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Waclaw Lapkowski
Waclaw Lapkowski second
from right at the time this picture was taken he was
Squadron Leader of the famous 303 Squadron.
Hurricane P2985
Cam shaft (pg1 Pwr)
There are more pieces from
this aircrafts Merlin listed in the
Relics section |
Hurricane P2985 Piston and Rod (pg1 Pwr)
This is a piston and rod
recovered from the crash site of Hurricane P2985. I can
guarantee the provenance of this piece and will supply the
new owner with three pages of A4 listing information of the
303 Squadron Pilot Waclow Lapkowski who was flying this
aircraft when he was shot down on the 5th of September 1940.
In addition a copy of the combat report is included. I will
also supply the history of this piece since its recovery so
it is fully traceable to the dig site.
303 RAF Polish Squadron was
the top scoring Squadron of the Battle of Britain and as
such this is a hugely desirable piece of history for the
battle of Britain collector.
It is in remarkably good
condition and is straight.
Born on 6th November 1913, Waclaw
Lapkowski was in the Polish Air Force before the war and was
serving with its 112 Squadron at the outbreak of war. On 6th
September 1939 he shared a He111 and a Do17 with a He111
destroyed on the 9th.
He subsequently made his way to England, details unknown,
and joined 303 squadron on the day it was formed at Northolt
– 2nd August 1940. He claimed a Ju88 destroyed on 5th
September. On that day he was himself shot down by a Me109
in combat over Gillingham. He baled out, with a broken leg
and burns, landed at Hawkwell and was admitted to Rochford (Southend)
Hospital. His Hurricane, P2985, crashed at Bonvill's Farm,
North Benfleet.
Awarded the VM (5th Class, gazetted 23rd December 1940)
Lapkowski did not return to the squadron until 6th January
1941. He returned from a sweep over France on the 22nd with
25 yards of telephone wire round his engine. Lapkowski was
awarded the KW (gazetted 1st April 1941) and was wounded on
13th April 1941 and admitted to hospital. Recovered, on 5th
May he took command of 303 Squadron, on 4th June he damaged
a Me109, on the 8th he destroyed one, on the 22nd two more,
on the 24th another and on the 27th he damaged another.
On 2nd July 941 Lapkowski was leading 303, in Spitfire
B8596, flying with the Polish Wing escorting Blenheims to
Lille. They were attacked in mid-Channel by fifty Me109’s
coming down from a higher altitude. Lapkowski was shot down.
His body was washed ashore and he is buried in Lombardsidje
Communal Cemetery, Belgium.
303 Squadron Pilots with one of
their Battle of Britain Hurricanes.
£850
Hurricane P2985
Cam shaft (pg1 Pwr)
This camshaft came from the same aircraft as the above
listed piston and all the history and provenance supplied
also apply to this part.
This piece could be polished and mounted as a tribute to
the highest scoring squadron of the Battle of Britain.
Formed on August 2, 1940 in Northolt, No. 303
Kosciuszko Squadron was the second Polish fighter
squadron to be formed on British soil. Its personnel
recruited mostly from 111 and 112 Squadrons of the Pursuit
Brigade, which had fought with distinction in the Polish
campaign of 1939. In spite of some difficulties, mostly
stemming from inadequate command of English, conversion to
Hurricanes and training in the RAF tactics proceeded
smoothly, and a month later the squadron entered the Battle
- soon proving to be the hardest-hitting unit in the entire
Fighter Command.
Lt. Jan Zumbach (8 victories)
was one of the squadron's top-scoring pilots.
Lt. Urbanowicz scored 13
victories while flying with 303 Squadron
303 Squadron badge
Hurricane P2985 Cam shaft (pg1 Pwr)
£299
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Rolls Royce Merlin Engine plate
2 (pg1 Pwr)
Here is an original Merlin ID plate for a
724 series engine. This is not a repro
and is in mint condition.
£125
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Rolls Royce Merlin Engine plate
3 (pg1 Pwr)
Here is an original Merlin ID plate. This is not a repro
and is in mint condition.
