History Of Spitfire Engine

[Tumper]

Hi

I am trying to trace the identity of an engine which some years ago was stored at the Botolphs Bridge Inn which is located at Lower Wall Road, West Hythe Hythe, Kent.

This engine was stored there many years ago and was I am told shown at the Wrotham Steam Fair ?, a few times.

Anyone know the id of the Aircraft or the owner I know it's a long shot, I trust answering is not a problem here



Thanks

[Andy Saunders]

I think an engine that has been recently linked (possibly) to this specific RR Merlin was recently sold on e-bay. Am I correct?

I think there may be some question mark hanging over its provenance and ownership if I am thinking of the same engine.

[Tumper]

Wow how very astute you are, yes it is alleged that an engine was allegedly misappropriated from the above premises last seen been taken away behind a brown vehicle, it may or may not have been one sold on ebay I am trying to establish the facts behind it.

I have asked about this on another forum only for very strange things to occur there

[Andy Saunders]

This engine was supposed to be from the Spitfire of 92 Squadron lost at Postling Wents, Kent, on 12 October 1940. At least, that is how it was described on e-bay. I am by no means certain that it was from this aeroplane, but I could be wrong. I have an original 49 MU report that points very strongly away from it being from that aeroplane.

Either way, my understanding is that the e-bay vendor stated it to have been recovered from this crash site but information subsequently emerged on another forum to possibly link this engine with one that was stolen some years ago from a Kent pub.

I cannot help with whom the original "owner" was and from whom said engine was allegedly stolen. However, it would be interesting if some clues could emerge as to who this person was and to know whether the engine sold on e-bay was one and the same.

Clearly, a sensitive area. However, lets hope that if some nefarious deeds have been exposed through e-bay trading of a supposed Battle of Britain relic then the guilty party (ies) and victims (e-bay buyer and previous owners) might now be identified.

Someone must know!

[Tapper]

Hi Andy,

Well said, Ebay is a great trading area but my big hate is people posting knowingly false information just to increase the value.
Its far better to simply state "history lost" as false info will follow that item through time and deceive all.
Like you I know of several lying traders and it winds me up to the point I have even emailed winning / high bidders to warn them

The 109 tyre I sold without history acheived a price I am still recovering from, I had to check I wasnt including the aircraft too!!!...so who needs to fib?

[Andy Saunders]

I don't think it is possible any longer to contact other bidders, is it Tapper?

There are some known offenders, and we recently had a piece of Dornier 17 that was painted to represent a portion of Messerschmitt 109 swastika. A great deal of other forged 1940 paperwork was recently listed but removed by the seller after I flagged-up that is was fake.

Fortunately it is sometimes possible to warn buyers through forums like this about doubtful e-bay items, although some forums take a dim view of these issues being raised in a public spirited way - as I recently discovered to my cost!

[Andy Saunders]

With a sigh of relief I can now say, definitely, that the shenanigans on another forum that seemed to have been kicked off by discussion about this engine were - after all - not shenanigans about this engine at all!

Confused? So am I !

[XM692.]

We're rooting for you Andy !


.

[Benyboy]

.... even the members you dont know.

[BSG-75]

Originally Posted by Benyboy

.... even the members you dont know.

and others that you know via mail !