B17 Flying Fortress formation — Historic Aviation Military

Aircraft Findings

Bendix Scintilla Aircraft Magneto Found in a
Warrington Scrapyard Near RAF Burtonwood. 

./photo-10-shop-screenshot-2025_1774957157859

The Magneto is a product of Bendix magneto division and aviation corporation Sydney N.Y. made in the USA made to Specification AN9511A 053AC286 the manufactures drawing number is 10-20700-1 Magneto type SF9LN-4 W30 ELECTRICAL OPERATION.

This section is presented to assist readers in understanding the electrical operation of Scintilla magnetos. The rotating magnet has four poles of alternate polarity. Each time the magnet rotates through a quarter turn, the polarity changes and causes the magnetic flux to flow in the oppo- site direction through the core of the coil. This reversing flux causes an alternating current to flow in the primary winding. Energy is stored in the magnetic circuit when the current flows in the primary winding.

The contact points are in series with the primary winding. When the maximum energy has been stored in the magnetic circuit, the cam lifts the cam follower which in turn separates the contact points. This breaks the primary circuit and causes a rapid change of flux in the magnetic circuit. This flux links the secondary winding which has many turns of fine wire. The rapid change of flux due to the opening of the contact points produces the high tension spark in the secondary winding.

One end of the primary winding is connected to the ground. The other end takes an insulated path through the contact points and then back to the ground. The condenser is connected across or in parallel with the contact points and absorbs the current produced by the self-inductance of the primary circuit during the time the contact points are open, thereby pre INSTALLATION venting current from arcing across the points which would cause burning and pitting of the points.

One end of the secondary winding is grounded and the other end terminates at the high tension carbon brush. The high tension spark then goes from the high tension carbon brush to the centrally located segment in the booster collector ring. From here, it is conducted through one of the screws which hold the booster collector ring and then to the high tension segment on the distributor cylinder. The spark then jumps to the distributor block electrodes and through the spark plugs and back to the ground.

The booster current comes through the booster cable which is connected to the booster terminal marked "H." From here, the current goes to the booster electrode, booster collector ring, and through one screw which secures the booster collector ring. It then is conducted to the booster segment in the distributor cylinder and across to the distributor block electrodes and spark plugs. The booster segment in the distributor cylinder trails the high tension segment and consequently gives a retarded spark.

The cable from the magneto switch is connected to the terminal marked "P" which is connected to the ground contact stud and the primary bridge of the coil. When the switch is in the "OFF" position, the primary current is not interrupted by the opening of the contact points. Thus the production of high voltage in the secondary is prevented.

Electrical Drawing For The Type SF9LN-4 W30 Magneto.

./photo-1-try_1774955367373 On The Top Left is The Magneto Output
Cables That Go To The Spark Plugs.

./photo-2-shop-screenshot-2025_1774955863264The Mechanical Drive Shaft.

./photo-3-shop-screenshot-2025_1774955743272

The Magneto Coil With The Coil Cover Removed. 

./photo-4-shop-screenshot-2025_1774955996415 The Bottom of The Magneto. 

./photo-5-shop-screenshot-2025_1774956123847The Side of The Magneto Showing The Output Cables on
The Top Left & The Contact Point's on The Bottom Right.

./photo-6-shop-screenshot-2025_1774956264752Close Up Details of The Contact Point's.

./photo-7-shop-screenshot-2025_1774956484368The End of The Magneto With The Contact Point's Cover Removed. 

./photo-8-shop-screenshot-2025_1774956526742Close Up of The Magneto Coil With The Cover Removed. 

./photo-9-shop-screenshot-2025_1774956584074Close Up of The Scintilla Magneto Data Plate.

