2024-03-28T21:22:34+00:00https://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/jsonhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/xmlhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/rsshttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/atomhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/kmlhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/geojsonhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/qrcodehttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results2110finds-111111MAS-F100111AIRCRAFT COMPONENTMODERNAluminium aircraft section, heavily corroded and damaged. No identifying marks or plates visible, though two cross member plate remnants present. 870 x 45mm.
The lack of identifying marks means that the type and origin of the aircraft cannot be definitively identified from this recovered section. Initially thought to be part of a piston engine support frame from something like a Spitfire fighter, a Dakota transport aircraft, or perhaps one of the multi-engined bombers,this theory was discarded as these are generally circular in section. The double row of rivet holes down one side (presumably where it attached to the skin) suggest it is more likely a stringer of some description. A stringer is a Longitudinal member (i.e. in the fuselage aligned with the longitudinal axis and in wings and tail surfaces perpendicular to this axis) which gives the airframe its shape and provides the support for the skin. In fuselages, they link frames and in aerofoils they link ribs. The consensus therefore, is that it is from the outer wing rib of a single engine aeroplane or the fin/tail plane rib of a larger multi engine aircraft from the Second World War; and has characteristics that suggest it is from a Royal Air Force or British aircraft. However, due to the corrosion and the very close variations in measurement between both metric and imperial measurements, i.e. millimetres (mm), standard wire gauge (swg) or thousands of an inch (thou), used by aircraft designers during this period, the use of the spacing and diameter of rivets, bolt holes and other spacings combined with any drilling/stamping errors means that these do not help in identifying the piece. The damage to the piece also means that the use of rivet pitch, which might identify the manufacturer, rather than the country of origin, would be open to a wide degree of error.TRANSPORT41411218/173MAS2017-08-23T00:00:00ZVehicle componentWith finder2017-08-23T08:47:41Z2018-05-23T13:59:19Z111458701272811422625East SussexTQ440050.781702980.04126088pastels.dash.stockpile10MAS MASMASWhite metal11967FragmentMODERNMODERNFishingSubmitted as wreck to the Receiver of WreckFIPAD_201708174.JPG288images/MAS2018-05-23T12:59:19.121Zfinds-172172MAS-F100172AIRCRAFT COMPONENTMODERNRolls Royce Merlin 45 gear unit, serial number GU 69 677, with a truncated, heavily damaged and corroded, three bladed propeller. All three propeller blades have survived despite heavy corrosion, though the end of one is missing. The wiring in the propeller cam shaft is visible since the outer dome casing has partially disintegrated. The Merlin 45 engine was used in the Mk. V Supermarine Spitfire fighters, in Reconnaissance Spitfires (PR Mk. IG & P MK. IV), and early versions of the naval version the Supermarine Seafire Mk. IB and Mk. IIC). The Merlin 45 saw active service from early 1941 as squadrons were equipped with the new Mk. V Spitfires.
Consultation with Boscombe Down Aviation Collection has suggested that this aircraft likely landed on the water, rather than crashed directly, as the damage to the propellor blades is minimal. Given that the nose of an aircraft is most likely where the initial impact of a crash would occur this would appear a more than probable conclusion. Additionally, following cleaning and initial preservation steps, it was noted that there are two circular scollops in the edge of one of the propellor blades (see image 13 of 13). Boscombe Down Aviation Collection suggest that these are of a diametre closely matching that of cannon shells that may have been fired at the Spitfire from a German aircraft such as a Messerschmitt BF 109E. This evidence suggests that the aircraft, to which this Gear unit belonged, was in combat shortly before its loss. The damaged sustained likely caused the engine to fail, causing the pilot to belly land the aircraft on the sea. It is to be hoped that he successfully exited the aircraft and was rescued following these events. Efforts to identify the exact aircraft from which this gear unit originated are being contiued by Boscombe Down AC.The Mk. V Spitfires were initially developed in late 1940 as a high altitude interceptor and were essentially remodelled Mk I & Mk II spitfires with a new engine, later Mk V's were purpose built airframes.
The PR Mk. IG (Armed) & P MK. IV (Unarmed) Spitfires were variants created to fulfil the role of photo- reconnaissance of enemy held territory. On some variants the planes had all their armament removed and often replaced with additional fuel tanks to increase their operational range. Their speed, small size and high operational ceiling allowed them to either remain undetected or avoid enemy aircraft. This role had previously been performed by light bombers, such as the Bristol Blenheim, or purpose built reconnaissance aircraft, such as the Westland Lysander. They are both relatively slow aircraft and the Lysander had no armament what so ever, as a result early war losses were high and an alternative solution was sought.
The Seafire was a naval version of the Spitfire, adapted for use on aircraft carriers, the first batch of which came into service in late 1941. The earlier variants being used for training to acquaint Fleet Air Arm pilots with the Spitfire air frame and using it on aircraft carriers. vehicle41411059/183MAS2018-04-27T00:00:00Zaircraft engineWith Boscombe Down Aviation Collection2018-04-27T09:07:05Z2020-03-27T15:30:26Z172124512414PAS5C5037EF001C032MAS MASMASSteel11786OtherIncompleteCorrodedMODERNMODERNFishing172_i0000010.jpg418images/MASPhil Trim2020-03-27T15:30:26.261Z