£55
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B24 Liberator Engine Mount (pg1 Pwr)
This is an engine mount from a B24
Liberator in good restored condition . This mount was purchased from an aircraft fitter
who removed it from a Liberator based at Dunkeswell in Devon
England. It is a superb piece in its own right but has the
additional historical interest of having seen active service
at Dunkeswell.
The US Army's 479th Antisubmarine Group was based at Station
173, Dunkeswell, Devon, which had been designated as FAW-7's
new home in England.
The primary mission area for VB-103 and
its sister squadrons in FAW-7, VB-105 and VB-110, was the
Bay of Biscay. German U-Boat bases were located at Brest,
Lorient, St. Nazaire, La Rochelle, and Bordeaux on the
French coast, and from there the U-Boats fanned out north,
west, and south in search of their prey. To counter Allied
ASW assets in the area, the Luftwaffe's V/KG40, equipped
with the powerful Ju88C-6 heavy fighter, ranged across the
Bay of Biscay from Bordeaux-Mérignac, and accounted for many
Liberator disappearances. Several Ju88s were claimed by
FAW-7 gunners in the bloody air battles between them and the
Liberators.
Joseph
Patrick Kennedy (pictured above) was the elder
brother of President John F. Kennedy, and was born on the
28th July 1915. He completed his flight training at
Jacksonville U.S.A. in 1942. As a volunteer U.S. Navy pilot
he flew Mariner flying boats from Puerto Rico, Central
America, before converting to the B24
Liberator and serving in England at Dunkeswell, Devon,
with Squadron VB110. After completing his normal combat
tour of 30 missions, he volunteered for an extra 10 -
somehow managing to talk his crew in to flying with him.
Just before his last mission Lt Kennedy volunteered for one
further final mission which involved low level flying and a
parachute jump. This mission was to be Top Secret as part
of project Anvil, the target being the German V3 Supergun
site at Mimoyecques, France. The details of this mission
remained secret until 1966, although the identity of the
crew was not released until 1970.
Contact us for shipping enquiries
£1499
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Bristol Sprockets (pg1 Pwr)
Here we have two original sprockets which carry the
Bristol part number i.e. FB. I am not sure of their
application and would appreciate any information so I can
update the description.
Please email me
£75 for the pair
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Bristol Engine Manifold (pg1 Pwr)
Here we have a carburettor
manifold from a
Bristol Mercury or
Pegasus.
It goes between the Hobson carb and
supercharger
part number FB 60534 D9762
The Mercury's smaller size was aimed at fighter use,
and it powered the Gloster Gauntlet
and its successor, the Gloster
Gladiator It was intended that the larger Pegasus
would be for bombers, but as the power ratings of both
engines rose the Mercury found itself being used in almost
all roles. Perhaps its most famous use was in a twin-engine
light bomber, the Bristol Blenheim.
£125
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Coffman starter Mint in
Original Box
A Coffman
starter fitted to a Spitfire
  
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Coffman Starter (pg1 pwr)
A Coffman
starter fitted to a Spitfire
A number of methods have been devised
to cause an internal combustion piston engine to turn over
during the starting process, the most common being manual
cranking and electric starter motors. Another method
involves the use of a special cartridge that is generally
similar to a firearm cartridge (minus the projectile, of
course.) The Coffman cartridge system was one of the most
common brands, entering the market in the mid-1930s; another
was the Breeze cartridge system, which was produced under
Coffman patents.
The cartridge starter offers advantages in certain
situations, particularly in aircraft applications. For one
thing, unlike the business of starting by manually spinning
the propeller, a pilot can operate a cartridge starter
single-handedly from within the cockpit. A disadvantage is
that a supply of special cartridges must be carried, one for
each attempt to start the engine.
N/A
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Click on the
pictures to enlarge
£150
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RAF RCAF (MERLIN ENGINE) RADIATOR SHUTTER THERMO SWITCH (pg1 Pwr)
LANCASTER BOMBER
MERLIN ENGINE RADIATOR SHUTTER
THERMO SWITCH. THIS SWITCH WAS REMOVED FROM LANCASTER BOMBER
FM 215 AS TIME EXPIRED OCT 26/1959.
