Nantwich, Cheshire auctioneers Peter Wilson are selling this item, believed to be from the engine of a fighter plan which was steered away from houses in the town into the River Weaver by a heroic American pilot.
Every year poppy wreaths are still laid at
the memorial to 23-year-old 1st Lt Arthur L Brown of the US Army
Air Force on the banks of the river.
On January 14, 1944, the New Yorker's
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt developed engine trouble, but it is
believed he stayed at the controls to avoid plunging into the town
centre.
The plane is said to have crashed in
quicksand and its main structure was never recovered, but the small
relic being offered for sale on November 14-15 (a valve rocker arm)
was found by Harold Forster at the time and has remained in his
family since.
Auctioneer Chris Large said: "It is a
piece of metal less than six inches long. Having researched the
numbers stamped on it, we know it came from a Pratt & Whitney
R-2800 double wasp engine. I think it might sell for around £100
but its significance is far greater than its monetary value."
Contact: 01270 623878.
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