October 19, 2009 at 11:02 am
I acquired this bomb release mechanism some 27 years ago from a genuine source, it has been stored away ever since, and I am thinking of finding a new home for it, but I have no idea what would be a reasonable price to ask ( I don’t deal in aviation relics)
I can guarantee the provenance as below
On the night of the 11th/12th Feb 1941, 99 Squadron Wellington Mk1 R-LN “R”for Robert (T2888) lifted off from Newmarket on a sortie to Bremen, on board where Sgt Pilot Robinson, Sgt D N Beal, Sgt A R Clough, on return to the UK the area was found to be fogbound, after trying to locate their position for some time the aircraft finally ran out of fuel somewhere to the east of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, the order was given to abandon the aircraft and the 3 men jumped.
Later it was found that sadly Sgt A R Clough had drowned in one of the many drains and dykes of the area.
Meanwhile the empty Wellington crashed about 5 miles south of Wisbech on land near Stags Holt, the aircraft buried itself deep in the soft ground
Forty one years later I was part of the team set to recover the remains of this Aircraft, recovery continued for 3 days and the site was visited by the former pilot of R for Robert “Benny” Goodman.
Benny Goodman was on leave when “his” aircraft was used by the above crew, Sgt pilot “Benny” Goodman survived the war and eventually left the RAF as Group Captain “Benny” Goodman AFC DFC
Parts of this aircraft are on display at the Fenland Aircraft preservation museum near Wisbech, One of the propeller blades is now mounted on a plinth at the entrance to the Jockey club Newmarket (The home of 99 Squadron)
This item is a bomb release mechanism it has been sympathetically cleaned and when the two parts are fitted together the mechanisiam still operates,
Item weighs 2&3/4lb

When the stainless inner part is inserted in the carrier pressure on a lever in the top right hand side (as viewed) will cause the mechanism to work.
By: Easyrider5258 - 19th October 2009 at 14:04
The original “provenance” suggested a sortie to Bremen, with pilot Sgt Robinson plus two other named crew other crew members not mentioned in crash report on 99 Sqd website.
See link (Includes Aircraft Image)
By: Creaking Door - 19th October 2009 at 13:11
No doubting the provenance of this item in any way but wouldn’t it be very unusual to have a Wellington bomber on an operation with only three crew on board?
Personally I’d value it at about £40 – £50 but I’m no expert and I would stress that is based only on what I might be prepared to pay; others may be prepared to pay more but IMHO Wellington bits don’t seem to attract the highest prices despite their rarity. Curious too that Wellington bits are so rare since they were produced in great numbers and served for a long time with the RAF; anybody know why this is the case?