British Canberra Jet Engine Coffman Starter Cartridge Presented to RODDERS of RN-RAF 360 Squadron – Jun 84 to Sept 87

Here on offer is an inert British jet engine Coffman starter cartridge that was presented to “RODDERS”, who served with the RN-RAF 360 Squadron at RAF Wyton, between June 1984 and September 1987.

This now INERT brass cartridge still retains the protective cap, that is stamped with the words:

REMOVE CAP BEFORE LOADING

The cap has such a tight fit, I can’t remove it and don’t want to damage it trying!

The main body now has a wonderful dark patina to the brass finish. However, a rectangular section has been polished bright and faintly engraved with a presentation plaque, with the 360 Squadron crest/badge, being an erect trident, with a Druce moth, wings displayed.

There are also the words:

RODDERS
360 SQN
RN RAF
Jun 84 – Sep 87

Clearly this was presented to “RODDERS”, who served with the RN-RAF 360 Squadron at RAF Wyton, between June 1984 and September 1987.

360 Squadron was a joint Royal Air Force and Royal Navy electronic countermeasures squadron moved to RAF Wyton, in Cambridgeshire, on September 1, 1975 and remained stationed there for nearly two decades until the unit was disbanded on October 31, 1994.

During the 1984–1987 window, they primarily operated specifically modified English Electric Canberra T.17 and T.17A electronic warfare aircraft.

The RAF English Electric Canberra T.17 used triple-breech Coffman cartridge starters (cordite-charged explosive starter cartridges), featuring 3 cartridges per engine (1 active and 2 spares housed in a multi-breech system).

Key details of the system:

Mechanism: A large blank cordite cartridge (similar to a massive shotgun shell) ignited to release expanding high-pressure gases, which spun up a small starter turbine inside the Rolls-Royce Avon engine.

Triple-Breech Setup: Unlike earlier Canberra marks (like the B.2 or T.4) which had only a single-breech starter per engine and required manual reloading after a failed start, the T.17 was fitted with a 3-cartridge (triple-breech) arrangement per engine, providing two immediate reloads/spares in the breech.

The base of this cartridge shows the stamped British ordinance marks, along with a “crows foot” MOD mark:

CART ELEC ENG START RLB 84/20

145 GD 84

This implies it was made by Royal Laboratory Birtley or Royal Ordnance Factory Birtley (RLB), in 1984.

The cartridge case is in excellent condition, no dents, just a small split to the edge of the cap, where it has been tightly fitted.

It measures 7.25” (18.5cm) high by 3.25” (8.3cm) diameter at the base.

It weighs 605g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 52555