Superb item with great
provenance, connection to both Merlin and Lancaster. A very
rare event is to have a picture of the actual aircraft a
part has been removed from, the part was almost certainly in
situ when this picture was taken of
Lancaster FM 215.
History of
Lancaster FM 215
TOS 21.8.45 in RCAF; was
the 4th. Converted by Avro Canada to Mk.10P; issued to
#408(P) Squadron with code 'MN215'; did extensive test on
SHORAN; was used for short time at Winnipeg as a SAR
aircraft with #111 Composite Unit about Aug. 1959; SOC
28.9.62
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pictures to enlarge
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LANCASTER MERLIN ENGINE ANTI SURGE VALVE(pg1 pwr)
LANCASTER MERLIN ENGINE ANTI SURGE VALVE PART NUMBER 4400-1
MANUFACTURED BY THE UNITED AIRCRAFT PRODUCTS ,REMOVED FROM A
LANCASTER BOMBER FM 215 MERLIN
ENGINE (see info about FM215 above)
IN 1956.SERIAL NUMBER F1763
£125
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Oil Heater A/M 5A/2048
220 Volt oil heater. It has a nice A/M crown.
I can only assume this is for preheating oil in big aero
engines. Looks serviceable.
£25
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Beaufighter Exhaust (pg1 pwr)
This is a substantial piece
of Beaufighter. Although it has been slightly crushed it
should not be to much work to restore it to former glory and
would be an excellent source as a pattern. Its just over 2ft
in length and quite heavy. You can see it in situ just above
the head of the middle aircrew above.
N/A
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Early Merlin Exhaust Stub (pg1 Pwr)
This is a Fishtail exhaust stub
fitted to early Merlin variants, although its
missing the flange that bolts to the engine it is in very
good condition as can be seen from the pictures. A superb
collectable or pattern.
L987730A. NIN9 50.
0001-096. L986227
£175
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Click on the pictures to
enlarge them
N/A
We will deliver in the mainland UK for
the postage price quoted or you can collect. These engines
will run on super unleaded petrol as they have hardened
valves |
Merlin/Meteor Engine(pg1 pwr) Meteor engines are basically Merlin
engines converted for tank use. They are not supercharged.
They can have Merlin exhaust stubs bolted on and some
people who have these mounted on trailers and run them at
aviation events. They sound just the same as a Merlin
.
Can be mounted on a
trailer and run with a few ancillaries just add a fuel tank,
"Large" these 27 litre monsters can consume a gallon of
petrol a minute. You need an oil tank a radiator and off you
go. Unlike the Merlin fitted to aircraft this engine will
run happily without the need to apply a load. All the
Merlin's you see for static running require some sort of cut
down prop as they do not run well with a load.
They are awesome, the first time one
of these beasts fired up next to me I jumped out of my skin.
Once you get used to it these engines have a presence they
ooze roar power and sound just the same as a Merlin "sweet"
to see our Meteor running
click
here
This particular engine is
missing its starter motor but we will be able to find one
for the purchaser.
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Merlin XX Valve (pg1 pwr)
Here we have a Rolls Royce Merlin MkXX Valve from
Hurricane BD731.
In very nice straight clean condition. We have a number of
these available as well as springs.
£35
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Merlin Exhaust Stub (pg1 pwr)
This is an exhaust stub for a
Merlin. Its in pretty poor condition due to corrosion but
could make a nice display item and is relatively easy to
restore to static condition with some metal filler and some
patience. Not sure which aircraft I think more likely
Mosquito or Lancaster than Spitfire which generally had
shorter stubs.
£45
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Merlin/Meteor Stubbs (pg1 power)
Brand new Spitfire exhaust stubs which fit Merlins or Meteors. We make these to order, delivery is five weeks and a 50% deposit is required. These
stubs were made for my Spitfire
project and as we have the jigs ready to go we are offering
these at a fraction of the cost of the original set. Complete SET of 12
stubs.
