Mr M,

Surely, you mean the damage done with .303’s rather than the .50 Cal?? That indeed, is my only criticism of the film as the A/C in question was only armed with the .303’s.

Perhaps even using the same gun(s) that were dug up in Ireland a few years ago and aptly demonstrated after their restoration, could have been a good (factual) demonstration??

But, even better, wouldn’t the damage done by a 20mm cannon, a better visual effect?? Oh! I forgot, H&S zealots may have curtailed that interesting chapter!

Just a thought,

GYD

trumper, it may well be scrapped? Would be a shame if it was.

Just watched it on the player thing, a good programme. The one big issue I have is why the .50cal? The programme is about an a/c with .303s?
I would love to see the damage done with a .50 rather than a .303.

Just tried that thread above again and it went ‘not listed’ but the contact address was : [email]ebay@rays-tek.com[/email] perhaps that’s worth a punt?

GYD

just been on www192.com they list the address as:

Unit 2
Cross street
Biddulph
Stoke on Trent
Staffs
ST6 4PU
Tel: 01782 511 567

Ian,

Is that ‘Meteor’ grip at the museum or, now residing within the Hipkiss collection?? It looks to me to be a ‘mock-up’ for a display perhaps?
The 206 grip is interesting too, all the Jetranger’s I’ve had close contact with, as memory serves, have had the ‘long’ NAF 1173 fitted rather than a B8, no reason not to fit one though I suppose?

Martyn

Cheers John,

it’s such a neat job, you can’t see the join!

Martyn

GYD

Hi Alan,
Not quite sure of the ‘official’ B8/B8A differences other than possibly the manufacturers of the grip differed, eg. Mason, Bendix and Guardian Electric etc. perhaps they tried to differentiate but, this grip is also referred to as the MC2 grip by Guardian. All, (I will stand corrected by those more knowledgeable), USAF ‘Jets’ using this grip, have the amphenol adapter fitted, whereas those fitted to the rotary winged machines do not, this too could be the reason for the difference perhaps?

It then becomes a little more confusing as the U.S.Navy did use grips without the amphenol adaptor on their jets but, fortunately the USN usually used a grip specifically designed for the aircraft, post F9F anyway. I have contacted Guardian regarding grips in my collection and they were very helpful, could be worth a try, these can be identified by a small shield with a G stamped on the grip, usually near the top.

The grips pictured in your post though, are B6 and the trigger adjustment screws on the top and left hand side would indicate initially a wartime provenance however, the only real way is to check the wiring (if any remain) on the switches. wartime cables were fabric covered not PVC/plastic. These too, were also manufactured by several different contractors so minor variations exist. They were fitted to just about every USAAF fighter of the time, P39, P40, P47, P51 and even the P38. They sometime appear with a ‘depression’ on the top thumb switch, apparently because the switches were being ‘knocked off’ by pilots a little too eager to get airborne! The P39 grip though, is easily identifiable as it has the word ‘Cannon’ surrounding the top thumb switch.

Any help?

Martyn

GYD

Can I ask for some advice from US grip collectors/experts?

Firstly, what is the difference between the B-8 grip and the B-8-A? We have several of each in our collection and at a casual glance there is no difference in size or shape, etc apart from the various buttons which are all in the same place but look to be slightly different in design/manufacture. I can post pictures if it will help.

Secondly, is this a B-5 grip? Can anyone hazard a guess as to whether it’s of wartime manufacture or postwar? There are no stamps, or numbers to be seen on it. Which aircraft types used it?

I seem to recall a web-site that described the various American stick tops but I cannot find it now. Anyone?

Thanks in advance as always!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]231108[/ATTACH]

Further to the above, I found this:

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?108119-1950-s-60-s-Archive-Part-19-RAF-Miscellany

GYD

Indeed not, if this link gets support!

http://www.lightningpilots.com/XR713appeal.html

Let’s hope that the people who flew Lightnings can secure her – I don’t want to see it hanging upside down in a gallery in London then smelted into ingots!

GYD

I suspect the Lightning will end up as a cockpit project

Hi Alan,

Here’s the number for Gok’s one!

AC63704

Just tried loading an image of it but, it failed for some reason!

Martyn

GYD