Today I received a new and interesting little book on Seafires – I won’t name it. 🙁
Again it promulgates the specification of the ‘de-navalisation’ of the Seafire Mk XV’s supplied to the Union of Burma Air Force. It states yet again, as in several recent books from highly respected ‘Spitfire’ authors, that the folding wings were exchanged for those of the Spitfire Mk XVIII.
Just where this comes from, God alone knows, but it might have its origins in the supply of three Mk XVIIIs from ACSEA to Burma post WWII for training.
The amount of engineering required to carry out such a conversion would be astronomic and totally uneconomic. The unique to Mk XVIII solid spar booms on the wing would be over wide to engage the Seafire Mk XV firewall spar, let alone accommodate the wing bolt diameter difference. The radiator installation would need to have considerable surgery. Wing fillets would all need replacing etc etc.
As this is the third book published in two years with said specification perhaps it is time to blow the whistle in the hope that it will percolate out.
Mark
By: Mark12 - 8th May 2004 at 20:27
Spitfire Mk.XII with cameras?
Dan,
I have never come across a reference to a Mk XII modified for cameras but I will certainly keep an eye open.
I only have a limited section of the 41 Sqd. ORB but surely this, if fact, should figure in there somewhere.
Unlike the Seafire XV’s and XVII’s, short Griffon and upright firewall, the Spitfire XII carried oil behind the cockpit. I do not know how that might conflict with a camera installation.
Mark
By: Dan Johnson - 8th May 2004 at 19:50
Tis the joy of trying to get it right. I’d wondered about that as well but the photo sure answers the quesiton.
How bout another mystery? Back when I first was digging in to Spit XII stuff in the mid 80s, I corresponded with Douglas Hone who was B Flight commander in 41 Squadron when they transitioned to the XII.
One of the comments he made was that one or two machines were modified for oblique photography when they were flying out of Hawkinge, when they took over for 91 while 91 transitioned to the XII. He said he flew a number of flights where he took photos.
I could never find any proof on that one elsewhere however..
When I got the Osprey book on 91 squadron recently, it mentions that 91 modifed a couple of their Spit Vs for oblique photography.
Dougie Hone’s aircraft was EN234 EB-Q for Queenie. The fact that 91 had locally modifed Spit Vs does seem to lend credence to his story which might mean that EN234 and possibly one other Spit XII were locally modified ‘FRXII”.
Considering the job they were doing on the “Jim Crow” sorties and the capability of the XII down low, it does make some sense. How’d you like to dig up a photo of that kite? 🙂
EN234 incidently was the Spit that Tony Lovell died in low flying in August of 1945.
Dan
By: JDK - 8th May 2004 at 15:05
Thanks for that.
The old story, repreat it enough, and the next author takes it as fact. C’mon, name the book.
Praise or blame, it’s all part of the game. If they’re wrong, we know what to avoid!
Cheers
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May 8, 2004 at 2:06 pm