Nice trio Ian, the early one bears a striking resemblance to the grip used on the X-15 too!
My photo in #550 was in part saved because I was trying to find a usage for this:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]225825[/ATTACH] It too has similarities with your grip Tony, the trim switch mainly. but this is from the FJ-3 Fury, (A/C from 136118 onward, previous aircraft didn’t have the bomb/rocket release facility), so were working up through the development of the aircraft. Here is the next step up, the FJ-4 [ATTACH=CONFIG]225826[/ATTACH] I think the U.S. Navy used more exciting stick grips than their Air Force counterparts sticking with pretty anonymous B8’s!

Martyn

GYD

Not sure as to the original pictures and queeries re. turret and prop but, the canopy in post #8 certainly looks like a FAW1 Sea Vixen for sure. Possibly ex- RNAY Belfast?

GYD

Hi there Mr Phixer!

That is certainly interesting to know and thank you for your reply, you learn something every day, cheers!
Do you know roughly how many airframes may have been subjected to this mod? And more importantly, are you able to confirm/inform us all of the specific purpose of the switch selection modes in crl848’s original post?

Regards,

Martyn

GYD

The HOTAS top (pt no 53-79021-11) was fitted to a limited number of FGR.2 airframes post Feb 91 as part of Mod 920.

Hi Martin,

Go straight to the London Gazette with his name/number etc, a quick search pulled this:
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/1939-03-15;1948-12-31/exact=Polland;event=world-war-ii/start=1

This gives a starting point and there should be a citation, hopefully! If not, try Jonathan Collins (I have used his services several times) at: http://www.militaryresearchon.com/

Martyn

GYD

Hi Dave,
Good question, well presented, not sure! However, all T7 cockpits and pictures I have seen (no doubt someone will prove otherwise) have always had the gun button switch fitted, that’s not to say it was ever operational as such, as Jon stated the same style grip was fitted to other aircraft and as such stock items fitted and adapted accordingly, I’m sure however, that it operated a cine camera, (Don’t want to let all those National Service fella’s loose with real guns do we??) so my ‘£’ is still Meteor T7.

Martyn

GYD

hi Martyn, thats a good point. But what about the gun button – was the T7 ever armed?

Dave

Ian,
I would argue a more appropriate word would be pricey!:confused:

I also have some grips that seem to suffer with that oxidisation but, not every B8 suffers such fate it seems?? My OV1 Mohawk grip seems particularly prone though!

GYD

Nice but ‘salty’!

Hi Herbert,

Just for your info, the Nav (compass) display you have there is the type that is situated in the rear Navigators position but it looks the part all the same. I had one for a time in my Lightning cockpit before the correct one eventually materialised. You have done well obtaining the instruments you have so far and in such a short period of time but, finding the grip that quickly was brilliant, not many appear on e-bay that was an excellent buy, well done! Cross your fingers for an instrument crate mate and good luck with the project.

Regards,

Martyn

GYD

Hi Herbert,

I am not sure what the trigger below the weapons release is either, I’m sure it won’t be long before someone will enlighten us! However, the numbers you are referring to are on the underside of the grip I take it? They should read something like: ACM 22579, an issue number (ISS 3 for example), then the serial number of the grip itself then a drawing number (mine is 568). I am not sure when these numbers are/were applied in the grips life but, there should be a small elongated plate between those two screw holes at the base in your picture. These are different numbers but are added by the manufacturer of the grip and the most commonly used identification plate for collectors. (Buccaneer Mk 2 AC61540 and Buccaneer Mk1 AC62916, 27J 740). However, it is not uncommon for these numbers to vary between issues throughout service life and upgrading modification states. The Mk1 grip is totally different to the Mk2 being similar in style to your Javelin grip.

The two 27J numbers are ‘old and new’ NATO stock numbers for the grip. and are often painted onto the grip or indeed engraved by hand. 27J however is the NATO stores reference classification for ‘Handle, Aircraft Control’ All aircraft control grips certainly mid 60’s onward would be classified with that prefix in the stores system.
Just for info, if you see grips with a similar identification plate bearing the letters FV and five numbers, this refers to Fighting Vehicle and would be fitted to such, e.g. tank firing handles etc. I have seen grips marked as such advertised as ‘unknown aircraft control grip’ so take care!

B8 grips pop up all the time and range in price from £50 – £150 beware the ‘geniune F86’ ads though, they rarely are!!!

Regards,

Martyn

GYD