Generator 5u/187" type LX - Fairey Battle??

bananamafia · Feb 1, 2018

Newby here and hoping for some friendly help!
I have had a generator knocking around for a few years now and keep going back to try and research it, but my knowledge in the area is limited to say the least.
the generator is store coded "5u/187" type LX and is 750 watt

Does anyone know what aircraft would have been fitted with it, i once wondered if it was from a Fairey Battle.
Im really struggling to ID it

Does anyone know if the battle had this generator? or any ideas on which aircraft did?
I appreciate any pointers that may be thrown at me!!
kind regards
Ed

Crimea_River · Feb 1, 2018

The generator on a Battle and other RR Merlin-powered aircraft was mounted right on the engine (circled in yellow below)

I don't think it will be possible to trace it to a particular aircraft. Whereas engine serial numbers might have been recorded on individual aircraft movement cards, the various engine components would not have been as these parts were maintenance stock items. Can you post a more general picture, particularly of the flange end showing the shaft spline?

bananamafia · Feb 1, 2018

many thanks for taking the time to reply.
here are a few more pictures:

Crimea_River · Feb 1, 2018

OK, no expert myself but I think it could be from a Merlin. I worked on a Packard Merlin 29 and it had a different flange bolt arrangement (see below). However, and as we discovered, there were varying attachment bolt arrangements and it might still be possible that your 4 bolt generator came from a Merlin.

Yours does look like this one attached to a Merlin apparently displayed at IWM Duxford though the one pictured looks a bit more slender:

I have a partial copy of a Parts Catalogue for the 29 but the generator doesn't make it to the pages I have. I don't think it's the right one anyway for the engine I have the docs for. We'll need to get someone else to chirp in with more info.

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Crimea_River · Feb 1, 2018

PS. Found this pic with a mounted generator that looks a bit stubbier and more like yours:

bananamafia · Feb 5, 2018

sorry for the dealy in my reply, and thank you again for the information, it is greatly received.
Sorry to ask another possibly stupid question, but would the wattage make a difference?
I ask as whilst trying to ID the part, i stumbled across a page dedicated to the rebuild of a F. Battle, and it states:
"We have a 12 volt 750 watt LX generator (5U/187) but our volume one states that a 500 watt unit was used."
I wondered if the wattage generated, could narrow down the type of aircraft further? for example, if a hurricane needed 750watt of power.
Or am i complicating it for myself?

Crimea_River · Feb 5, 2018

A bit over my head but the wattage needed would depend on the power demand of the aircraft so yes it matters. If the Battle needed just 500 then perhaps your unit comes from a larger aircraft with more power demands such as turrets

Mechanic · Mar 15, 2018

Hi BM,

The answer is probably in the number 5U /187
This is an old RAF Section/Ref number and if you can find a listing it will explain what it is.
5U is the "Section" which is probably generators and the "Ref" No 187 will have an explanation as to what it is.
RAF publications are known as "APs" Air Publications and later some were shrunk onto microfiche and known as "FAPs" Fiche Air Publications.

The complete listing of RAF stores that I saw was FAP1086 refered to universally as the "Ten Eighty Six"
If you can find a listing of RAF Stores, find section 5U and ref 187 it will probably read "5U 187 Generator, (then the engine type)"

I would advise you look for "AP1086"or "FAP 1086". If you find one, please let me know.

Regards,

N.

Generator 5u/187" type LX - Fairey Battle??

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