This is such a thorny subject and liable to invoke strong feelings.
My last panic (sadly, the correct word) resulted in me disposing of most of my instruments, all with the pre-requisite health warning. This is partly why I make replica instruments.
Recently, I have been buying post war non radioactive gauges (that utilise the same cases as WW2 instruments) and popping my faces into them. The Whirlwind panel will use a full set of replica gauges.
My pet hate is going to AJs and seeing dodgy gauges with no glasses on them and flakey paint. I have been told to f’off a few times when I suggest to the sellers that they remove them.
Before I sold off my collection, I measured the activity of them all. A few points:
1. Generally, the older the instruments, the worse the radiation – WW1 German were scary.
2. Seemingly identical gauges had very different readings. It was not always the case that the more ‘browny white’ paint the higher the reading.
3. WW2 German instruments generally had low readings.
4. Sometimes, exposed radium is used. For example, on switches, throttles etc. Off white paint can be the giveaway.
5. Russian/Soviet Jets into the early 70s used liberal exposed radium. I once saw Mig21 throttles with a ring of the stuff around the handle.
6. Thick glass is good. Dust is dodgy.
7. A crash site face, even devoid of paint, can have elevated readings.
I do wish I had known more about this when I was a kid. I used to pull instruments apart and blow the dust away, not knowing the dangers. That was over 30 years ago. I also slept between a Spitfire and a Hurricane instrument panel and was fascinated by the illumination provided by both. I am now 48 and feel that I am ‘not out of the trees’. I try not to dwell on this and the likely damage I have done.
I am not an expert by any means, but do be careful.
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