[Ex Shack]

Hi
I think the metal piece with "Brake- Free- Ratchet" on it was part of the trailing aerial mechanism and would have been in the W/Op's position.Note the notches on the edge of the metal. The trailing aerial would have been wound onto a pulley probably about 8 ins across and would have been let out by the W/op after take off. He could let it out against a ratchet,or let it run free and use the brake to stop it when he had a long enough wire trailing behind the a/c.It was primarily used for the Medium Frequency band, the notches would have enabled the W/op to select the method of letting it out i.e hand winding against the ratchet, or running free and using the brake to stop it when enough was extended.He would probably use the free setting most, when winding the aerial back into the a/c prior to landing.My experience of it was post war as an Air Signaller
I think that the aerial was fairly standard for several types.
Regards
Dick