Thanks chaps. Good to know that I am not alone in unearthing these obscure threads. It's a bit of industrial archaeology in a way and is useful when restoring things to understand a little of the likely thinking of the day. I have come across the Douglas specials myself but such things always make me wonder, was this a ploy to keep a hold on the spares supply market or was the designer being careful to ensure that the chosen thread met exacting engineering criteria? I suspect that it's best not too think too deeply and just get on with recording such original features, reproducing them when the pain is not too great, and modifying things if that is the most appropriate course of action. For this job things will remain as designed.