Spitfire Pitch Adjuster Recovered Spitfire No X4261

Description

Spitfire Pitch Adjuster Recovered Spitfire No X4261

Pitch Adjuster taken from recovered Spitfire Propeller , from No X4261, as can see from photo below.

Also comes with bearing and Counterweight.

Flight Lieutenant Frederick William Rushmer (1910-1940) was born in Sisland, Norfolk, he served with 603 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force from 1934 and in 1939 was called to full-time service and appointed leader of Red Section. On 30 July 1940 Rushmer shared in destroying a He111 south-east of Montrose and his aircraft was hit by return fire.

On 29 August he made a forced landing at Bossingham in Spitfire P9459 after combat over Deal, he was slightly wounded.

Rushmer failed to return from combat with Do17s and Me109s over Biggin Hill on 5 September 1940. His Spitfire X4261 could have been that which crashed at Buckman Green Farm, Smarden. The pilot from this aircraft was buried as ‘unknown’ in All Saints’ churchyard, Staplehurst on 11th September.

Rushmer was reported ‘missing’ and his name is on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 4. However, Malcolm Pettit attended a memorial service at All Saint’s church in the 1990s. He attempted to resolve this and Rushmer’s headstone was changed from an unknown airman to Flight Lieutenant Frederick Rushmer which was carved into the portland stone and organised by Ted Sturgeston. The remains of the propeller were purchased by Malcolm Pettit from the London Air Museum when it closed.

Spitfire Pitch Adjuster Recovered Spitfire No X4261