./photo-10-shop-screenshot-2025_1774956625019Found on the Mary Ann Site at RAF Burtonwood is a Hamilton
Standard Propeller blade gear segment and a Curtiss power gear

Hamilton Standard became the primary propeller manufacturer for the Allies during World War II. Virtually the entire front-line inventory, from multi-engine bombers to fighter and transport aircraft, as well as a significant majority of RAF aircraft, employed Hydromatic propellers. Hamilton Standard and its three licensees--refrigerator manufacturers Frigidaire and Nash-Kelvinator, and office equipment maker Remington-Rand--produced 530,135 Hydromatic propeller assemblies during the war. Vintage advertisement for Hamilton Standard Hydromatic Quick-feathering Propellers.

The Hamilton Standard propeller blade gear segment located at Burtonwood is driven by a rotating cam, which is actuated by a hydraulic piston inside the propeller hub. The piston's forward or aft movement, controlled by the governor and engine oil pressure, causes the cam to rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise, respectively, thereby turning the blade gears and changing the blade angle (pitch).

The propeller blade gear segment was found at Burtonwood.

The Hamilton Standard blade gear segment is

attached to the base of each of the propellers

Hamilton Standard detail of the blade gear to the blade bushing

Details of the Hamilton Standard hub and blade assembly.

Hamilton standard Propeller dome with mounted

distribution valve and rotating cam gear.

Company Logo of Curtiss electric controlled constant

speed, selective pitch, and feathering, propellers.

The Method of the Curtiss pitch control.is an Electrical system that is a small, reversible electric motor that regulates the blade angle change of the Curtiss electric propeller. The electric current for operating this motor is obtained from the airplane's power battery.. This motor, through a series of gears, drives a power gear that in turn meshes with a gear attached to the shank of each blade. The electric motor, reduction gears, and power gear are part of a compact unit called the power unit, which is mounted on the front face of the hub. Curtiss propeller power gear that was found at RAF Burtonwood

Curtiss propeller power gear that was found at RAF Burtonwood

Detail of Curtiss power- gear assembly

Curtiss power gear unit of the 3-blade propeller, conventional type.

Removal and installation chart of the Curtiss electric propeller.

Curtiss electrical pitch panel for twin-engine aircraft

Made of metal by the Dupont Corporation.

This ash tray/change dish advertisesthe photo writ photocopy paper.Dimensions: 6.5" diameter x 1" high.Weight: 9.2 Oz.

Same as Above but Turned 180 degrees

50 Calibre Spent Link Ejector

Chute Found 5th of October 2014

Aircraft Airframe Part Embedded in the Ground

No Factory Numbers or Part Numbers Visible

CMC 329 GPH Aircraft Fuel Pump Designed by MC Manufacturing Company Detroit Found at Burtonwood 10th of May 2015

It's a filter from a Bendix Stromberg PD-12H2 carburettor, as fitted to Wright Cyclone R-1820-97 engines on B-17s.

This is the Same Grill/Filter Actually Fitted

to a Stromberg PD-12H2 Carburettor

Concur, link ejection chute from a .50 cal aircraft

machine gun manufactured in this case by Emerson.

Part Found at Burtonwood 5th of October 2014?

There are a variety of numbers engraved

and stamped on this item.

There is:

GR-ET

SP 3572 - 2

RD24606

ET740E

Thanks again to Paul Bellamy for the Info.

Another View of The Item Above

Type AN-B-10 100- 1600 Lb's Bomb Shackle

Found at Burtonwood 5th of October 2014

The bomb shackle was clipped to a bomb

and then installed in the bomb bay.

The shackle held the bomb in the rack and was tripped

by an electrical release unit to drop the bomb.

The shackle remained on the aircraft and was re-used.

The following numbers can clearly be seen on the bomb shackle on this image below:

Order Number W-535-AC-27778 (on the left hand side) 43D10158 (on the right hand side lower down)

Updated 30th of March 2014

Fuel Tank Filler Port (flap) Cover (inside)

Found on the 30th of March

2014 at Burtonwood

part number: 4138119

(546 is also above that number)

Any ideas of which aircraft this is from?

Close up View of Above Fuel Tank

Filler Port (flap) Cover (inside) part number: 4138119 (546 is also above that number in a sort of square shape) Any ideas of which aircraft this is from?

