Hi
After many years original Merlin 70 engine was only recently reunited with the actual Mk XI Spitfire for the first time since leaving number 16 squadron after only doing 25 missions with the engine.
The Spit flew for the first time this year on Friday 26 November 2010 and handled perfectly with no problems. In a couple of weeks it is due to be flown to somewhere in Doncaster for the repaint back to PR blue but without the invasion stripes.
Apart from a few minor but necessary modern requirements, the aircraft is 100per cent original.
Despite the cold weather, the day was well attended. Photos were taken mostly during the quiet periods and after some people had left.
My thanks to Peter Teichman and all the crew for opening up Hangar 11 and for the informal atmosphere. Certainly worth the wait.
A few pictures:
Cheers
Martin
Engine which is beyond use, recovered from a Mk IX Spitfire.
A Mk IX wing panel. It will be some time before the IX is flying again.
Whilst I was in the toilet, I head the familiar sound of a Bristol Centaurus engine. Naturally when I came out I looked first at the runway, then the taxii way but then discovered that the Sea Fury was going nowhere. Just a ground engine test on the other side of the airfield.
By: The"Eh"Team - 16th December 2010 at 23:20
Hello Steve….I have replied to your p.m and hope this might clear up any misunderstanding between us. Thank-you anyway for your help and information already supplied….Johnb.
By: hampden98 - 16th December 2010 at 16:58
Ah, thanks. I was wondering if it contained some inert gas to stop corrosion. But now I know 🙂
By: Mark V - 15th December 2010 at 19:51
Do you have any information on the bubble the engine is in?
What’s it for, what’s it do and how do they keep it inflated as it looks to be just sitting on the floor?
These items are designed for protecting historic cars and engines. The bubble is inflated by a small fan and electric motor attached to one end. This is permenantly on and the air flow pressurizes the bubble a little to keep it ‘inflated’ and ensures that there is always air moving across the preserved object – this is basically how it works. The air is just the room air, not conditioned in any way.
By: hampden98 - 15th December 2010 at 19:35
Do you have any information on the bubble the engine is in?
What’s it for, what’s it do and how do they keep it inflated as it looks to be just sitting on the floor?
By: Mark V - 12th December 2010 at 10:50
There is a complete book on this Spitfire – ‘Spitfire in Blue’ by Hugh Smallwood. It goes in to a lot of detail about its history and restoration.
It was certainly not the aircrat you saw being worked on a Bentwaters. In terms of terminology – when we use the word ‘constructed’ in warbird terms it means the original construction, ie: in this case by Supermarine (with Heston as sub-contractor) at Aldermaston in 1944. Subsequent err ‘re-construction’ is termed restoration! 🙂
By: Mark V - 3rd December 2010 at 17:34
Was this machine constructed on site or elsewhere
Not quite sure what you mean by ‘constructed on site’ and no it does not have anything to do with Bentwaters – this Spitfire was originally assembled at Aldermaston in 1944 – the main components seem to have been built by Heston. The modern restoration was completed at Rochester in 1992 and the recent mini restoration at North Weald.
By: The"Eh"Team - 3rd December 2010 at 09:36
Was this machine constructed on site or elsewhere such as “Bentwaters”.thanks in advance for any reply.:)
By: me109g4 - 2nd December 2010 at 22:05
Many thanks for the pics,,some great shots. I wish the Spit a long and enjoyable life.
By: Mark V - 2nd December 2010 at 16:18
A Mk IX wing panel
This is actually the outer wing flap and and the starboard aileron of PT879. Both have original factory paint from Castle Bromwich on them – fascinating in its own right.
By: ozplane - 2nd December 2010 at 12:30
Excellent, I look forward to that.
By: darrenharbar - 1st December 2010 at 19:35
Peter has written this up as an interesting article that will be published soon.:)
By: ozplane - 1st December 2010 at 18:07
Excellent update and it’s quite a stunning collection isn’t it? For those of us not “in the know”, where has the engine been in the interim period and how has it come to be re-united with the airframe?
By: JP Vieira - 1st December 2010 at 16:58
Excellent photos on a very interesting subject: many thanks
By: wiseman - 1st December 2010 at 06:09
Very nice. The Spitfire looks even more elegant wearing only raw metal.
Thanks.
By: Padidiver - 30th November 2010 at 21:32
Nice shots, A good way to spend the day:cool:
By: Phantom Phil - 30th November 2010 at 15:12
Hangar Design?
Just a slight bit out here from topic…
What type of Hangar is that and can anyone supply a manufacturer?
Cheers,
Phil.
By: davecurnock - 30th November 2010 at 10:46
Interesting set of shots, Martin.
“Just a ground engine test on the other side of the airfield.” :rolleyes:
Better do it on the ground than in the air, though!
Thanks for posting.
By: Flygirl - 30th November 2010 at 09:40
Lovely shots Martin.
By: Wyvernfan - 30th November 2010 at 08:18
Love the first shot of the Mustang. The arc of the prop has been caught beautifully and adds to the realism.
By: GliderSpit - 30th November 2010 at 04:56
Great pictures and a very nice place to be.
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November 29, 2010 at 9:37 pm