Mk Vb Spitfire W3644 blade?

The Hydromatic props were introduced part-way through the Mk.Vc’s production, in mid 1942. The earlier examples (which I believe would include Mk.Vb W3644) still had the earlier Hamilton-licenced bracket propellers. For an account of the difference in take-off performance see Shores’ “Malta: The Spitfire Year.

Off hand the RAAF used what we got in the crates from the Uk….

At first I thought it was a Hurricane due to the oil ring but now it looks like it is a Spitfire with the ring, is that usual.

Richard

Hi, Is this thread still being monitored by the group? I have some more information on the DH Hydromatic propeller Type 45/4 used on Mk Vc Spitfires by the RAAF in the Pacific during WWII. One aspect of their design was that they only had 3 barrel bolts in the hub between each blade ( ie a total of 9 barrel bolts for the whole assembly on this 3 bladed propeller) rather than 4 bolts between each blade which was the more common layout for the larger hydromatic propellers (ala Hamilton Standard 23E50 on a C-47). Attached is a close up of a DH45/4 hyromatic prop installation on a No.79 Squadron RAAF Spitifre. The blades were of aluminium construction too, not laminated timber as per the Rotol blades.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]253868[/ATTACH]

Supermarine and Westland built Mk Vs had de Havilland Hydromatic (metal blades).props/spinners. CBAF two types of Rotol props/spinners, initially RX5/14 or RX5/24 (metal blades), later RX5/10 (wooden composite). Repairs etc can change that. W3644 was built by Supermarine.

Is anyone operating a Spitfire with a Hydromatic prop nowadays?

Pete

Supermarine and Westland built Mk Vs had de Havilland Hydromatic (metal blades).props/spinners. CBAF two types of Rotol props/spinners, initially RX5/14 or RX5/24 (metal blades), later RX5/10 (wooden composite). Repairs etc can change that. W3644 was built by Supermarine.

Is anyone operating a Spitfire with a Hydromatic prop nowadays?

Pete

Here is one I made earlier for the Italians.

Mark

Here is one I made earlier for the Italians.

Mark

Blade of choice

Thanks guys for all the great info, down at the lock up tomorrow will look at what replicas we have. Will be back on this thread.

Simon

Blade of choice

Thanks guys for all the great info, down at the lock up tomorrow will look at what replicas we have. Will be back on this thread.

Simon

Supermarine and Westland built Mk Vs had de Havilland Hydromatic (metal blades).props/spinners. CBAF two types of Rotol props/spinners, initially RX5/14 or RX5/24 (metal blades), later RX5/10 (wooden composite). Repairs etc can change that. W3644 was built by Supermarine.

Supermarine and Westland built Mk Vs had de Havilland Hydromatic (metal blades).props/spinners. CBAF two types of Rotol props/spinners, initially RX5/14 or RX5/24 (metal blades), later RX5/10 (wooden composite). Repairs etc can change that. W3644 was built by Supermarine.

Maybe the question should be what props does the replica have. Some of the replicas I’ve seen appear to have Rotol type blades with a deHavilland type spinner. The safe option for the Vb blades would be leave them black with 4” yellow tips which is correct for deHavilland and earlier Rotol blades. As for the Mk.IX, It would probably be fitted with Jablo blades which would be signified by a pink/red disk. For more info shove Jablo into the search function on this forum and see what you get back.

Anne

Maybe the question should be what props does the replica have. Some of the replicas I’ve seen appear to have Rotol type blades with a deHavilland type spinner. The safe option for the Vb blades would be leave them black with 4” yellow tips which is correct for deHavilland and earlier Rotol blades. As for the Mk.IX, It would probably be fitted with Jablo blades which would be signified by a pink/red disk. For more info shove Jablo into the search function on this forum and see what you get back.

Anne

I have recovered wrecks of at least three Mk Vs where there were DH metal bladed props, although some Spit Vs certainly were Rotol fitted. However, whether Rotol or DH neither blade had a company transfer at that period, just a DH or Rotol badge at the tip of the spinner.

I do know of at least three ‘W’ series Spit Vs that had metal blades – W3333 included. I am sure sombody will know if there were serial batches that were Rotol or DH, but for the moment my money would be on DH blades.

I have recovered wrecks of at least three Mk Vs where there were DH metal bladed props, although some Spit Vs certainly were Rotol fitted. However, whether Rotol or DH neither blade had a company transfer at that period, just a DH or Rotol badge at the tip of the spinner.

I do know of at least three ‘W’ series Spit Vs that had metal blades – W3333 included. I am sure sombody will know if there were serial batches that were Rotol or DH, but for the moment my money would be on DH blades.

Mk.V prop

Didn’t most of the Spit Mk.V’s have Rotol hubs and blades?

You don’t want de-H stencils on a Rotol prop (or vice versa):eek:

Anon.

Mk.V prop

Didn’t most of the Spit Mk.V’s have Rotol hubs and blades?

You don’t want de-H stencils on a Rotol prop (or vice versa):eek:

Anon.

Airscrew markings

Andy,

We have a replica of the Lytham St Annes Spitfire that is going to be a memorial aircraft (full scale). I just wanted to get the markings right on the blades and body. If you have any markings info for the whole aircraft it would be fantastic. We also have a replica of Hugo Armstrong’s Mk IX BS435 that we are doing up so in need of the stencils for two A/C. I will draw them up to scale in Adobe illustrator then get the stencils cut by hand or a laser cutter. So my next question is what blades would Hugo Armstrong’s mk IX have?

Many thanks

Simon

Airscrew markings

Andy,

We have a replica of the Lytham St Annes Spitfire that is going to be a memorial aircraft (full scale). I just wanted to get the markings right on the blades and body. If you have any markings info for the whole aircraft it would be fantastic. We also have a replica of Hugo Armstrong’s Mk IX BS435 that we are doing up so in need of the stencils for two A/C. I will draw them up to scale in Adobe illustrator then get the stencils cut by hand or a laser cutter. So my next question is what blades would Hugo Armstrong’s mk IX have?

Many thanks

Simon