Fuel Tank Filler Port (flap) Cover (outside)

Found on the 30th of March

2014 at Burtonwood

There is some writing in ink on this but

we cannot make it out clearly?

It looks like it says:

'Fuel Tank Filler'

Any ideas of which aircraft this is from?

Side 1 of a Slightly Rounded Black

4" Disk - Bolted to Plexiglass Found on the 30th of March 2014 at Burtonwood

Side 2 of a Slightly Rounded Black

4" Disk - Bolted to Plexiglass

Found on the 30th of March

2014 at Burtonwood

This part is built into the roof of the navigators astrodome.

The centre metal has an inside thread to support the weight of a navigators sextent.

This was sometimes used because the sextent was quite heavy to hold.

Here is an image showing the item actually on the roof of the astrodome.

Propeller Barrel Assembly Housing

Found on the 23rd of March 2014 at Burtonwood Any ideas of which aircraft this is from?

Window Frame

Found on the 23rd of March 2014 at Burtonwood The part number in a circle is 138 Any ideas of which aircraft this is from?

Same Window Frame as

Above Cleaned up Side 1

Same Window Frame

Not Yet Cleaned Side 2

B-17 Fuel Tank Filler Cap.

Found on the 19th of January 2014 at Burtonwood Part Number: 3-20755

Photo Below is a Bracket Part.

(Found at Burtonwood Today

18th of August 2013)

The Part Numbers Stamped On it are:

24 (in a circle) 32E1503-6

Assembly Number 32E1503

Faint ink stamp with date May 25th 1944

Faint Number is 195

Thanks to Paul Bellamy For Identifying the part as:

32E1503-6

32= B-24 Liberator E = Electrical system Other than that, it's the 6th part of sub-assembly 1503

Photo Below is a Main Switch Cover.

It is a Main Switch For 'Gun Off'

Left Hand & Right Hand 'Gun Off'.

The Part Numbers Stamped

On it On The Reverse Side Are:

T1283

AM

J27

P-51 Mustang Wing Bomb Rack

The Part Numbers

Stamped On it Are:

109-63117

AN D78 (In a Circle)

Part numbers prefixed 109 are originally for the P-51D.

The casting is a bit corroded, so the number is 109-63117:

Support Assembly, Wing Bomb Rack, Rear, Left Hand.

Component part of 109-63218: Mechanism Assembly, Bomb Rack, LH. (Thanks again to Paul Bellamy for his help finding out what this item was for and which aircraft it was fitted on as well)

Photo Below is Part of The Exhaust System.

It is a Starboard-Side Exhaust Manifold Sleeve From a P-47 Thunderbolt.

The Part Numbers Stamped On it Are:

BUHL 171-2-2

89P87132 2

C-89-67-132-2

89-prefixed parts are from a P-47. The letter indicates which section of the airframe it belongs in, P = powerplant, i.e. the engines and related items. The next two letters indicate the subsystem, 67 = Installation, Exhaust System. This is a sleeve from a P-47 starboard-side exhaust manifold section joint. The matching sleeve for the port side is 89P67132-3.

Found at Burtonwood

23rd of June 2013. (Thanks again to Paul Bellamy for his help finding out what this item was for and which aircraft it was fitted on as well)

Photo Below is Part of The Exhaust

System From a P-47 Thunderbolt.

The Part Numbers Stamped On it Are:

BUHL 171-2-9

89P67107

C-89-67-107

We can't find item 89P67107 specifically listed anywhere but, as noted above, the 89P67xxx number means it also has to be part of a P47 exhaust system.

Found at Burtonwood

23rd of June 2013. (Thanks again to Paul Bellamy for his help finding out what this item was for and which aircraft it was fitted on as well)

Photo Below is Part of The Exhaust

System From a B-24 Liberator.

