Vintage Instrument Panel

[funfly]

I have an instrument panel possibly from 1945 to 1955 which I am planning to sell and I need help with identifying its origin.
It is identical with ones I have seen in photigraphs of Spitfires but I appreciate that this was standard RAF design of the period. It certainly seems to be ex RAF and has AM 6A/760 on the panel but the instruments look older than the panel and they have loads of marking numbers on them which may mean something to a specialist.
Any suggestions where I can find out this information?

[Blacksheep]

A Standard Blind Flying Panel?
The numbers on the instruments are stores "Section and Ref" numbers, equivalent to Part Numbers, with the stores "Section" number 6A being "General Aircraft Instruments". Hand written numbers - usually in green - on the instrument faces are serial numbers of the mechanisms. The data plate will also carry the stores Sec/Ref and the serial number of the complete instrument. Hand written numbers coloured white, or faded to yellow, on the instrument cases are Modifications, Service Instruction (SI) or Service Technical Instruction (STI) numbers denoting modifications or special inspections carried out. The shop record cards for the instruments will be long gone so you're unlikely to be able to trace their histories.

[funfly]

Wow, thanks.
On the set I have the panel itself has no holes drilled at the corners which I assume would mean that it was not mounted into an instrument panel but a 'never used' set from a stores. Or maybe the instruments were re-used from other panels when it was serviced.
http://www.funfly.co.uk/front-1.jpg

[goudie]

The 'artificial horizon' and 'turn and slip indicator' are both air driven which suggests pre 50's . Probably from a basic training aircraft. It would have been mounted on
anti-vibration mountings

[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

A call to Great British Aircraft Spares - Blind Flying Panel (http://www.gbairspares.co.uk/reference/bfp.htm) might be useful. He's a nice bloke.



http://www.gbairspares.co.uk/reference/bfp.jpg

[Fareastdriver]

The 'artificial horizon' and 'turn and slip indicator' are both air driven which suggests pre 50's

They were going a bit later than that. The Piston Provost T1 I trained on in 1960/61 still had pnumatic instruments indentical to those in the picture.

The ASI is reading up to 320 MPH and as different speed range ASIs were fitted to compatable aircraft it suggests that it was fitted to an operational aircraft. IIIRC the RAF changed from MPH to Knots at the turn of the fifties so it would be 1940s vintage.

That's my guess, anyway.

[Bushfiva]

In http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/329990-gaining-r-f-pilots-brevet-ww11-29.html#post4804845, cliffnemo's posted a drawing he made of a Lancaster instrument panel. Your photo looks very similar.

[Blacksheep]

They were going a bit later than that.I was still calibrating (and adjusting) suction driven Horizons and DGs for target towing Meteors in the Calibration Lab at Changi in 1971.

[Capot]

I know I should get out more, but does anyone know why what - I'm guessing - is the bottom left screw fastener for the DG is there on GBZ's panel, but not on funfly's?

Is the different knob is a clue? But even if it's a later/earlier model, why would one only have 3 fasteners?

[682al]

I suspect it's an unfinished repro panel.

There are lots of them about due to scarcity/cost of original items. The Air Ministry stamp and Stores Ref. No. are crude and unfinished (the A.M. does not have it's accompanying Crown). None of the instrument mounting holes have been countersunk and the panel looks to be a bit on the thin side, too.

[Dan Winterland]

Looks authentic to me. I was staring at one of those while airborne as late as 1993!

The only difference is that the Reed and Sigrist turn and slip in the photograph was replaced by a more modern needle and ball instrument.

[whirlwind]

I spend as much time as I can looking at this (or perhaps glancing at this, I should say):

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t73/helicopterdcr/IMG_0907.jpg

Reid & Sigrist rule OK, when it comes to size! The clock is out of a Lagonda apparently. I haven't managed to get a great deal of use out of the vertical inclinometer...:ok:

Cheers,
WW