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Wartime production of
aircraft built or designed by Vickers included 20,334
Spitfires, 2,408 Seafires, 11,461 Wellingtons, 843 Warwicks
and 235 Lancasters
In 1938, the Air Minister, Sir Kingsley
Wood, cut the first sod towards the construction of the new
factory, managed by the Nuffield Organisation. Having not
produced a single Spitfire by the time of Dunkirk, the
factory was placed under the control of
Vickers-Armstrong and produced
1,298 Spitfires by the end of 1941.
During World War II, Castle Bromwich
aircraft factory, situated on the west side of the Chester
Road in Castle Vale, made Spitfires and components for
Lancaster bombers, at its peak turning out 320 Spitfires and
20 four-engine Lancaster Bombers each month.
Production continued until 1945, the
test flight of the last Spitfire to be produced there,
PK614, taking place on 30th November 1945.
The factory was a target of enemy
bombers and was hit by more than 200 bombs during the war,
which killed 11 workers and injured 55.
Only a sample of what is included in
this collection is shown as there is far to much to list.
Most drawings have hand written notes or reference numbers.
Click here to see list of
correspondence
Click here to view list of Drawings 1
Click here to view list of Drawings 2
Mileage sheet
click to enlarge picture
Reference
from Vickers to landlord on behalf of MR Hughes click the
picture to enlarge.
click
the picture to enlarge.
click
the picture to enlarge.
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Spitfire
Documents and plans from Vickers Armstrong Technical
Representative (pg1 misc)
This is one of the most
important collections of items currently on the website.
It is without doubt a unique and historically important
collection as it gives an account of Spitfire
construction and production throughout the war years.
Over 60 original Spitfire drawings belonging to Mr A Hughes
Technical Sub Contracts rep
who worked for Vickers Armstrong from February 1942 to at
least 1946. With the drawings are over a hundred pieces of
correspondence relating to everything from time keeping,
expenses sheets to the issues with shortages and haggling
with sub contractors to keep Spitfires rolling off the
assembly lines. You can trace the development of the various
marks and experimental versions. There are programs for
production along with some interesting personal
correspondence.
The information contained in this
collection cannot be underestimated, every piece is a
fascinating read from a man deeply involved with war time Spitfire
production. The drawings and correspondence all relate solely
to the Spitfire.
Only a very brief description is given of
each piece of paper as there is two much to record in
detail.
The drawings are superb many have hand
written notes. The drawings came from the same collection
and belonged to Mr Hughes, this has been established by
comparing his hand writing on the drawings to other
correspondence with His name on them examples are shown.
I do not know of another collection in
private ownership which gives such an insight into the War
time production of Spitfires and can only increase in value
as an investment whilst given huge pleasure to the owner.
I can guarantee the purchaser will be
supplied with all the original copies and that no copies
will be made of any of this collection. It is and will remain
unique.
Serious buyers can be
given full access to examine the material before sale if
required.
contact us
Mr Hughes Vickers
Technical sub contracts manager 1942 to 1946
Handwritten note on
drawing click on picture to enlarge
Handwritten notes on
correspondence click to enlarge picture
Handwritten notes on
correspondence click to enlarge picture
click
the picture to enlarge.
£3500
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Dated
1945
£475
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Scramble Bell (pg1 misc)
World War 2 Air Ministry
Bell - stamped 'AM' with the Crown, also the maker's
initials are stamped - 'G&J'. Made of the very finest
quality bell metal - long lasting ring tone, good pitch.
Very large, so extremely heavy - weight is in excess of 18kg
- Size: overall height base to shoulder is 8 1/2",
diameter is 10 1/2" at Bell opening and 5 1/2" diameter at
the top. A threaded bar protrudes from the top by 3", which
I assume is for fixing. Used by the RAF at squadron bases to
alert air crew into action. The 'clapper' is missing,
otherwise condition is good - there are no cracks or other
noticeable damage.
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