I know this was along time ago but could Air Ministry or someone else possibly tell me what this piece was?

I cant see the attached images

thanks

Neither can I. Signed in or out ??

Bill T.

Hi RedHill Wings,
During my mob early years late 1962 to early 65 was spent on 4 JSTU at Edinburgh Field ,Adelaide as a fitter on Victor XL 161 carrying out Blue Steel test Drops over same Ranges. Although this was a later time than your uncle was involved,we did get spin offs from other personnel there about those trials times. One corner of our main hanger at Edinburgh Field was a white area with strange toilets and showers and rooms and this was where the Aircraft crews got de-contaminated. To my knowledge this was Canberra’s and Valiant Aircraft, but I have no other facts or figures, you have to remember we all were under UK Official Secrets Act and anyone found with notes or pics. or talking to media. really was in for a lengthy term of imprisonment once back in UK. I cannot remember where the Aircraft were de-contaminated, but the most likely place would have been down at South end of Airfield where there was a peri track connection to what was known as the “Submarine Blast Pens”. ( To us anyway ) that was surrounded by a hefty hawser netting fence. This was used for loading our Aircraft with “Blue Steels” but I’m sure it was erected long before we arrived there. It had a wash down facility, which was needed for us too in case of missile Fuel leakage. (Which it did ). I think this facility was removed/bulldozed after we left Aussie, as cannot see anything of it on Google maps.

Hope this is of some relevance for you.

Bill T.

Hi Bob Kat,
You guys are now regularly making good ID’s of parts found, very well done indeed, the total picture builds and builds. Was nice to get the items identified in post 1055. I have been looking in here regularly, but picked up on only 2 items really,in post 1062. These are pics A1 and A2 and B1 and B2.

They look to me like the “drive controls” (For want of better words ) for Valves that would be in a very low pressure air system of some kind, that is piped or maybe a carburetter control. Pics A1-2 show that plate with strange “scissors” at top and you can see where the (rusty ) pivot spindle was attached. (Broken off in crash ). Those “Scissors” blade would be used to move something else over a small arc of range.

Pics B1-2 show the “Block” with rusty spindle in centre (Snapped off ) The flat on spindle stopped any “slippage” of block around spindle ,so maybe that little unit took a higher loading than A1-2. You can see the operating arm attached. I’ve seen both of these types of Valve ( they drive a flat round plate that rotated inside the component ) before, but cannot think where. Hope this may give you a pointer to look into various air pressure or maybe fuel systems.

Bill T.

Yes Indeed !!!
Some kind soul takes columns news’s and puts them on U Toob, so if you are having trouble with some sort of interference with watching above ref. news go to the toob. Todays news is very absorbing.

Bill T.

Just looked in again and thats the first time I’ve seen that video Robbie, excellent, thanks for posting it. That take off looked about right to me and clearly shows the T Birds could do same as single seaters. As I remember at FCMPC (Fighter Command Missile Practice Camp) It was the FireStreak missile used during my time there. MPC (or FCMPC) was an RAF Fighter Command Support Unit set up for Training Fighter Sqdns and personnel in the live firing operations and was very successful. My time was more involved with running the MPC Tyre Bay and Airframes 1st Line support work and it could get real hectic if cross winds were running during flying time. A heavy cross wind landing would scrub the tread right off the main wheels and even go through several layers of tyre safety re-inforcement “Canvas”. So we were very busy at those times. 2 wheels exploded whilst one Lightning was being towed around to Hanger and we thought an ejection seat had fired. The driver and “Brake” man were quite concussed and shaken up. But no damage, except to mainwheels and tyres . Bits were found out on main runaway.

Bill T.

Hi Ewan,
Ahhhh !! Thanks for posting those nice ,clear pics. of the Tailwheel. After enlarging and rotating pics. Could not find any numbers to match the Dunlop AH Wheel (UK) system we know, but did notice that there are a few embossed numbers in the castings, which I’ve never seen on UK aircraft during my Tyre bay Mob time. That makes me think this wheel is Aussie manufactured, WW2 period and I agree with Bruce. My hunch is Mossie too. Best I can come up with, hope this helps. And same for you 43-2195, Fairey Battle tailwheel no is:- AH 5023. (Wheel size 4.95″x 3-1/2″ ) I did see one on evil Bay in the dim distant past,which doesn’t help now of course.
Best of luck with the hunt and the sale guys.

Bill T.

Brilliant idea guys !! What a great tribute.

Bill T.

Hi again Bob,
Eeeeek !!! Sea Hawk canopies seem to be like Hens teeth these days. They weren’t a very strong item in Service anyway and what canopies remained with Static Sea Hawks are well clouded,scratched,cracked as most of em spent many years outside. Very difficult item to find I’m afraid. Wish you luck on that one and also on the 2 front Windscreens needed, Well 3 if you are also including the Curved perspex front screen that sits in front of the armoured Flat screen. Keep posting here for needed items as something will turn up.

Bill T.