Spitfire Undercarriage Query

That’s interesting about the shim: a quick/cheap way to solve the matter. However, I think the matter of the trailing/leading link is more complex than just one mark vs another. There was a thread on Britmodeller.com (sorry, but I didn’t keep it) dealing with precisely this. From memory (please don’t rely upon this!) the changeover occured partway through the Mk.VIII production line, so presumably partway through the Mk.IX too. The thread did quote different part numbers for the different oleos.

PS it may have been a thread here rather than Britmodeller: look perhaps for references to Aussie Mk.VIIIs?

The mk I-V legs had an internal spline to keep the wheels in line, the mk VII’s had a trailing link the mk IX’s had a leading link, the undercarriage doors were different in each case; the mk I pintle is 1/8″ thinner on the bearing journals, and the rake on the mk IX’s was accomplished by an angled shim between the pintle and the spar.

Tony and Graham,

Many thanks for your replies, so much appreciated. And now with the book, should be able to proceed. Today, have been asked to produce the main leg rake forward from the vertical and the splay outwards from the forward view so that the MK.II sits on the ground correctly. What fun?! Beats working for Tesco.

Best wishes,

Martin

Possibly MK4?

http://s536.photobucket.com/user/taylortony/media/Spitfire%20MKx1x/Airscale%20cockpit/33750%20SHT%20443%20444%20G%20GA%20Chassis%20Fairing_zps5oazx4gw.jpg.html

http://s536.photobucket.com/user/taylortony/media/Spitfire%20MKx1x/Airscale%20cockpit/33750%20SHT%206%20H%20Landing%20Gear_BD1A_zpsdpslgrs0.jpg.html

http://s536.photobucket.com/user/taylortony/media/Spitfire%20MKx1x/Airscale%20cockpit/33750%20SHT%206%20H%20Landing%20Gear_BD1A_zpsdpslgrs0.jpg.html

http://s536.photobucket.com/user/taylortony/media/Spitfire%20MKx1x/Airscale%20cockpit/33750%20SHT%2010%20H%20Geometry%20Chassis_zps5xk2pita.jpg.html

http://s536.photobucket.com/user/taylortony/media/Spitfire%20MKx1x/Airscale%20cockpit/33750%20SHT%2010%20H%20Geometry%20Chassis_zps5xk2pita.jpg.html

Earlier??

http://s536.photobucket.com/user/taylortony/media/Spitfire%20MKx1x/Airscale%20cockpit/30050%20SHT%2086%20H%20GA%20Chassis_zps2ogmazt9.jpg.html

Graham,

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated and very informative. Basically the project is to build from scratch a Mk.II replica and we were wondering if we could use a later leg (as have built 4 Mk.9s before) in the new model. I understand now about the change in design, all so interesting. I may be a convert!

As to the book, have ordered a pdf of it and its downloading as we speak. Look forward to have a little read.

Thanks again,

Martin

The number of spokes in the hub did differ as the line developed, but I don’t know just what the specific difference is that you are looking for. The size of the hub did differ with the size of the tyre, but I don’t think that matters here. The leg is different at the top, and the mounting angle is different because from the Mk.III and the universal wing on the Mk.Vc, the axle position was moved forward two inches. With a different extended angle, but retracting into the same hole, there needed to be a different skew angle on the pintle at the top of the leg. Further, anti-torque lnks were added partway through Mk.VIII production, so I feel this should be true of the Mk.IX too.

The best single source for Spitfire details throught the development history is the book Spitfire the History. However the finest detail drawings for the Mk.IX are found in Monforton’s book (I forget the title for a moment, sorry – I just refer to it as Monforton and Spitfire enthusiasts know exactly what I’m talking about.) If you really want to know that the leg and wheel hub were like, look there.