Bulldog in Reach For the Sky

One question for you – many sources say the RFTS Spits were all
XVIe versions (“e” for clipped wing) but in the film and all stills I’ve
seen they all have the classic curved wing. Sorry I’m not that
knowledgable on the Spitfire but did the “e” have clipped and
elliptical wings?

I thought the “A” “B” “C” and “e” designations were to do with the configuration of the guns fitted or that could be fitted ?

One question for you – many sources say the RFTS Spits were all
XVIe versions (“e” for clipped wing) but in the film and all stills I’ve
seen they all have the classic curved wing. Sorry I’m not that
knowledgeable on the Spitfire but did the “e” have clipped and
elliptical wings?

The “e” wing can be fitted with or without tips. The tips detach and are replaced with a small cap fairing with a dedicated nav light.

Mark

How do you know it is TE288?
Mark

Mark 12,

Many articles, books and the museum itself including many locals,
is there reason to question this, you’ve got me thinking?:confused:

Well with no less than three full size fibreglass replica Spitfires on display in New Zealand, all painted with the serial TE288, but with the real TE288 at Wigram devoid of a military serial on the fuselage…a future generation etc.

Mark

How do you know it is TE288?
Mark

Mark 12,

Many articles, books and the museum itself including many locals,
is there reason to question this, you’ve got me thinking?:confused:

One question for you – many sources say the RFTS Spits were all
XVIe versions (“e” for clipped wing) but in the film and all stills I’ve
seen they all have the classic curved wing. Sorry I’m not that
knowledgable on the Spitfire but did the “e” have clipped and
elliptical wings?

It wasn’t restored until after the film, in 1958-61; Second ‘first flight’ was in June 61

That’s taught me not to make assumptions! Thanks, Dave.

Maybe I should watch the film again – the last time must have been about 30 years ago.

Just an idle musing on a Bulldog theme but does anyone know the identity of the penultimate Bulldog survivor and where, when and in what circumstances it met its end?

Apart from the Finnish examples there was a two seater K3932 around as late as 1953 when it was scrapped. Another late British survivor was K3183 used as an engine testbed by Napiers and then Alvis to test the Leonides. (C.H. Barnes)

John

G-ABBB was indeed the Bulldog used in the film. Reach for the Sky was released in 1956 and G-ABBB was still flying at that point – it crashed in 1964. Its restoration was completed in 1999, since when it’s been on display at Hendon.

It wasn’t restored until after the film, in 1958-61; Second ‘first flight’ was in June 61

Hurricanes. One flying, two static and one studio mock-up.

Mark

Whats the number on the Tutor – 2511?, I still cannot find it in the film though.

R2511 in the photo.

Mark

Hurricanes – one flier (I think LF363, but possibly wrong), one static (RAF Musuem?) and one mock-up.

We have Spit TE288 here in Christchurch NZ, restored and on display
at the RNZAF Museum.

How do you know it is TE288? 😉

Mark

Thanks all who replied – like they say a picture paints a 1000 words
and those pics were exactly that. The mock-up Bulldog has the all-black
prop and spinner and the real one doesn’t. Theres other obvious
differences but thats the one you can tell watching the film.

Since there were no actual flying Bulldogs in the film, it looks like
they did the whole Bader crash sequence with models and
studio mock-ups. I must say, the model flying shots are still very
convincing even today – which is partly what prompted this thread to
start with.

Whats the number on the Tutor – 2511?, I still cannot find it in the film though.

As for the Spitfires I have 10, 4 flying, 6 static from the Flypast article
of 1986, sure would like to know the ID of the third Hurri. though – seems
likely to be LF378 in many searches I’ve done.

We have Spit TE288 here in Christchurch NZ, restored and on display
at the RNZAF Museum.

Just an idle musing on a Bulldog theme but does anyone know the identity of the penultimate Bulldog survivor and where, when and in what circumstances it met its end?

G-ABBB was indeed the Bulldog used in the film. Reach for the Sky was released in 1956 and G-ABBB was still flying at that point – it crashed in 1964. Its restoration was completed in 1999, since when it’s been on display at Hendon.

So the wing tips are a Pup!

John

I mistook the serial as that of the Shuttleworth Pup when I should have said Brisfit. Doh 😮

The ‘mystery’ wingtips and tail are off the Bristol Fighter, I’ve just realised.

Thanks, Mark, makes sense.

Pretty good mock up, (K2494, of course) but obvious in your new photo. The wooden internal combustion engine never really caught on, just caught fire. 😀 Wonder what happened to it?

JDK,

The Bulldog crash in the film is quite well done. I wouldn’t be surprised if they destroyed the mock-up in the crash. Perhaps attached to thin or hidden cables towed by a truck off camera.

Mark

Wing tips Pup. Lost me.

So the wing tips are a Pup!

John

Pretty good mock up, (K2494, of course) but obvious in your new photo. The wooden internal combustion engine never really caught on, just caught fire. 😀 Wonder what happened to it?

Bulldog real and mock-up. You chose.

The Avro 504.

Mark