Sale Price:
£30.00
Original Price:
£40.00
Copilot said:
This is a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine fluid/pressure line assembly, forming part of the oil or hydraulic system from one of the Merlin engines fitted to a wartime heavy bomber.
Manufactured from aluminium and steel, the assembly retains much of its original finish and colour, with only light surface corrosion present. For a crash-recovered item, it is in exceptional condition, showing no obvious impact damage. The piece remains solid throughout, has been carefully cleaned and preserved, and displays extremely well. Measuring approximately 17 inches in length, it would make an impressive addition to any aviation collection or display.
This component originates from RAF Lancaster Mk I LM271 of 207 Squadron, which was shot down by German anti-aircraft fire on 29 October 1944 whilst participating in an attack on the Kriegsmarine U-boat bunker "Bruno" at Bergen, Norway. The aircraft crashed at Kvarven, Bergen (Hordaland), and tragically all seven crew members lost their lives.
The crew were:
F/O David Campbell Church (RAAF)
Sgt Arthur Shatwell
Flt Sgt John McLean
Flt Sgt Colin Whitehead
Sgt Henry George Smith
Sgt Arthur Walmsley
Sgt James Hammond Russell Tuddenham
All are buried at Møllendal Cemetery, Bergen.
The part comes with two A5 laminated information sheets, including photographs of the crash site and detailed historical background.
This relic originates from a long-held private collection assembled over many years by a dedicated researcher who personally visited numerous crash sites, recovering items from both surface finds and excavated wrecks. These pieces are now being offered for sale for the first time.
The target of LM271's mission was the U-boat bunker "Bruno" at Bergen. Construction of the vast concrete facility began in 1941 and it went on to become the headquarters of the Kriegsmarine's 11th U-boat Flotilla. The bunker contained multiple wet pens, dry docks and maintenance facilities, making it an important base for German submarine operations in the North Atlantic.
Following the Allied landings in France during 1944, the strategic importance of Bergen increased significantly and the bunker became the target of repeated Allied bombing raids. One of the largest attacks took place in October 1944, when more than 150 aircraft were dispatched against the facility. Despite sustaining several direct hits, the immense reinforced-concrete structure remained largely operational.
The final successful attack came in January 1945 when RAF bombers armed with 12,000lb "Tallboy" bombs scored direct hits that rendered the bunker unusable for the remainder of the war.
A superb and historically significant Merlin engine component from a documented Lancaster loss, connected to the RAF's campaign against German U-boat bases and one of the most important strategic targets in occupied Norway.
Copilot said:
This is a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine fluid/pressure line assembly, forming part of the oil or hydraulic system from one of the Merlin engines fitted to a wartime heavy bomber.
Manufactured from aluminium and steel, the assembly retains much of its original finish and colour, with only light surface corrosion present. For a crash-recovered item, it is in exceptional condition, showing no obvious impact damage. The piece remains solid throughout, has been carefully cleaned and preserved, and displays extremely well. Measuring approximately 17 inches in length, it would make an impressive addition to any aviation collection or display.
This component originates from RAF Lancaster Mk I LM271 of 207 Squadron, which was shot down by German anti-aircraft fire on 29 October 1944 whilst participating in an attack on the Kriegsmarine U-boat bunker "Bruno" at Bergen, Norway. The aircraft crashed at Kvarven, Bergen (Hordaland), and tragically all seven crew members lost their lives.
The crew were:
F/O David Campbell Church (RAAF)
Sgt Arthur Shatwell
Flt Sgt John McLean
Flt Sgt Colin Whitehead
Sgt Henry George Smith
Sgt Arthur Walmsley
Sgt James Hammond Russell Tuddenham
All are buried at Møllendal Cemetery, Bergen.
The part comes with two A5 laminated information sheets, including photographs of the crash site and detailed historical background.
This relic originates from a long-held private collection assembled over many years by a dedicated researcher who personally visited numerous crash sites, recovering items from both surface finds and excavated wrecks. These pieces are now being offered for sale for the first time.
The target of LM271's mission was the U-boat bunker "Bruno" at Bergen. Construction of the vast concrete facility began in 1941 and it went on to become the headquarters of the Kriegsmarine's 11th U-boat Flotilla. The bunker contained multiple wet pens, dry docks and maintenance facilities, making it an important base for German submarine operations in the North Atlantic.
Following the Allied landings in France during 1944, the strategic importance of Bergen increased significantly and the bunker became the target of repeated Allied bombing raids. One of the largest attacks took place in October 1944, when more than 150 aircraft were dispatched against the facility. Despite sustaining several direct hits, the immense reinforced-concrete structure remained largely operational.
The final successful attack came in January 1945 when RAF bombers armed with 12,000lb "Tallboy" bombs scored direct hits that rendered the bunker unusable for the remainder of the war.
A superb and historically significant Merlin engine component from a documented Lancaster loss, connected to the RAF's campaign against German U-boat bases and one of the most important strategic targets in occupied Norway.
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