MEDWAY AIRCRAFT PRESERVATION SOCIETY Ltd

Both engines are in a very poor condition with extensive corrosion and damage and it will be a challenge to bring them up to a presentable standard for display with the remainder of the client's  aeroplane.  Most of the accessories had already been removed from both engines. 

 

The engine on the left (above) has extensive corrosion of the aluminium alloy parts, particularly the cylinder casing which has been totally eroded through the wave action of sea water, leaving only the steel parts including the cylinder liners virtually intact.  The casings of the gearbox and supercharger are also severely corroded.  The lower crankcase was less corroded, being protected by a thick layer of silt and MAPSL has managed to remove this without further damage.  Freeing other parts has proved very difficult and time consuming, with damaged parts of the aluminium casing having to be carefully cut away to release potentially salvageable other parts which are mainly steel.  The supercharger has been successfully cut from the remainder of the engine but the gearbox is giving considerable problems. 

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The engine on the right (above) has less corrosion but the gearbox on the front and the supercharger at the rear have both broken away and are missing.  Such fracturing is common with Merlin engines recovered from crashed aeroplanes.  MAPSL has currently to start work on this engine.