From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
The inspection of a downed Heinkel aircraft and a list of items recovered from it.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27\3\ Scan329 | |
| Date | 27th January 1939 guessed | |
| -4- (i) Oil - A sample of oil was taken from the starboard tank which was full (port tank apparently empty) (j) Tail wheel - the tail wheel was retractable. (k) Coolant - the header tank was marked 40 Glycerine, 60 Water but a sample tasted of Glycol while the liquid itself was the colour of milk. (l) ? Petrol Relief Valve - Sample to follow. I heard second-hand from one of the pilots that the plane was shot down by 3 Spitfires belonging to 602 Squadron Drem (Squadron Leader Farquar) and that the Spitfires at ¾ throttle could sit on the tail of the Heinkel. I am obtaining a set of the official photographs taken by the R.A.F. people and also I am contacting the Newsreel people to see if they have any photographs which might be useful. I also endeavoured to take some photographs with my camera and have sent the spool to H1/EJW for attention in the hope that a few may come out. Mr. Pattison of Farnborough was also present and as he was worrying me for details of Mag. Nos. etc. I told him that he could come and see the engine laid out at Derby. I omitted to note whether the two engines had the same direction of rotation or not. This point therefore wants clearing. I worked in conjunction with the Farnborough personnel who are to have the rest of the plane, and took nothing without their concurrence. The plane was guarded by Flying Officer J.B.Turnbull, The Air Ministry, A.I.1.G. King Charles Street, Whitehall, LONDON, S.W.1. ITEMS SENT WITH PLANE 1. Engine complete with mounting and airscrew. 2. Radiator (damaged) 3. 11 sheets of cowling. 4. 4 gallons of petrol. 5. Sample of oil. 6. Propeller blade with root (VDM) 7. Sample of 'perspex'. 8. Sample of rubber hose with coiled wire insert. 9. Petrol filter and body. 10. Petrol priming pump. 11. Data plate off engine. | ||