The Part Numbers Stamped On it Are:

1-2884

SOLAR

32P1721

32-prefixed parts are from a B-24. Again, the letter indicates which section of the airframe it belongs in, thus 32P = B-24 powerplant. This is an exhaust section from between one of the the forward bank of cylinders and the collector ring. Solar is the sub-contractor who supplied this particular part, the Solar Aircraft Co.

Found at Burtonwood

23rd of June 2013. (Thanks again to Paul Bellamy for his help finding out what this item was for and which aircraft it was fitted on as well)

Photo Below is a Casting

Support Rudder Trim Tab Control From a B-17

Boeing

9-5067-1

DH

Found at Burtonwood

16th of June 2013. (Thanks again to Paul Bellamy for his help finding out what this item was for and which aircraft it was fitted on as well)

Aircraft Aluminium P47 Supercharger Wastegate Shroud, With Part Number Visible As Shown in Photos.

Found at Burtonwood 26th of May 2013. The bulge at the top is to clear the flap operating mechanism, so the post and starboard shrouds are mirror images. Please Note: This one is a starboard one (Right Side) and we found another one of these in 2012 & not far from this newer one, although that one was a portside one (Left Side). More info on the portside one can be found on this page further down.

Close-up Of Part Number:

89P67146R

Newcomer.

We would just like to mention here that we were contacted by a very proud mum (Jayne) asking us if we could help out with information regarding the history and layout of the USAAF Burtonwood base during WW2. The story goes that after buying a house in the Chapelford area of Warrington Jayne's 12 Year old daughter Megan became extremely interested in the history of the USAAF Burtonwood base. And after after a few emails to each other Megan & her brother Aaron joined me and Malcolm on the base detecting for WW2 aircraft parts today the 26th of May 2013. Here below is their photo of Megan holding the waste gate shroud in her hands that we all found. Me & Malcolm are very proud of this young girl's interest and we applaud her.

Below is an M235 Trailing Wire Antenna Reel We Found at Burtonwood USAAF Today

We Think That This Might Be an Exhaust Manifold From a B-24 Liberator?

If you think differently then email us at:

[email protected]

Part Number (stamped in ink in a circle) is:

19

The other serial numbers are:

12 930-12-13

Solar

32P1004-7

And on the large manufacturers label other numbers & manufacturers info can

easily be seen on the 3rd photo.

Found at Burtonwood on the 14th of October 2012.

Does Anyone Know What

Aircraft This is From?

If you do then email us at:

[email protected]

Part Number (stamped in ink in a circle) is:

FBFW

24

Found at Burtonwood on the 9th of September 2012.

Yet Another Exhaust Manifold:

Part Number is:

5115224-6

5115224-6 is the part number for an exhaust collector ring segment for a Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp, particularly for the C-47 and C-119 installations. (Thanks again to Paul Bellamy for his help finding out what this item was for and which aircraft it was fitted on as well)

Found at Burtonwood on the 12th of August 2012.

Frontplate of an RT-1/APN-1 Transceiver

Part of the AN/APN-1 Radio (Radar) Altimeter system: Found at Burtonwood on the 22nd of April 2012. Thanks to Paul Bellamy Regarding The Research of Most of The Items on This Page.

Page Updated 1st April 2012

Group Picture of Our Latest Finds

(1st April) at Burtonwood USAAF Base.

Navigators Instruments All Found

Together at Burtonwood.

Please note: We Found Many More Than These But Some of Them Have Parts

Missing or Are Slightly Damaged.

Found at Burtonwood on the 1st of April 2012.

Page Updated 11th March 2012

Oxygen Cylinder - We Think it

Could be a 'Bale Out Bottle'?

Any Ideas?

Numbers on it Look Like:

E432

LARE

214 1/2

Found at Burtonwood on the 11th of March 2012.

Hydraulic CylinderP-51D undercarriage fairing door (wheel cover) actuating strut.

106-58041: Strut Assembly 106-58702: Operating Strut End

Serial No. 10656-2304

Assem 106 58041

E38 106-58702

Found at Burtonwood on the 4th of March 2012.

