MK.VC Oxygen Bottle No. 149865/39

Oxygen Bottle of standard design, manufactured to specifications decreed by the UK Air Ministry for installation in British military aircraft during the Second World War. Stores Reference No. 6D/643. 6D=Aircraft Gaseous Apparatus and Equipment. The oxygen bottle retains its original orange colour scheme although there are numerous chips in the paintwork particularly on the base of the cylinder. The neck of the bottle is stamped ‘MK VC No 149865/39 N.C.M P.E.C.O RESTED 7.7.41 A.M STORES REF No 6D/483 P O 15 M50 4 M53 2’

The Bottle is of a standard type fitted to a wide range of British designed or equipped aircraft used during the Second World War, and provides an oxygen supply for crew members while the aircraft is operating at high altitude. Typical installations include that for the Bristol Beaufighter which has two cylinders located in the rear fuselage on the starboard side, and the Avro Lancaster which has a group of fifteen bottles located in a timber crate below the rest bed aft of the front spar on the port side.