Ab910

From a nice page on modelling AB502:

“Gleed took an immediate liking to the tropical Spitfire Vb as modified at the depot in Aboukir, Egypt, where the technicians had come up with a much more compact, aerodynamic air filter than the Vokes filter, which took off a good 25-30 mph in top speed from the fighter. The neat Aboukir filter only shaved off about 5 mph.”

Check out the whole thing here:
http://www.making-history.ca/Features/Submitted/British/Tom_Cleaver/I_R_Gleed/I_R_Gleed.htm

Slightly better quality picture!

Eddie – you’re thinking of the Aboukir filter.

It’s not a great quality pic attached, but it does show the Aboukir filter beneath the nose.

I think that the Americans had some Spit IXs in British desert colours – I’m sure I’ve seen some original colour photos of them.

Hmmm, that might work. But were they later Marks used in Italy or Malta with different colours, or were they in the same colour scheme? It’s the particular colours used in this scheme that make it so attractive. Were the Malta Spits or the later Italian campaign Spits in the same colours?

I could be wrong on this (I’m sure Mark12 can give a better answer than me!) but I think some later Spits had a far less obtrusive filter fitted – it looked more like a small extension to the carb air intake than the big filter as per Volkes.

But, as you say, you could do AB910, and be sure you’ve got the details right, as there are plenty of pics!

THANKS FOR THE PICS!!

I have to say, when I heard about the repaint, I was not too excited. I pictured something like the US desert colours, which, well, I have to say I don’t like that much. Of course, they picked them for camouflage, not to look good! But it looks harsh.

But the RAF desert scheme on the Spitfire looks fantastic. The colours are so warm looking. Beautiful. And the blue on the underside is so much deeper than that used in Europe. I might just have to build a model of one. Except that to be accurate of course I’d have to include that huge filter that’s just damn ugly. Oh well, I could just model AB910. If the RAF can do it, why can’t I!!

Anyone got some of her in the air?

Charles

I have just the one shot of AB910, sitting at Biggin Hill before her display.

Sorry its not that bright.

For some photos of the repaint of AB910 check out the Vintage Fabrics website

Vintage Fabrics – AB910 fabric and repaint

Glenn

Seafuryfan,

There have been shorter ones!! I’ll dig one out.

Mark

Awesome Mk XII, I remember this as being one of the shortest ever paint schemes, on a par with ‘President Roosevelt’ and the LA-9.

TE184 – Duxford – 14 May 1999

Can you imagine the painters remarks during the war when they read the instructions for painting the sqn codes…..

“….No I’m not joking. It says ‘ere at para 4, and I quote, ‘After application of the squadron codes, each is to be outlined with a Border White, measuring 1/8 inch’. Aidth of an inch? I’ll b***y give ’em aidth of an inch, the b*****s….and why ‘asn’t this one got a b***y Vokes Filter on it?”

Tongue in cheek and with respect to all painters and finishers 🙂

TE184 – Duxford – 14 May 1999.

I can’t seem to delete this – Scroll down two.

Duh, Daz, of course!! 😉

(Had a very blonde day – must have been the sun yesterday – well, that’s my excuse! :D)

John Dibbs got a MkXVI painted in desert markings a few years back.

Not sure of the Number.

Mk V or another spit expert will probably know more

It was only water wash for one of his calenders

Just in case some of you might not have noticed, but the Real Aeroplane Co’s black Hurricane is also painted as Ian Gleed’s personal mount, complete with “Figaro” nose-art.

Must say, I’m quite surprised nobody’s painted an airworthy Spit in desert markings before!!!

Nice one Mark 12. The last one is my favourite shot. Gorgeous paint job as always (Clive went a bit mad with the W/T’s though:D !)

Cheers

…..and

…….well in that case a couple more then.

Mark

Nice pics!