Here's One Actually in

Place on a p-51 Mustang.

Technical Order For Replacement

of Piston Rod TO 01-60JE-19

We Aren't Sure What

This is Really? We Thought it Was a Portable Oxygen Bottle Because it Has The Words'POATAB'Written on The Top of The Cylinder (Photo 2 Below). It Also Has These Numbers Imprinted Around The Neck of The Cylinder:

'800 3-43'

Any Ideas What This Item is or ANY of

The Other items Are on our Site?

Contact: [email protected]

Found at Burtonwood 12th February 2012.

This is an Allison Engine Carburettor Grill From a P38-Lockhead Lightning.

It Also Has These Numbers Imprinted on it: '37364-G' Found at Burtonwood 12th February 2012.

Aircrew Headphone Receivers.

Found at Burtonwood 29th January 2012.

Computer True Airspeed

A.C. Type - G-1 Found at Burtonwood 29th January 2012.

We Aren't Sure About This Part?

It is Obviously an Aluminium Alloy Aircraft Part. The Part Number is: F912-499-63 If You Know What This Part is From Then E-Mail Us .... Found at Burtonwood 23rd January 2012.

Air Cooling/Ducting Component off a P47 Thunderbolt.

The Part Number is: EA-105871 Found at Burtonwood 23rd January 2012.

The ductwork (shown below) blows cooled air onto the engine's electrical generator.

However, the generator itself was a standard US supply item, Generator, AC, No. 95-32274, designed & built by......Fairchild.

Anyone Know What

This Part is From? It is a Plexiglass Canopy Part With Olive Green Frame. There is an Identification Symbol On This Part. It Has a Circle WithHTin the Top Half & Some More Letters Beneath it, But We Cannot Make Them Out? Found at Burtonwood 23rd January 2012.

Basic Interphone Equipment From The Magnavox Company Fort Wayne Indiana.

Type RL-24C. Found at Burtonwood 15th January 2012.

Aircraft Aluminium P47 Supercharger Wastegate

Shroud, With Part Number Visible As Shown in Photos. Found at Burtonwood 15th January 2012.

Close-up Of Part Number:

89P67146L

Here's one in position, just aft

of the oil cooler outlets.

The bulge at the top is to clear the flap operating mechanism, so the post and starboard shrouds are mirror images.

Here's a port-side one like ours & even the four bolt holes match up:

Navigator's Computer Time & Distance Dial (We Think?).

Found at Burtonwood around 15th January 2012.

USAAF Aircraft Cockpit Part.

Found at Burtonwood around July 2011.

The plexiglass frame is painted olive drab green on the outside & black on the inside, with 2 red-painted levers with catches on, which move up and down a yellow sign with red writing, which reads 'Emergency Use Only'. I have looked on Google images and found an image of the inside of a Liberator B24 & I think it looks exactly the same. Curved Plexiglass. Found at Burtonwood August 2011.

Diluter Demand Oxygen

Regulator Plate. Found at Burtonwood August 2011.

Signal Corps US Army Radio Receiver &

Loop Rotator BC 470-E Made By Air Communications-Inl.

Turbo Control Main

Junction Box Cover.

General Electric

Tachometer After Cleaning.

Hydraulic Part.

Does Anyone Have Any

Idea What This is?

General Electric

Tachometer Generator.

Exhaust Manifold.

Some Type of Hydraulic Part.

Zippo Lighter Found at Burtonwood

at Gate 4 Near to The Original Entrance (Photo Below). Photo Took in 1984.

This lighter belonged to L.E. Walrod. of The 22nd Air Refuelling Squadron.

On the reverse side of the lighter it has inscribed: 'England No. Africa Thule Newfoundland Alaska'

The Following Photos Are From a Classified Location

Near Burtonwood That Were Taken in 1995. Aircraft Engine Mount.

Aircraft Engine Mount With Trees Growing Through The Middle of it.

Partly Buried Aircraft Aluminium Parts.