Bristol Beaufort AW288 navigation lamp cover


This is possibly the first piece of Beaufort aeronautica to come to light. Both Mark and I are very grateful to Mike Rowe for contacting us regarding his recent, unusual acquisition. As you will see, the navigation lamp cover is in excellent all-round condition, clearly displaying its unique Drawing Number and Sub-Contractor stamps. The much later added sticker suggests that this part originated from the wreckage at Roscroggan. Someone has scribed the word "Beaufort" onto the alloy casing, presumably after collecting the part, as it doesn't look like it was done as part of the manufacturing process or by somebody with experience of inscribing metal. Our investigations have proven that this is a genuine Bristol Aeroplane Company lamp cover which was installed on Beauforts and Beaufighters. Consideration has also been given to the fact that no other aircraft were lost in the area and that the local children confessed to removing parts from the aircraft. However, It was always believed that the port wing tip caused damage to the cottage that once stood diagonally opposite to the little chapel. This understanding would make the lamp cover a very lucky survivor indeed. It is now impossible to say exactly what happened immediately after the starboard wing cut into the chapel roof. Therefore, at this time, we are unable to definitively state that this aircraft part is from Bristol Beaufort AW288....... but it could be.

Ewen Cameron, Curator of the Royal Air Force Museum Stafford, has confirmed that this is a standard part only manufactured and used by Bristol in their Beaufort and Beaufighter models although it cannot be definitively attributed to any one particular aeroplane.

"While I cannot comment on the validity of the claim that the item is associated with AW288, I can confirm that the drawing number corresponds to navigational lamps used on a number of Bristol aircraft including the Beaufighter and Beaufort. It would appear that Bristol chose to produce many of their own fixtures and fitting rather than use the more common route of using Air Ministry supplied items. As you may have already guessed, this particular item would have been situated in the front section of the port wingtip and would have been covered by a aerodynamically shaped, clear panel."



Email from Mike Rowe QVRM

"Dear Mr Ward.

Further to your email dated 20th October I trust the details below will suffice.

I purchased a lot from Martyn Rowe Auctioneers recently and amongst the items I discovered the red light lens with the sticker stating it was from the Beaufort crash at Roscroggan chapel. I searched the internet and came across your website. I then contacted you by email which you will have copies of. I am very happy to donate this lens and hope very much that it is genuine. I understand that it will be donated to the RBL in memory of the crew who perished.

Kind Regards

Mike Rowe QVRM."



If you click on any of these thumbnails your browser will display the full size photograph in a new tab. Photography and research by Ben Ward.






Schematic diagram of the Bristol Beaufort port wing shows the location of the lamp cover - it was fitted under the clear cover at location 25.