MK.VC Oxygen Bottle No. 211119/42

Accession Number REL34241
Collection type Technology
Object type Technology
Maker Unknown
Place made United Kingdom
Date made c. 1942
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

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/483MN. 6D=Aircraft Gaseous Apparatus and Equipment. The oxygen bottle retains its original orange colour scheme although there are numerous chips in the paintwork with extensive flaking on the base of the bottle. The neck of the bottle is stamped ‘MK.VC 6D/483MN 6/43 A.M 211119/42 12H63 M48 4 M50 4 M53 2 6T0013’

History / Summary

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.

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