I thought exactly the same thing when I saw it…..although it is a bit small for six studs!

If it is off a Lycoming or similar this isn’t the propeller-hub is it; it’ll be the end with the starter-motor ring-gear?

Nope, just right for an O-200 or O-235, even bigger like O-300 or O-320.
I am inclined to think American as I have seen this before but cant put finger on it.

Yes on a direct drive engine it’s the end of the crankshaft, the starter motor ring or brush ring etc and prop bolts to it, though not all engines have starter rings, the starter on a lot of continentals is on the back of the engine or on the front case, also the mounts vary from holes to studs.

Starter ring for Lycoming is on a special hub placed between flange and prop.

It looks very much like a modern vehicle wheel hub or drive flange to me, it even has the smaller hole to fix the brake disc on ?
Andy

Well, it might unless you have seen this before, then you know. 🙂

For a very short space of time, before Hawkinge get their hands on it, the RAF Museum will have the chance to display a representation of the Defiant which probably shot down the Dornier, alongside the wreckage. The Boulton Paul Association’s Defiant FSM is painted in the colours of a Defiant which shot down 2 of the 6 Dorniers downed by Defiants that day. It sits dismantled in a Cosford storage hangar, and the RAF Museum say they don’t want it, which is why it is probably destined for Hawkinge.

Defiant did not shoot it down.

ID will still be challenge.

Still needs much cleaning. Still a lot of marine growth on it. The worst part is the bottom of wing (top surface) is still thick with growth, prbably because it was on bottom the spray did not wash it as well.

It will be a couple of days before I uploade some of my camera images, for now a couple from my iPhone.