Tyre ID help please

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S

Steve Skillman

Recruit
8
4
Oct 26, 2025
My dad was a Mosquito Pathfinder pilot. He collected 4 tyres in/after the war and helped us build go-carts with them.
We remember him saying they were spitfire (tail) wheels. But really we don't know.
If anyone can help with the attached pictures would appreciate.
Thanks guys!




 
Last edited by a moderator:
Welcome to the site.

Could you tell us if the wheel hub is an orginal one or not? If it is the genuine there has to be marking/number started with AH or AHO or number 83x for instance. Is there the WJ14 or WM14 marking somewhere on the tyre?
 
Sorry Steve,
Spitfire tailwheels were tyre size 3x4 and later, 3 and 1/4 x4 size. The alloy hubs were numbered AH2184.
Rocketeer did an excellent video just a few months back that is on this forum. Actually on 31 July 2025,

When is a Spitfire tailwheel not a Spitfire tailwheel? Or how to make sure you buy the real thing!


Cheers

Eng
 

Yes, as memo serves the 3-4 and 4.00-3.1/4 or 3.1/2 markings depended on the time. All depended on the hub number ( size). Therefore I asked about the hub and the markings on it. But I agree it doesn't look like the tyre for the Spitfire. Also most of them were of the static conducting type.
The list of British planes used the tyre size is longer and not limited to the aircraft type. I would add the Seafire to the list you may find with the link below. So if it would have to be an aircraft started with the "S" I would say the Seafire then. The hub smells a post war time. But let's wait for the replay to my question.

VINTAGE WW2 ERA AIRPLANE TAIL WHEEL

Hello. I am new to the site. Looking for someones expertise! A friend of mine has his great uncles tail wheel....believed to have been brought back after the war. We are not sure what it is from. It appears the sidewalls of the tire were painted silver or white at one time. Tire size is...
ww2aircraft.net
 
Probably from an Airspeed Oxford. They had three different tail wheel options one of which is:



Not from an Anson as they had:


Definitely not from a Lysander because they had:


Not a Swordfish:


Not a Hurricane"


Not a Defiant:
 
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Actually the early Spitfire tailwheels were part number AH2184/1X according to the Spitfire manuals.
 
No need to point things out, have a look at Rocketeers post on 31 July 2025, on page 2 of this thread. The video shows the details.

Eng
 
MiTasol said:
Page 2 of which thread? Please.
Click to expand...


I think Eng means the thread the title poste above. Here the link ...

When is a Spitfire tailwheel not a Spitfire tailwheel? Or how to make sure you buy the real thing!

Hi guys and gals! I have not posted for sometime, apart from answering questions. Anyway, please find link to my latest vlog from Aviaddicts. The intent is to create a sort of pseudo aircraft vlog magazine featuring restoration, museums, walk thrus, airfields….in fact everything aviation. It is...
ww2aircraft.net
 
Wurger said:
Welcome to the site.

Could you tell us if the wheel hub is an orginal one or not? If it is the genuine there has to be marking/number started with AH or AHO or number 83x for instance. Is there the WJ14 or WM14 marking somewhere on the tyre?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the fast reaction!
Checked the hubs which are badly corroded but found a reference number: AW51 JSD LH2352
Steve
 

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Steve Skillman said:
Thanks for the fast reaction!
Checked the hubs which are badly corroded but found a reference number: AW51 JSD LH2352
Steve
Click to expand...

Din't find anything on the numbers you found there. However on the Key.aero forum I found the same looking tyre - 4.95 - 3.5 Electrically Conducting - ZA9 , s/n 6423289 ( even the serial is quite close to your 6503485 ). But the hub is the AHO 5023/1X. It is suggested being from Fairey Battle, Swordfish and Fulmar 1 and 2.


It looks like the tyre could be used with other hubs at that time. Ceratinly it doesn't mean the tyre was used just for the suggested planes because somebody could fit the tyre to a hub he just had. As MiTasol posted in #5 , the only one that is listed with the tyre of the size is the Airspeed Oxford although the hub was of the AHO 5779 number.
 
Okay - found it. Good video except that it goes silent for me at about the 7 minute mark - on two different browsers.

According to AP 1517 vI e2 A.H.O.5023 is the Swordfish tailwheel.
 
Very interesting...
Dad did his night-flying training on Oxfords at RAF South Cerney in Gloucs from 1.1.-3.5.1944.
He also trained pilots in Montrose on Oxfords and Harts at the beginning of the war, before being posted to Rhodesia as an instructor.
He didn't fly Battles, Swordfish or Fulmars according to the records.
However, I suppose he could have picked them up anywhere as he moved in and out of some 15 Airlines after the war.
Seems like the tyres may have been mounted on hubs lying around which they fitted. Amazingly after many years of storage they are still inflated!
Thanks for your rapid research! I guess we can't get much futher?
 
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Steve Skillman said:
Thanks for your rapid research!
Click to expand...

My pleasure.

Steve Skillman said:
I guess we can't get much futher?
Click to expand...

It depends on what you mean. If you are interested in any particular aircraft that could be associated with the tail wheel it is not possible rather. I mean the squadron , airbase or serial. However all info posted above by MiTasol indicated the Airspeed Oxford plane. The tyre size is correct and listed. Also the number AW 51 of the hub is said to be used with the plane. So we may agree that the type of the kite could be.
 
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