Just a clarification on the fireproof bulkhead that goes between the fuel tanks and the cockpit.(Frames 7 &8)
Were they always there?When did it change?I am recieving conflicting news that the early MkI,s didn,t have them and didn,t come in till the MkV,s but the drawing exists for it on the MkI,s,(30027-122 G).:confused:
By: bazv - 31st August 2008 at 21:03
As you say…would not last long in a fire !!
But perhaps one of its main purposes was to help ‘seal’ the cockpit area,any air leaks into the cockpit would ‘torch’ any burning fuel into the pilot.The Hurri was not well sealed and many Hurri pilots were badly burned,opening/jettisoning the canopy would of course aggravate the problem.
cheers baz
By: chumpy - 31st August 2008 at 14:49
It would appear that early Mk1s did not have the fire bulkhead, the attached shows the rear face of the tank visible below the compass.
As this ‘fire-wall’ is only a bit of 22 swg ali, I wonder as to it’s actual effectivness? Certainly would not of contained a fire for very long, maybe would have given a few precious seconds to get the hell out.
Or perhaps to put the pilots mind at rest a bit, rather than having to gaze at the tank!
Chumpy.
By: Arabella-Cox - 31st August 2008 at 14:34
Have certainly recovered the remains of them from early (pre Mk V) Spitfires.
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August 31, 2008 at 1:35 pm