Original British WWII RAF Harvard I & I Trainer and Spitfire Aircraft Control Stick Yoke with Reproduced Housing & Wiring on Functional Display Board with Small Model
In stock
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Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a tremendously interesting British WWII RAF aircraft spade control grip, clearly stamped AH2242 and now configured with a hand-operated brake lever in the configuration of British fighters such as the Supermarine Spitfire. The original aircraft component has been incorporated into a professionally constructed reproduction control housing with functional gearing and wiring, creating an impressive working display.
The control stick is stamped with part number AH2242, and the red dial around the fire button has two positions for SAFE and FIRE.
AH2242 is traditionally the part number used on control yokes for the Harvard I & II Trainer aircraft. But those aircraft specifically utilized a toe break, meaning they were never set up to use hand brake levers. This example is fitted with a correct Spitfire style handbrake lever. We have seen a great deal of depot-alterations done to similar British aircraft yokes, for fitting to newer aircraft, and we believe that is what this example is, a yoke manufactured for a Harvard trainer and refitted during the period for use on the Supermarine Spitfire. It was then later mounted onto a reproduction housing for this display.
The entire piece has been mounted onto a display board, with a small Matchbox model of a Spitfire Mk. II also included for display purposes. The reproduced housing was professionally built and matches the look of the original housing very well! This truly was a labor of love.
The small model is marked for Matchbox and dated 1973. It is not attached to the base and is meant to sit there for display and context.
The complete presentation measures approximately 27 x 6½ x 5”.
The Supermarine Spitfire remains one of the defining Allied fighter aircraft of WWII. Designed under the direction of R. J. Mitchell at Supermarine, the aircraft first flew before the war and remained in continuous British production throughout the conflict. Its distinctive elliptical wing, compact cockpit, and responsive flight controls became inseparable from its reputation as a high-performance fighter.
One recognizable element of the Spitfire cockpit was its circular spade-type control grip. The firing control was positioned within the grip, while the pneumatic wheel brakes were operated by a lever behind it in conjunction with rudder movement for differential braking. The configuration of the present display successfully reproduces these particularly recognizable features even though the AH2242 grip itself is identified with the Harvard I and II rather than a dedicated Spitfire part number.
As a display, this piece has considerable appeal because it combines a genuine WWII RAF aircraft control grip with a carefully constructed and functional representation of a British fighter control mechanism. The AH2242 marking, operational SAFE/FIRE control, hand brake lever, movable grip, visible gearing and chain, professionally made housing, and separate 1973 Matchbox Spitfire model create a highly engaging presentation while still allowing the original and reproduced elements to be clearly distinguished.
For a collection focused on RAF aviation, WWII cockpit equipment, the Supermarine Spitfire, or restored aviation artifacts, this is a fascinating one-of-a-kind assembly. Its strongest historical feature is the original AH2242 wartime control grip, while the reproduction mechanism gives the viewer context to its original configuration, and the feeling of how difficult it was to control a fighter aircraft in the Second World War!
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