Firstly, I've been as sick as a dog, and still not 100%. That time of year of course, being winter in Melbourne, and working in all that dust and stuff just adds to the issue. But I'm well on the way to being fit and well again :-)
On with the show !
Sad to think that after all this time, its finally over. One man's passion for 80 years is finally no more.
But, I have to ask - why did I find an original ABBA tour belt from the 1970's in there???? (no pic yet)
But even in this empty state I have found a gem or three
This is a rather wonderful looking (almost art deco style) Western Electric Intercom Unit. I assume its from around the 1930's. Was surprised to find it still there.
Doesn't look like much right? Probably to the untrained eye, but I've learnt to look further than that ! This is a CAC Boomerang (RAAF) Firing Button ! Still works - well its presses down anyway, and of course its not connected to anything :-)
This could have easily ended up in the scrap pile, if not for an eagle eyed restorer. Its a seat pole for a CAC Wirraway (RAAF) - something that I am intrigued by is the amount of material that is "unfinished" - ie not chrome plated, or even smoothed down. This is one such example, and has no part number markings.
Odd looking things, but they are components from either a Beaufort or Beaufighter (Part starts with E2)
And then the goodies begin!
Every plane needs some spark plugs ! I may have located some aircraft batteries too (they are hefty !)
Just as all planes need sparkys, they most likely need something like this too - this is a starter switch for a CAC Wirraway
These are generic push buttons - apparently used as starters on British craft, but also used heavily as a number of buttons (Start, bomb release, jettison, fire etc) on Australian aircraft.
Funky walking stick? Nope, its a tank link part for a CAC Boomerang - even has the filter on the bottom right.
Time for a MYSTERY PART! What on earth could this be? I found loads of the bottom half at the shed, but this is one of a few complete units. Doubt its air related, the general thought is that its military, maybe tank ?
Yegads thats a lot of rings! After much consultation we have worked out they are aircraft hydraulic tube clips. There's quite a few boxes too !
Moving across to tank matters, this is an oil can of some sort from a Bren Gun Carrier. Still in pretty good order after all this time.
This is a prop feathering switch from a Liberator - the big one !
Now one of the things I have always loved in particular with aircraft are the gauges - how people read so many at any given time while flying has always left me in awe.
Lucky for me I found a big box of them ! Heres a selection :
This is a brake pressure gauge for a Mosquito Fighter. Made by Dunlop, its a wonderful looking unit.
Now this unit has had lots of people talking. Its a boost gauge for a Spitfire, and has an amazing bakelite edge around it. To the right of the gauge is a blue tag. I hadn't paid much attention to this originally other than to note that it said Recovery Department. Now I know what that is - these tags actually help (where legible) to identify the actual aircraft from which it came. This is incredibly exciting and I will be bringing you more of that over the course of the next few weeks.
( I sold this one before I had a chance to figure this bit of info out !)
Similar yet different. This is another boost pressure gauge but for an Anson among others. What makes it different to the Spitfire is that it only goes to +8 whereas the Spitfire goes to +20. Still awesome looking whichever way you view it.
Now you would think that yellow would mean you'd be more easily seen by the enemy! But this is an oil temperature gauge from a MK VIII Spitfire, so maybe they didnt have time to be looking for brightly coloured gauges
A not so common rear tank fuel contents gauge for a Hudson bomber!
This is an Oxygen Demand Regulator - lots of dials and the like. The oxygen piping was fitted to (I think) the tube on the left and thru to the pilot's mask.
So theres a decent burst of activity for the end of the month. There's so many more very cool items to share - keep reading !
