Denham Lathe what model is it

Hi all you machinery lovers: I have a Denhams lathe that I acquired a few years ago it is not in A1 condition and I am in two minds weather to refurbish it or scrap it. I does work and I have machined a few pieces on it. It runs on a 15 amp 240 volt supply. It has a gap bed 12" swing and relatively short bed for its size. It also has a wide range of selectable screw cutting ratios.

It was originally supplied to the Air Ministry, I have tried to research its history but cannot even find out what model it is. The only firm information I have is on the name plate. Contract Number 618869/370X11B. Supplied 1938. Serial number (Denhams) 4627. Air ministry Supply Number 592.

The best guess so far is that it was supplied to the Airforce Engineers to support the deployment of Spitfires, The first was 19 Squadron in March 1938 at Duxford. I would appreciate any information or ideas on where I could find out more.

Dats a chunky one

**LINK**

edit: Ministry stuff could sometimes be a mainstream unit, but with adaptations specified by the buyer

I have a big pultra but the main casting is missing the rear slot for the thread chaser (very annoying! why would they bother??)

but it was only purchased for turning missile bits in the 1960s

Edited By Ady1 on 02/12/2018 16:33:38

I doubt it was specifically to do with Spitfires. In 1937 the UK Defence Budget was about 2.7% of GDP despite serious concern about the high risk of war with Germany, Italy and Japan, but also with Soviet Russia due their aggression in Finland. Defence had been underfunded since the end of the Great War and Britain's armed forces weren't ready for a major conflict.

In 1938 the government pressed the panic button and tripled the Defence Budget to 9% of GDP. It might be possible to link the contract number with the Staff Requirement by researching the National Archives. But I think that might be misleading. By 1940 we were at war and the lathe could have been sent almost anywhere it was needed.

The 1938 expansion went far beyond any single aircraft. The lathe might have been bought to service Spitfires, but more likely it met other needs. This included ground engineering at multiple new airfields as well as direct support of aircraft, and not just the planes going into service in 1938, but planes planned to be in service by 1945.

As we know, Adolf went a step too far in 1939. During the phony war defence spending rose to 40% of GDP, but it was too late to deal with the already well-prepared Germans. It wasn't until mid-1943 that the British developed sufficient force to really hurt Germany. Of defence procurement Churchill said: 'In year 1, nothing. In year 2 a trickle. In year 3 a flood.'

If only we had some political way of defusing the tensions that cause European Wars...

Dave

Hello to andrew astin and other.

I cannot speak english well. Yesterday l buy this lathe machine.

Its very impaired and its charts are removed.

Can I request you to help me?

Can you send me image or other information that help me?

Thanks

<EDIT email and phone removed, please respond in  thread>

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 14/12/2020 12:03:41