Things you find when you empty your father-in-law's house #1

[titaniumfire]

Afternoon PPRuNers.

My father-in-law is an ex Lancaster bomb aimer and collected most of the important bits from a Lancaster's weapon system - specifically:

1. Gyro-stabilised bomb sights (including a Mk XIV)
2. Ballistic computor (Mk XIVA)
3. Stores management parts
4. Compass

A full set of photos can be found under this link

https://www.dropbox.com/l/8YQx7hSH9dPVdKhHb5CWd8?

I am asking the community to share any thoughts about a suitable home for these items. My father-in-law's view is that he'd like the items to go to the local ATC squadron (who look after the 625 Sqn memorial at Kelstern airfield) - I like that idea but I'm concerned that with gov cutbacks etc that one day the ATC sqn might be disbanded, and these items might end up being 'lost'.

...So I am looking for your suggestions for a suitable home. Here are some questions/ideas/thoughts that I have had:

1. Does the BBFM Lancaster have these items installed? If not, would that be a suitable home?
2. Out at East Kirby there is the Lincolnshire Aviation Centre - restoring a lancaster to flight. Anther possible home....
3. RAF museum - I believe they already have some of these items but I am not sure

So, if any of you have ideas / thoughts about where these items should go, my wife and I would love to hear from you; a long-term home would be preferred.

:ok:

Thanks in advance

[titaniumfire]

Ok PPRuNers,

Found a number of parts of crashed aircraft - most are labelled. Does anyone recognise this part? I presume WWII but not entirely clear....

Photos under the link

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/amisiscfujngtaq/DBSuCxxAdj

Thanks in advance

:)

[N2erk]

Hello- FYI the first link wouldn't work for me- just said there was nothing there. Second link worked OK as did the one you put under things...#2

[dragartist]

TiFi,
Did your father in law have any connection with the Pathfinders? There is a fine collection at Wyton. Not sure if they have said items but they have recently moved into a new building on camp having been shuffled around over the past 20 years.


That would be a secure home with squillions having been invested in relocating several units there this past year.


I can dig out the curators e-mail if required.


I admire what you are doing here. Some folks would just put them on e-bay. well done.

[Burnie5204]

The good news is that at squadron level the Air Training Corps are self funding. One of the only ways that a local ATC Squadron can disband is if their number of cadets fall too low or the entire Corps were to disband.

[Wander00]

ISTR that J Clarkson discovered that his Father-in-Law had won a VC that none of his family knew about

[WASALOADIE]

Just make sure that when they are given to the ATC Sqn, that you get a receipt for them and insist that they are put on the Sqn property book and that they are listed as family property on permanent loan. That way, they will be accounted for and returned should the Sqn disband.

[Rakshasa]

TF, what a great collection! If you're determined to find a good home for them rather than sell them, my advice is speak to the curators, collectors and historians over on Key: Historic Aviation (http://forum.keypublishing.com/forumdisplay.php?4-Historic-Aviation).

Most of the major air museums have participants on that site, including they guys looking after the ex-RCAF Lancs. That's by far the best place to ask around. Be warned though, there are also several sharp collectors who will almost certainly offer you money. Of course going the fiscal route is entirely up to you.
HTH

[Wensleydale]

If you are feeling kind, Waddington Heritage Centre lost its MkXIV bomb sight when the owner asked for it back. We are left with the computer, the arming switches, distribution panel and an early war Mk IXA bomb sight. The Mk XIV would complete our bomb-aimer display!


https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/p526x296/1013718_374310049377948_430591554_n.jpg




https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/p526x296/1912105_374312079377745_501507656_n.jpg

[Pathfinder Museum]

Thanks for the plug dragartist. We now have a Pprune presence for anyone seeking more info.

RAF Wyton - Pathfinder Collection (http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafbramptonwyton/history/pathfindercollection.cfm)

[NutLoose]

I will let the East Kirby lot know,
BTW if you loan them, GET IT IN WRITING AND. SIGNED BY BOTH PARTIES, so there is no ambiguity later on, or they get sold / lost from under you. And do not think that simply because it is the RAF it is guaranteed, get it in writing preferably with serial numbers and identifying photos.

[NutLoose]

Titanium ask on this forum, someone has pointed them to this link, but they will be able to help identify parts

East Kirby Lanc lot inside (http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?129275-East-Kirby-Lanc-lot-inside)

[winchman]

East Kirkby probably has a few of these gathering dust. Better donated to one of the smaller museums that would appreciate them. Have you thought about the RAF Metheringham Visitors Centre near Lincoln?

Metheringham Airfield Visitor Center (http://www.metheringhamairfield.com)

[ursa_major]

625Sqn were based at RAF Kelstern until early April 1945 and then at RAF Scampton until October 1945. Perhaps the museum at RAF Scampton might be an appropriate resting place for them? Failing that, the museum at the former RAF Wickenby could probably offer them a home.

[thing]

The museum at Wickenby is indeed a little gem. You could perhaps split the collection? The museum at Waddington is very good also.

