Differences Spitfire instrument panels

I just read this line:

Clocks where fitted in early aircraft, but because of large lost of aircraft by 1942/43 aircrew where given wris****ches

Sounds realistic.
Regards,
Herbert

Ha, what´s wrong with that word? It should be wristw@tches.

Mark: it is possible that the clock originally might have been a pilot issue item and responsibility. Perhaps on the basis that they were a very ‘attractive’ item.

Might be, since the german pilots had an order to remove the cockpit clock after a forced landing.
Maybe the “attraction” is the reason, why so many cockpit clocks appear in eBay. 😀
Herbert

Still it seems, that both versions were cut, since the adaptor plate would to be seen on these two drawings I´ve got.
Maybe there were also early and late Mk I and II panels.
Like some Mk I also had the ampmeter under the voltmeter and other items different than my plans are showing.
So even after my research work it´s not easy to make rules for “the” layout.
Post Mk II is easier, ´cause I have a collection of pictures showing Mk V and IX panels and my “rules” are easier to verify.

But as I mentioned, most of the changes on the panels came step by step.
Like the field generator switch and landing lights switch hole: During the production of Mk V it was deleted. So you´ll find Mk V panels with and without the cutouts.

Only few items changed together with the Mk version:
Mk II needed the coffmann starter handle. The engines of Mk V needed the booster coil switch, the double stage supercharger engines of the Mk IX introduced the supercharger panel.

Interesting exeption is the panel of the MK IX pilot notes. I figured out, that it would be a modified (early?) Mk V panel.
There´s still the landing lights switch hole and a gunsight switch.
Probably an early prototype.
Regards,
Herbert

682al

Good stuff – thanks!

Here is a shot of the Spitfire MkII Pilot’s Notes showing the larger time clock.

Mark

The Mk. II/IIA clock was sometimes fitted to panels already cut out for the larger diameter Mk. III clock.

Tha answer was the Adapter Plate, Air Ministry Stores Reference 6A/1060.

Regards!

Puukka,

I am pretty sure that in the majority of Spitfire ‘Pilot’s Notes’ APs, they airbrush the clock out. I do not know the reason why this should be but it is possible that the clock originally might have been a pilot issue item and responsibility. Perhaps on the basis that they were a very ‘attractive’ item.

I seem to remember that clocks/stopwatches in military aircraft of the 1950’s would click into a sprung receiver on the panel.

Mark

Hello Mark

Well, interesting information.
At least the basic of my drawings is a Mk II drawing with the small clock. See also this Mk I to II plan.
Regards,
Herbert

Puukka,

It had always been my understanding that the earlier Spitfires, Mks I & II, had the larger diameter time clock.

Any comments?

Splendid work here. Top marks.

Mark

Here´s the later:

Mk V panel variations

Well, there was a request for Mk V panel layouts.
I would say, there were basically these two.
The earlier ones with landing lights switch hole, field generator switch and fuel pressure gauge and the later with these items deleted/replaced.

Just for information – I created plans of the typical layout regarding MkI, Mk II, early Mk V, late Mk V, early Mk IX, and late Mk IX. That could be helpful, if someone wants to cut one of those and might be confused about the varities and postwar modifications. Here´s as example the Mk I.
Regards,
Herbert