The Fairey Battle Project.

Introduction to the project.

The first aircraft to land at RAF Binbrook when the station opened in July 1940 were the Fairey Battle bombers of 12 and 142 Squadron.

Both squadrons had fought bravely and with distinction during the Battle of France and the low countries.

The first two Victoria crosses of world war two being awarded to a 12 Squadron crew for destroying vital bridges over the Albert Canal.

The long term aim of the project is to put a Fairey Battle bomber back into the air.

LINCAIR has been involved in the Fairey Battle project which has just returned home to the UK from Canada and many thanks are owed to The RAF Museum and to Lewis and the boys at Medway Restoration for access to L5343.

'Seek out the lost and hidden'.

Several years of quiet research and parts collection have already taken place.

A number of locations for substantial aircraft remains have been identified and the possibility of recovering an original ex:- Binbrook airframe is not yet out of the question.

Fairey Battle airframe.

We now have photocopies of the Fairey Battle Air Publication.

AP1527A - Standard aircraft.

AP1527B - Trainer aircraft.

AP1527C - Towed target aircraft.

Volume one, the repair manual and the illustrated parts manual with amendment details through to January 1943 (AL12).

Genuine enquiries from other Fairey Battle restorers for particular details are most welcome.

Fairey Battle hydraulics.

Our RAF Halton standard trade training notes for 1940 describe the Fairey Battle 'Lockheed' hydraulic system in detail however we require more information on the individual 'Lockheed' and 'Zwicky' components.

During the war, Lockheed hydraulic parts were made in England at the Automotive Products Company Ltd, Tachbrook Road, Leamington Spa and similar parts were used on the Phillips & Powis Miles 'Master' trainer aircraft.

Rolls-Royce Merlin III.

A small number of new boxed Merlin and Packard Merlin engine spares are available for swap and information on a Merlin III for overhaul/rebuild is required..

We have a 12 volt 750 watt LX generator (5U/187) but our volume one states that a 500 watt unit was used.

Any further information regarding the 'in service' Fairey Battle 12 volt DC system would be appreciated.

We have a spare 29 volt 1500 watt Rotax KX generator (5U/389) type B1506 (Avro Lancaster / Lincoln) with serviceable RCAF tag from overhaul in December 1952 available for any possible Merlin III parts swap deal.

Transmitter / Receiver / DF Loop / Antenna.

A great deal of time and effort has gone into identifying the correct antenna mast and any information would be most appreciated.

We have some images of the R1082 and T1083 but require both units or parts of them suitable for restoration.

Grateful thanks to Phil Racher for supplying copies of the AP's and the technical information regarding the aerials.

R1082 Receiver - front view.

T1083 Transmitter - front view.

T1083 Transmitter - rear view.

T1083 Transmitter - side view.

We have found a new 10A/9702 DF loop remote controller but are unsure if one was fitted to the Fairey Battle.

Electrical installations.

We have many of the electrical fittings but will have to use Canadian manufactured items if the British ones are unavailable.

We have some spare new RCAF stock fuse boxes Type A - 5C/445 available for swap.

This is the undercarriage indicator switch we require.

Instruments.

This is the undercarriage indicator we require.

A MK1A oil temperature gauge has been found in the USA but we still require the 6A/616 blind flying panel and the mountings.

Latest news.

Someone at Westland Helicopters Limited at Hayes with access to the Fairey Aviation archive back in the 1970's produced a short but comprehensive set of hand written drawings, photocopied original 1939 Heaton Chapel dope shop documents and Fairey Battle photographs for another mystery organisation.

The Fairey Aviation Company Ltd binder is dated Draft of March 1951 and updated 18th April 1970.

It details the Fairey Battle camouflage scheme and the RAF 12 Squadron AASF markings for Fairey Battle III (P2332) piloted by Flying Officer N. Thomas lost on the famous 'Bridge Raids'.

I only know your initials IDH but on behalf of everyone in Fairey Battle restoration we thank you for leaving such detailed information for future generations.

There is a reference on a hand written drawing (06 April 1978) for a 'Jolly Jack Wood' to keep it so if anyone can enlighten us further, we would really appreciate it.

Thanks to Richard A. Franks the true identity of 'IDH' has now come to light!

Donations of parts for our Fairey Battle project are most welcome and Fairey Battle spares (24JJ) and (26JJ) are always wanted.

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All rights reserved. Last updated 12 January 2007 by Ray Whiteley. lincair@binbrook.demon.co.uk

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