A Spitfire part? - Aircraft of World War II

Marcogrifo · 04-13-2009, 12:09 PM

Hi all, hope this is the right place to post an inquiry.

This part was found near a site (in Italy, I think) where a Spitfire crashed during WWII; has anybody a clue about what can it be?
Thanks in advance.

Cheers

P.S.: I'm not the owner of that part, so I can't say more about it...

Colin1 · 04-13-2009, 03:17 PM

Given the mechanical action that you've demonstrated
and the metal pipe union above it, I'll take a guess and say cooling system, possibly even the thermostat assembly.

I'll have a dig around and see if I can find anything more scientific than my guess

Marcogrifo · 04-13-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin1

Given the mechanical action that you've demonstrated
and the metal pipe union above it, I'll take a guess and say cooling system, possibly even the thermostat assembly.

I'll have a dig around and see if I can find anything more scientific than my guess

Thank you, Colin.

Colin1 · 04-13-2009, 04:36 PM

Actually
it looks more like a mechanical cam-driven pump of some sort, than a thermostat assembly

spitfirefive · 04-14-2009, 05:04 PM

Hello chaps,
the part in the posted photo's is a firing solenoid, the unit was mounted the bottom rear end of a .303" Browning, the lift arm is the manual bolt release for the gun.

Kind regards,
Dave

Colin1 · 04-14-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spitfirefive

the part in the posted photos is a firing solenoid, the unit was mounted the bottom rear end of a .303" Browning, the lift arm is the manual bolt release for the gun

Nice one Dave
I was looking in completely the wrong area

spitfirefive · 04-14-2009, 05:19 PM

No problem sir, glad to be of help.
Kind regards,
Dave

Colin1 · 04-14-2009, 05:24 PM

Can I take it then that the pipe union was for pneumatic delivery, rather than hydraulic?

spitfirefive · 04-14-2009, 05:39 PM

Hello Colin1,
that is correct sir, the weapons were pneumatically fired.
Kind regards,
Dave

Colin1 · 04-14-2009, 05:49 PM

Not the clearest shot in the world, but gives some idea of the location Dave was talking about

The installation from below and to the rear; to the left of the gun may be seen the harmonisation locking quadrant for raising or lowering the barrel; the braided cable running underneath the gun carried high pressure air to fire the weapon.

Micdrow · 04-14-2009, 06:06 PM

Nice job there guys!!!

spitfirefive · 04-14-2009, 06:21 PM

A closer view of the unit fitted to a replica .303" Browning mounted in a Spitfire MkV wing, minus air connection and gun mounting bolts.

Kind regards,
Dave

Marcogrifo · 04-16-2009, 04:28 PM

WOW! Many Many Thanks guys!

Excellent job

BTW, I suspected that lever had to be operated by hand, but I didn't figure out it was related with armament.

Here what the owner of the part has found:

Cheers

04-13-2009, 12:09 PM	#1
Marcogrifo Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Genoa, Italy Posts: 186	A Spitfire part? Hi all, hope this is the right place to post an inquiry. This part was found near a site (in Italy, I think) where a Spitfire crashed during WWII; has anybody a clue about what can it be? Thanks in advance. Cheers P.S.: I'm not the owner of that part, so I can't say more about it...

04-14-2009, 06:06 PM	#11
Micdrow “Archive” Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,852	Nice job there guys!!! __________________ "Valor does not mean Hero."

04-14-2009, 06:21 PM	#12
spitfirefive Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 6	A closer view of the unit fitted to a replica .303" Browning mounted in a Spitfire MkV wing, minus air connection and gun mounting bolts. Kind regards, Dave Last edited by spitfirefive; 05-27-2009 at 11:59 AM.

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04-13-2009, 03:17 PM	#2
Colin1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,759	Given the mechanical action that you've demonstrated and the metal pipe union above it, I'll take a guess and say cooling system, possibly even the thermostat assembly. I'll have a dig around and see if I can find anything more scientific than my guess

04-13-2009, 04:36 PM	#4
Colin1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,759	Actually it looks more like a mechanical cam-driven pump of some sort, than a thermostat assembly

04-14-2009, 05:04 PM	#5
spitfirefive Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 6	Hello chaps, the part in the posted photo's is a firing solenoid, the unit was mounted the bottom rear end of a .303" Browning, the lift arm is the manual bolt release for the gun. Kind regards, Dave

04-14-2009, 05:19 PM	#7
spitfirefive Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 6	No problem sir, glad to be of help. Kind regards, Dave

04-14-2009, 05:24 PM	#8
Colin1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,759	Can I take it then that the pipe union was for pneumatic delivery, rather than hydraulic?

04-14-2009, 05:39 PM	#9
spitfirefive Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 6	Hello Colin1, that is correct sir, the weapons were pneumatically fired. Kind regards, Dave

04-16-2009, 04:28 PM	#13
Marcogrifo Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Genoa, Italy Posts: 186	WOW! Many Many Thanks guys! Excellent job BTW, I suspected that lever had to be operated by hand, but I didn't figure out it was related with armament. Here what the owner of the part has found: Cheers