£1000
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K Gass Priming Pump (pg1 pwr)
Mk XIV
Griffon Powered
Spitfire
A mint condition functioning
K Gass primer. Situated in the Cockpit used for priming big
Piston engines for starting. This type of K Gass was used on
the later Generation of engines such as the Rolls
Royce Griffon, a 36 Litre replacement for the Merlin. Also
fitted in the Tempest and Sea Fury using Centaurus engines.
Basically anything with a Big Piston engine over 30 Ltrs.
£250
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Click to
enlarge the picture
This belongs
in the instruments section as it is closely related to RPM
indicator's listed in these pages. |
RPM Counter drive(pg10 ins)
This is in superb boxed
serviceable condition (subject to required check's and
permits only opened for the picture and immediately
resealed. These drives were connected to the Merlin by the
normal direct drive cable that powered the
mechanical Rev counters .It generates an electric current
and power's the electrical type RPM indicator. This
type of indicator was used where it was impractical to use
direct drive cable's. They were used in all Mk's of
Lancaster's and many other Bombers where the cockpit or
engineers panel was far remote from the engine. It was
actually used to power the RPM gauge in the rear cockpit of
the very rare two seat Spitfire's. These do appear from time
to time but never in this condition, this should end up on a
flying aircraft.
Click
here to see this in the instrument's section
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Rolls-Royce Merlin and
Friends.
An 82 minute DVD in Pal format showing 5 different
aero-engines rigged for ground running in action, plus a
detailed walk round one of these, a 1941 Merlin XX,
explaining how it works, and other sections including
footage from our own workshops of engines being worked on.
The engines featured are a 1941 Merlin XX from a
Beaufighter IIF, a 1943 Merlin 24, a Griffon 58 from an Avro
Shackleton, Alvis Leonides from a Sea Prince, and to keep
the jet fans happy, a Rolls-Royce Derwent Mk8, ex Gloster
Meteor.
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Rolls-Royce Merlin and
Friends for sale
If you are in the USA or Canada,
you will need to check that your DVD player can also play
PAL discs, however, it will also play on a PC using Media
player or similar.
Proceeds from the sale of these discs
goes towards maintaining these engineering masterpieces so
that they can continue to pay tribute to the people who
built and flew them so many years ago.
FREE POSTAGE within the UK, £1.50
worldwide by air mail.
£15 each
Spitfire Spares is advertising his DVD on behalf Of
Peter Grieve. Please
contact Peter for purchase. |
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Rolls-Royce Merlin Carburettor (pg1 Pwr)
This is a genuine SU Carburettor
for a Merlin Engine it is very good complete condition and
should be serviceable after an overhaul.
Click on the
pictures to enlarge them
£1800
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Super Merlin Piston
with Con rod in excellent condition
N/A
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Merlin Piston 1 (pg1 Pwr)
The
short Merlin piston was introduced sometime around the beginning
of 1943 to combat skirt failures caused by cracking,
it was found that this part of the piston was not needed
and all subsequent engines had short pistons with the
exception of the Meteor.
Merlin are forged, looking
inside the piston it is easy to tell Merlin and Meteor
ones apart, as Meteors were cast.
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Above and below a
correct piston for the
Merlin XX which had had skirts
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MK XX Merlin Piston 1 (pg1 Pwr)
Above a Merlin XX Note
the skirted Pistons.
The Merlin XX which ran on 100 octane fuel. This allowed
it to be run at higher manifold pressures, which were
achieved by increasing the "boost" from the supercharger.
The result was that the engine delivered 1,300 hp
(970 kW). Another improvement made to the XX and future
Merlin variants was a redesign of the cooling system to
work using a 70/30% water/glycol mix rather than the 100%
glycol of the Merlin I, II and III series. This allowed
the engines to run some 70 degrees cooler, substantially
improving engine life and reliability. This also removed a
potential fire hazard from Merlin powered aircraft, as
pure ethylene-glycol is a flammable liquid
£180
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MK XX Merlin Sump (pg1 Pwr)
Click on the
pictures to enlarge them
He we have a sump for the
Merlin XX. It has been cleaned and in its present condition
is suitable for a static rebuilt project.
