Stirling Artifact Identification

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GuyMassey
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Stirling Artifact Identification

Post by GuyMassey »

I had a fantastic day yesterday at Wings and Wheels seeing the two Lancasters the Vulcan and Canberra fly, as well as other fantastic displays by classic aircraft. Whilst there I picked up two artifacts from 218 Sdn Stirling HA-Q R9313 which was brought down NE of Lurgashall by "friendly" aircraft (Havoc and Hurricane) on return from a "Nickel" raid over Lyons on 05.05.42. All the crew bailed out and survived. The seller did not know what the parts were, both are castings and quite heavy. The first one is smothered in stamped numbers but the second (engine part?) has none.
I have photographed both from several angles and have included a 2p piece for scale. Any ideas please?
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"The purpose of life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave with a well-preserved body, but rather to Slide in Sideways, completely used up, yelling and screaming, what a ride!" anon.
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GuyMassey
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Re: Stirling Artifact Identification

Post by GuyMassey »

Part 2
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"The purpose of life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave with a well-preserved body, but rather to Slide in Sideways, completely used up, yelling and screaming, what a ride!" anon.
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GuyMassey
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Re: Stirling Artifact Identification

Post by GuyMassey »

Part 3
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"The purpose of life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave with a well-preserved body, but rather to Slide in Sideways, completely used up, yelling and screaming, what a ride!" anon.
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GuyMassey
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Re: Stirling Artifact Identification

Post by GuyMassey »

These next pictures are of the possible engine part. It appears to be a union for a pipe where it was bolted to the engine?
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"The purpose of life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave with a well-preserved body, but rather to Slide in Sideways, completely used up, yelling and screaming, what a ride!" anon.
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GuyMassey
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Re: Stirling Artifact Identification

Post by GuyMassey »

The final pictures of this "engine" part.
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"The purpose of life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave with a well-preserved body, but rather to Slide in Sideways, completely used up, yelling and screaming, what a ride!" anon.
jamesinnewcastle
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Re: Stirling Artifact Identification

Post by jamesinnewcastle »

Hi

Certainly the first part will be one of the many transitions elements between the tubular struts and the flatter parts of the fuselage, the tube has been torn away from its rivets. I believe that this was a feature of the Short Sunderland too - but don't quote me! The picture is a pretty good match but then they may all have had a similar construction!

A picture will tell a thousand words, attached is an example of the use of these 'transitions' in place - Quite which part might be harder to locate, however one of the stamped numbers signifies which of the major aircraft sections it came from, the leading 3 suggests the main wing. Not surprising really given that this was where the majority of these items were used, the 29 is Stirling.



Cheers
James
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GuyMassey
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Re: Stirling Artifact Identification

Post by GuyMassey »

Thank you James, that is great information, especially with the picture! There are numbers on the possible engine part. I must have been blind not to have seen them this morning! I am lead to believe that this aircraft recovery may have been featured on a BBC documentary, does anyone know about it or even have a copy?
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jamesinnewcastle
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Re: Stirling Artifact Identification

Post by jamesinnewcastle »

Hi Guy

The number before the 29 is 5 - that should tell you the main part of the aircraft that it came from, sadly I was only told about the '3' so possibly someone else will know what a '5' indicates.

James
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Re: Stirling Artifact Identification

Post by Stirling Project »

Hi Guy

I haven't got my Pt No list with me but IIRC '529' denotes part of the nacelle oil system. I'll check when I get the chance

The programme was "War Digs with Harry Harris", in which we as the Stirling project took part. It wasn't a BBC documentary and a bit of a Google shows that it was originally on the Discovery channel.

John L
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GuyMassey
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Re: Stirling Artifact Identification

Post by GuyMassey »

Hi John. Could this second part be the oil feed union from the reservoirs? The chap I got it from had another identical one from the same aircraft. Are their any pictures that you know of that may illustrate it? I would imagine that the Sunderland would be identical and maybe even aircraft such as the Beaufighter which also employed Hercules II engines. What capacity were the reservoirs do you know?
"The purpose of life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave with a well-preserved body, but rather to Slide in Sideways, completely used up, yelling and screaming, what a ride!" anon.
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