Royal Navy kite winch circa ww2

[Jack Jäger]

Hi folks I am currently building a ww2 RN armed trawler, these small ships sometimes flew from their fore mast an admiralty kite / balloon as a fighter deterrent. What I would like to know is does anyone have a photograph or description of the winch? The only photograph I have come up with shows one only in silhouette and is pretty blurred.

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I have attempted to build one with reference to a ww1 mobile balloon unit that showed a hand cranked winch on the back of a flatbed truck. It looked like a couple of flanged vertical 'H' girders with a rope reel mounted between and the lot welded to a sheet of steel about 4x5 feet. Here are some pics. but it would be nice if someone could come up with something better. Thank you in anticipation. JJ..







Don't think the boatswain is too impressed.

 

[Jimsky]

Don't think the boatswain is too impressed.

I don't think it all matters with the boatswain's impression as long as the captain likes! Very good job on those details, Jack!

 

[Peter Voogt]

Are you aware of this article:
Balloon Winch
I took the winch out of the museum picture, flipped it and placed it resized in your picture, next to the silhouette of the winch:

This is the rough outcut:


Regards, Peter

 

[Jack Jäger]

Are you aware of this article:
Balloon Winch
I took the winch out of the museum picture, flipped it and placed it resized in your picture, next to the silhouette of the winch:
View attachment 445302
This is the rough outcut:
View attachment 445305

Regards, Peter

Job Peter I will go for it thanks jj..

 

[Short John Bronze]

From the Admiralty "Manual of Seamanship" 1951

 

[Jack Jäger]

From the Admiralty "Manual of Seamanship" 1951
View attachment 445315

thanks SJB I have a 1920's Manual of seamanship I will check it out as well. Cheers JJ..

 

[Jack Jäger]

Job Peter I will go for it thanks jj.

Matter of interest Peter if you look at the pic of T242 in front of the winch is a large grinding wheel any idea? Surly no for putting an edge on the cutlasses?

 

[Peter Voogt]

Matter of interest Peter if you look at the pic of T242 in front of the winch is a large grinding wheel any idea? Surly no for putting an edge on the cutlasses?

With a bit sharpening in PS, it looks indeed a wheel in a 3/4 round box, perhaps also with a handle and a 'double-spread-leg':

 

[Parnall]

I don't think it all matters with the boatswain's impression as long as the captain likes! Very good job on those details, Jack!