Thanks fellas. As the two wee holes match, the pic kindly supplied by 682al, it seems that I may have a Harvard grip after all! Any idea what the marking CCG2912 signifies?

Chaps,

I have a Hurricane spade grip that I purchased from a Canadian source. It is in good condition and I am content that it is totally original, but I would like to restore it to its former glory and mount it on a wooden stand.

To this end I have a couple or four questions and wondered if anyone can help please.

1. The brass gun button appears to be held in by a single brass(?) screw. This screw is proving to be a bit a ‘whatsit’ to remove. If I need to drill it out it, is it possible to find a suitable replacement?
2. The grip has two small areas where the black plastic(?) surface has rubbed through to the webbing underneath. Can anyone recommend a way to restore this?
3. It has traces of what looks like silver paint on the metal work. Can anyone provide a steer as to what colour it was or should be?
4. Finally, the grip has two small holes drilled into it at 12 o’clock on the top of the side facing the pilot. The holes are approx 2 cm apart and empty. Can anyone please tell me what they were for?

Thanks in advance

Jonny

Try this link mate:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/r_m_g.varley/77%20Squadron%20Association.htm

Rgds

Jon

Hi again,

Unfortunately no brake lever (damn shame, I will have to get one for it, if I for it). It does have two small holes drilled in the grip. They are facing the pilot, dead top centre and 3/4 of an inch apart. Never seen that before. Almost as if something had been afixed and taken off.

Rgds

Jon

I never met the man, but I have had the pleasure of, and will always remember, seeing him fly. I think that that is testament enough to a life well lived. Rest in Peace old chap.

Thanks chaps. Yup….I am aware, that is why I put ‘genuine’ and ‘restored’. Great airframes though the aforementioned are, the UK still lacks the real thing ‘up on its legs and fully clothed’ and sitting in a national museum. I still wonder about the rationale of the RAFM leaving their Halifax on a bed of gravel when superb things can be done (as exampled by the Trenton guys and gals).
By the way, saw NA337 last month. Take’s your breath away!!

Slipstream,

Agree with the boys on this, however I have a number of log books in my custody that suggest that ‘swapping’ positions occured more often that people think. IMHO it occured more often in the early years of the war (before the crewing up process became more formal) and in the case of more senior gunners who had the sway or authority to pick and choose the Ops they went on e.g. Gunnery Leaders etc.

Jon