@sk the Experts Questions & Answers

Nils Hempel from Germany asked: Q: I have same parts from a british warcraft found into a see during the ww2. any aluminium-parts have a lot of numbers. one found is a fuel gauges, and a switch-cover from the cockpit. I dont know what type of bomber here crashed. can you help me? A: This is a Simmonds gauge indicating the fuel contents of the No.2 fuel tank from a Short Stirling bomber. The second picture shows the top section from a standard British cockpit lamp as used in almost all British aircraft of WW2. The rectangular cut-out would originally have contained a red lens. Martin Painter asked: Q: I need to repaint the prototype Nimrod XV148 but am not sure if I should strip back to bare metal or just sand down and have an expert respray? Mick Jennings, RAF Coltishall Cockpit Collection answered: A: So long as the existing paint surface is relatively sound then there shouldn't necessarily be the need to return to bare metal, in fact in-service RAF aircraft are rarely completely stripped before repainting. Just ensure that any loose paint is removed, and surface damage is made good then rub the existing paint surface back to provide a good key for the new paint.