£550
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MK XX Merlin Crankcase (pg1 Pwr)
Click on the
pictures to enlarge them
Here we have a crankcase for the
Merlin XX. In its present condition
is suitable for a static rebuilt project.
£1800
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Click on the pictures to
enlarge them
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Merlin single stage induction tube (pg1 Pwr)
Here we have an induction tube
for an early single stage Merlin, seems to be in good
condition but selling as static use.
N/A
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MK XX Merlin inlet manifold 1 (pg1 Pwr)
Here we have a superb one piece
inlet manifold for the Merlin XX. Looks to be in superb
condition and should be Ok on a running engine subject to
relevant checks.
Click on
the pictures to enlarge them
£750
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MK XX Merlin inlet manifold
2 (pg1 Pwr)
Here we have a superb one piece
inlet manifold for the Merlin XX. Looks to be in superb
condition and should be Ok on a running engine subject to
relevant checks.
Click on
the pictures to enlarge them
£750
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Merlin Generator (pg1 Pwr)
Once again this Merlin
generator looks in excellent condition turns freely is
sealed and would appear to be serviceable subject to
relevant checks
Click on
the pictures to enlarge them
£1200
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Pictured under a Merlin 68
The Mk III Mustang was the original
high back version less recognisable to most than the P51 Mk
IV which had a bubble canopy seen under.
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Merlin ID Plate (pg1 Pwr)
This is an interesting an
unusual item. Its an id plate for a Merlin 68 series engine
but its not from the engine itself but was attached to the
crate the engine was supplied in. It has the specific ID for
the engine nos 366799.
From the information I can
find there seems to be some confusion as to whether the
Merlin 68 is a Rolls Royce produced engine which was copied
as the American built Packard Merlin V 1650 engine or
actually a Packard made engine.
One
thing is certain is that it was produced to power the P51 MK
III Mustang B and C .
A MK III Mustang in
British Colours gorgeous!!!
£95
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Original Spitfire/Hurricane engine plate (pg1 pwr) This
is an original cockpit engine data plate typically
fitted to large numbers of 2nd WW British
aeroplanes, especially in the early war days. They
were usually riveted to the cockpit side, alongside the
pilot. Often found in Battle of Britain Hurricane and
Spitfire wrecks, these are highly collectable as well as
forming an essential addition to a restoration or display.
£225
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Spitfire/Hurricane engine plate (pg1 pwr)
This brass
plate is an unused BLANK cockpit engine data plate typically
fitted to large numbers of 2nd WW British
aeroplanes, especially in the early war days. They were
usually riveted to the cockpit side, alongside the pilot.
Often found in Battle of Britain Hurricane and Spitfire
wrecks, these are highly collectable as well as forming an
essential addition to a restoration or display. The figures
were usually engraved to suit the particular engine and
application, but the boxes are BLANK in this case. These are
NOT cheap screen printed reproductions but are etched and
black printed in brass relief.
£75
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Hawker Tempest
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Bristol Centaurus Cylinder(pg1 pwr)
This is a Cylinder from a Bristol
Centaurus engine in very clean condition.
The Bristol Centaurus has 18 cylinders in two rows, and
is a sleeve-valved radial air-cooled engine. The first
version produced 2,000 bhp, and the most powerful variant
produced 3,200 bhp. It was the ultimate radial engine, and
was developed primarily for heavy bomber and transport
aircraft. Over 8,000 were produced. The Centaurus radial
engine made the Sea Fury one of the fastest piston-engine
aircraft ever built
The Centaurus powered the Hawker
Tempest, Hawker Fury and Sea Fury, Airspeed Ambassador,
Blackburn Beverley, Bristol Brigand and Vickers Warwick.
A great display item for the Hawker
enthusiast, the ultimate piston powered aero engine.
£275
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