity, it goes against the grain to “make-up” a stamp…but no-one will ever mistake my sim for the real thing..so no harm done.

regards

Darryl

Hi Darryl,

Make note those stamps would be more at home on a Castle Bromwich build plate (VACB) rather than the Supermarine plate your seeking, the stamps would read “6S“

That said if the VACB inspector had to transfer down south to one of the dispersal factories then yes you would see that type of stamp on a Supermarine build plate/part and vice versa, my own grandfather had a 6S stamp and would have used it on a VACB plate/part when he was transferred from Southampton to Birmingham.

Jason

Regards

Jason

Thank you sir!

I should be able to make a decent impression of that.

cheers

Darryl

And just in case… here are the types of Inspection Stamps:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]230561[/ATTACH]

Many thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello PM sent

Thanks Jason,

That is great. Do you have them for sale? If not can I ask where? The idea of buying it rather than putting my mate to the trouble for the “two tone” is attractive.

Presumably they are in fact stamped then? And the one in the cockpit would be a fuselage assembly drawing number rather than an aircraft serial…..

That is no problem I have all those numbers and can do a close approximation.

Thanks again for the prompt reply.

Darryl

HI

This is an original one but from a wing assembly as denoted by the 30008 number

[ATTACH=CONFIG]230560[/ATTACH]

This is a new blank one which are for sale, as per the originals.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]230559[/ATTACH]

Hope the above helps

Regards

Jason