I have been asked to build a model of a Spitfire MkIII for someone. Basically just asking for some advice if anyone can help. So I will be building N3297. The info I have gathered so far. The MkIII had a longer nose to accommodate the Merlin XX ( would this be the same length as a MkIX? ) A 3 blade prop with 3 stack exhausts. Tail wheel retractable as per MKVIII. Wings were clipped then went back to normal length. N3297 seems to lack guns so im not 100% which wing it had ( 8 gun Mk 1 / modded VB wing??? ) The underwing rad was changed quite radicaly, been much deeper in size. If anyone could add any info that would be great.
By: Yorkie - 14th March 2017 at 20:45
Cheers Graham.
By: Graham Boak - 14th March 2017 at 19:15
4 inches. That’s caused by the second gear at the rear of the engine. It is also the measured difference between a Hurricane Mk.I and Mk.II.
By: Yorkie - 14th March 2017 at 18:33
Is it possible to clarify how long the nose was extended to accommodate the merlin XX ?
By: Seafire - 12th March 2017 at 13:03
Ah yes, the photos remind me: angled “firewall” on the upper half, and the anti-spin-chute guard on the fin. The first two show rollout configuration, the third is later- note also that the later one has a wire aerial, whereas the earlier does not.
By the way, there’s a long thread on Britmodeller (I think!) and at least one old thread here about the Mk.III
bob
By: oldgit158 - 12th March 2017 at 10:39
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These photos of N3297 I downloaded a long while back, they are credited to Mr Peter Arnold, hope they are of some assistance
By: Graham Boak - 12th March 2017 at 10:06
Thanks Bob, I think you are right about the undercarriage. It would seem unnecessarily difficult to change the rake angle on a production wing: although given what they did to the tip and the radiator maybe they had the time anyway! The attempt to split off the boundary layer may well be one reason behind the considerably increased depth of this radiator.
I must look again at the initial windscreen. The drawing in STH does seem to show internal armour with the original curved interface with the fuselage, but the photographs are too poorly reproduced to tell.
By: Seafire - 12th March 2017 at 08:44
Graham, I think only the second prototype had the new rake angle.
When first flown it had a unique windscreen, which was later changed for what became standard (the internal-glass type); standard DH prop at first, later the Rotol with longer spinner and “steak knife” blades. Regular 8-gun wing (no guns fitted), clipped as Graham described. “Daisy cutter” wheel doors on the main gear. The radiator changed, at least in detail, over time, but I don’t have very good specifics on that- best to look at pictures and do the best you can! Note that it had an attempt at splitting the boundary-layer air. (Also look at the Speed Spitfire, because some of its technology was handed down.) Also, the oil cooler is the type usually associated with the Mk.V (circular intake vs. semi-circular).
That’s a start…
bob
By: Graham Boak - 11th March 2017 at 11:09
I’m modelling one too. The nose was not as long as a Mk.IV, but 4in longer than the Mk.I. This is the same additional length as the Hurricane (and Defiant) Mk.II over Mk.I, because that’s the increased length of the engine with the two stage gearbox The initial wing was clipped to the outboard aileron hinge, which loses more than the standard clip. The undercarriage was modified as in the Mk.Vc wing, the axle being moved forward 2in. Similarly the canopy had the internal armoured screen like the Mk.Vc.
For the best information, including views of the deepened radiator, look in Spitfire The History pages 127 to 132.
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March 11, 2017 at 10:08 am