As Nutloose says, get any loan in writing, especially where the RAF are concerned.

[whodictus]

Nice move, have you thought about Yorkshire air museum at Elvington near York they have turrets and nose cones from bombers in displays

[titaniumfire]

Hi all - I have updated some of the broken links this morning :)


@dragartist - not as far as I am aware. His squadron was 625 and he's most proud of being involved in Op Manna; in fact he's been back many times to Holland for the reunions. Thanks for the PM with the contact details - much appreciated.

@wasaloadie @Nutloose - Noted! I'll make sure that all of the documentation is in order.

@Rakshasa @Nutloose @winchman @ursa_major @thing @whodictus I have noted your suggestions - thank you. Ultimately my father-in-law will decide where the items go to and I will collate your suggestions and take them to him in the next couple of weeks :ok:

@wensleydale he was an honorary member of the OM at Waddington - I am sure he will have seen and will have a good understanding of the collection.

@nutloose - I'll re-post the pics on the other forum.

Cheers all!

[Wander00]

It is good to see relics preserved. My parents were not that historically minded, and between Dad's death and my Mother's five years later, she had ditched stuff from my uncle's time in the Middle East during WW1, including the carbon copy of a report he had written to Gen Allenby about the activities of one Col (TE) Lawrence. Would love to have that in my possession. There is of course a tenuous aviation link, as Lawrence of course became Airman Shaw

[Old-Duffer]

Wander00,


Clarkson father-in-law was Major James Cain. One would have to be deaf, dumb and blind or to have lived on a remote island not to know about his VC. It was one of five at Arnhem but the only one to a living recipient.


In a book published in 1946, the details are shown and he was fairly high profile.


The chap whose VC was a surprise was Bill Reid. It was only on his wedding day that his bride knew he had been awarded it.


Old Duffer

[Wander00]

OD - memory must be failing -I thought I recalled Clarkson saying it was not well known in the family - but you are probably correct, but does nothing to detract from the achievement.


I have a friend whose Father won a VC at St Nazaire - I have often wondered what it is like learning of your award, and as you get older appreciating what it really means. My Dad was a fireman in London in the blitz (no medals though), and I still find it hard when I see footage of fire crews in the Blitz equating that to the Dad I knew and love.

[Prijon]

Titaniumfire - 2 other alternatives (apologies if already mentioned in other posts) would be the RAF Waddington Heritage Centre (RAF Waddington - Heritage Centre (http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafwaddington/aboutus/heritagecentre.cfm)) or the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre (RAF BBMF - Visitors Centre (http://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/visitorscentre/)). Both options would be worthy in my humble opinion.

[jimjim1]

These are guesses.

How about it was some kind of control system damper. It whizzed round when some flight control was moved providing:-

a) Aerodynamic resistance - hence the vanes
b) Inertia - hence the extra bits riveted on.

Hmmm - not very likely really.

Or:

It is the hub of a larger paddle used as a centrifugal flow fan or simply an aerodynamic brake. I think I recall seeing such a brake on a parachute jump simulator on TV. e.g. Fifty foot tower, strap in, jump off, harness and string turns fan which provides controlled descent.

Basic Parachute Course - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_Parachute_Course)

"The next stage involves the fan trainer. Wearing a harness connected to a cable wound round a drum fitted with fan blades, trainees jump from a platform located near the roof of the hangar; as they fall, their rate of descent is controlled to simulate that with a parachute."

This one was last sold in 2005.

http://rcd.co.uk/images/RCD-FAN-DESCENDERS.jpg

Some keywords.
RCD Fan Descenders
Redpoint Descender
RCD POWERFAN

Here is the Mark II which looks more confidence inspiring to me:-)

http://www.rcd.co.uk/images/RopesCourses/powerfan.jpg

http://www.rcd.co.uk/images/RopesCourses/powerfan_option.jpg

Ropes Course Developments - RCD Linear Ropes Course (http://www.rcd.co.uk/types%5Cprod_powerfan.html)

[romeo bravo]

Be careful when giving artifactes to ATC squadrons. They may be given by an individual and received by the squadron with all good intentions, but over the years they may get covered in dust, or put on the back shelf, and their importance will disappear to the point that they could be seen as waste as disposed of.

It's not that the ATC will not see their importance, it is just a case of the relevence changes with the change of OC Sqns as years goes by.

Believe me, it does happen, as a former OC Sqn ATC, I have seen and heard of equipment given to my old sqn thrown away to make room for the next load of 'in' equipment. Annoying from my point of view, but wasn't my train set after I left.

[RedhillPhil]

OD - memory must be failing -I thought I recalled Clarkson saying it was not well known in the family - but you are probably correct, but does nothing to detract from the achievement.


I also clearly recall Clarkson mentioning that no-one knew of his father-in-law's VC.


I have a friend whose Father won a VC at St Nazaire - I have often wondered what it is like learning of your award, and as you get older appreciating what it really means. My Dad was a fireman in London in the blitz (no medals though), and I still find it hard when I see footage of fire crews in the Blitz equating that to the Dad I knew and love.
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