That’s a great help 🙂 I had not seen them before but they came in the lot that I picked up. The size was what threw me, nothing like the normal panel gauges, these are at least three times the size of those.

John, in relation to your query, yes they have an “AP” button/dial but its off to the side. I will try and sort some pics out in a moment

You’re welcome Stephen. I will pop some pics up here from time to time, and will get on with building the website to make it easier for everyone. Trying to keep all the pics grouped by restoration type ie P40, Boomerang, DC-3 etc for ease of use….

Great answers from everyone, thanks a bunch ! I would like to know the answer on the post above too re UK radials

I suppose the issue with there being a lack of engines being used in flying aircraft would come down to availability of spares. I’ve certainly got a few parts for the Hercules, some in decent quantities, others maybe one or two and know of another person who has some great parts in his collection, though neither of us own an engine….. much of the spare parts that were around seem to have been junked at some point. Cheetah spares are hard to come by over here as another example, the only things I have found along the way have all been from dismantled or scrapped engines. Maybe Anon’s suggestion is right that the US produced things in far greater numbers – the P+W 1830 being a great example with over 173,000 units made, some 30,000 more than even the Merlin….

I’m sure there must be some that could get powered up again with a bit of TLC. The Moorabbin Beaufighter engines still drip oil onto the wheels even now, though the last ground run was many many years ago….stopped by powers that be and public liability insurance no doubt…a shame, really