WW2 RAF Lancaster base - Dump discovered - Finds keep coming

[Whitehunter]

SWEET! we got there in the end

[LUCKYSTRIKE]

Since our last group dig, Ive been steadily working my way through my relic's bags gradually cleaning the finds and am now ready to post more pictures.

This item has a little story attached to it, when I got home and was going through everything I'd brought back with me, I came to a 'sort of plastic top type thing' obviously it was broken in a few places and I just thought what was I thinking why did I keep that? because it just looked like the top of a toilet cistern so I threw it in the bin

Anyway a few days later I was watching a DVD a WW2 Air Ministry production for flight engineers showing the daily checks on a Spitfire. It was very interesting with plenty of close up film of parts etc. But one section caught my eye, it showed the engineer checking the accumulator battery currents, but to do this he had to first remove a cover that was over the battery. Anyway you've guessed the next bit, it was almost exactly the same design as the piece I'd chucked in the bin Argh.

But I was lucky this time, the bin lorry hadn't been so I delved in and dug it out again and this time cleaned it up. I'm pleased I did because on the underside it says RAF lead acid accumulator 12 Volt 40 amperes Type D Ref 5J. Sadly pieces are missing so its not possible to read everything but even so an interesting piece.
Pictures 1 2 and 3 show the item, picture 4 shows a lid on an accumulator battery and then removed for a Spitfire.









LUCKYSTRIKE

[AURktman]

Picture 8 transparent item has a patent date that falls into the year 1937(GB464401) and 1939 (GB484282).

Here is a link to the initial patent (GB464401): http://gb.espacenet.com/search97cgi/...001,0004,0005,

Apparently it is a vent for the batteries to prevent liquid from coming out.

[alikat]

I used to live next to Kenley airfield, and I remember seeing a picture of their 'dump' with wrecked aircraft being dropped into it with a crane. When I moved it was still undiscovered. The perimeter of the airfield also had a fighter that I assume had been badly damaged just left to the brambles. I think it has long ago been collected by a preservation society. There was plenty to be found on the surface around the base. We once found a pile of 20mm cases that had not been fired, so I don't know if someone had pulled them apart for the cordite. Aslo plenty of flooded bunkers etc. A great kids playground, when not being chased off by the MP's that is!

[Whitehunter]

Thanks for sharing your story i found it very intresting. i bet you had a great time exploring

[LUCKYSTRIKE]

Heres my next lot.

First are the remains of War Department marked bakelite lids?



A very robust piece of air frame?



A fuel cap? with remains of the original red paint.



Another favourite from this trip is this little cigarette lighter. When found it was covered in rust and couldn't be identified. So it was a nice surprise to pull this out of the de ruster a day later. It stands on one of several gas mask lenses found that day.



A large variety of electrical cable connectors were found.





I don't know what this item is, its made of an early sort of plastic but is sadly unmarked, could it be for a neck/head support because the curve fits my neck perfectly?





The last couple of pictures show a variety of finds, notice the gas ointment jar (top right corner) and the glass right angled tube together with a piece Plexiglas. Below is a close up of one marked electrical connector.

LUCKYSTRIKE

[Steve T]

That's a lot of electrical connectors LS !

Here are the latest of my finds cleaned up.

group shot first



Some Morganite carbon rods, which I am told are from search lights.



A nice load of locking nuts for Merlin engine exhaust ports



And the gaskets for the exhaust ports as well



More anti-gas ointment and a very well preserved Dunlop rubber tube



No idea what these are. Seem to be made of some sort of composite material. Not metal.



I found 4 of these, (one is soaking in rust remover). Base has a couple of wheels and two long metal rods connect the bottom part to an aluminium connector at the top. Anyone any idea what they're off ?



Same with this. A small handle that looks like it has a cable attachment on it, connected to quite a hefty lever.



Various buckles and rings. The big rings....could they be off parachute kit ?



Three connectors. Top one appears to be oxygen related, middle one not sure, bottom one is an aerial connector for a radio.



Here are the AM marks on the aerial connector.



A clip.



Believe this is off a radio kit as I can make out the beginning of the AM code.



Not sure what this is off though.........



Some nice bits of plexi glass, one with a pipe connecting to the internal cavity.



Close up of the pipe.



Caps off various things, none of which I know what they are. A search for the well marked one has proved fruitless so far.



And lastly a coat hook. Not much really BUT it's amazing to think it may have had the flying suit for one of the pilots hung on it.



If you can help ID anything please let me know.

Cheers

Steve T

[LUCKYSTRIKE]

Some more

Two marked Air Ministry cable ends, the picture shows both sides, do you know what these could be from?



Electrical terminal board, each terminal is marked but very faintly I can only read parts.
A/M RF ? 4719, TO R3J/R3, TO ?37. Any ideas what its from?



A mixed selection of all sorts, mainly electrical components. Can you help identify any pieces?



A couple of marked peices, one appears to be a bracket but the other circular item is interesting it was originally painted red, any ideas what it was used for?



A couple of marked bakelite surrounds, do you think these were for switches?



A bakelite tube, almost like a cover marked R/F Choke, does this stand for Radio Frequency?



A few mixed items, end of valve, a plug etc.



Inside of an upturned lid?



Thank you for any help you can provide very much appreciated.

LUCKYSTRIKE

[LUCKYSTRIKE]

Even more.

First up is some sort of valve fitting? marked all around its edge.



An alloy tube with a hole at one end painted bright red, I have no ideas on this one.



Alloy aero pieces



Close up of alloy disc showing markings.



Marked alloy brace?



Alloy lid both sides shown.



Another mixed selection.



Close up of another alloy brace?



Two small valves ?



A piece of communication cable that would have attached to the plugs shown earlier. The brass/copper item was originally chromed, perhaps part of a light or torch?



Elecrical fittings fuses etc.



The final picture shows an unidentified marked alloy piece, but I have no idea as to its use?

Thank you for taking the time to view these finds and any ID help you can provide.

LUCKYSTRIKE

[Paul B]

Heres my next lot.

First are the remains of War Department marked bakelite lids?

14A/xxx = Cameras and parts thereof.

PB