Mk1 Spitfire Build – Help Needed

Fascinating thread! Looks like a lot of parts failed in a brittle state. Some of the structural members fractured instead of tearing.

The spiral gear is likely from one of the vertical cross shafts inside the accessory case of the Rolls engine. Might be the driven end for the mag or fuel pump.

The one gauge face looks like a boost gauge. Please be extremely careful as many of these and likely that one (the boost gauges, compass, etc) were painted with radon, which is radioactive. The radiation does go through glass and the dust is very bad if opened. I would recommend borrowing/renting a geiger counter just in case. I had some in my old shop (attached pic) built at that time that glow to this day.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]243468[/ATTACH]

Thank you chumpy, never got round to posting the part number. Also found a squashed data plate I’ve just worked out is one of the spinner plates…probably called something else, but it is one of the small plates fixed equidistant on the spinner between each blade. I’ll photograph and post tomorrow…it’s rather nice and was fixed with one last rivet to a small portion of the spinner!

The long curvy thing pictured in post 142 is part of the radiator fairing. Packing piece that fits between the inner and outer skins at the extreme rear edge.

Nice bit of woodwork going on there, wish we could of done such stuff during my school days!

First trial fitting of the elevator with the stabiliser, all lines up well with good gaps. Still some final shaping to do, but a fun moment!

Thank you Ian, for the information and encouragement. We are just starting to organise the finds into labelled trays now, plenty of 30008 parts (wing) so this makes sense too.

The gloss painted black strappy bits in the middle are parts of the landing light mechanism from the wing. I had a similar piece from a local L serial Spit for many years with no idea of id. The eureaka moment happened at the excellent museum at Sleap in Shropshire, where they had a complete landing light unit on display. I took a photo which I now, inevitably, can’t find. Very impressive progress with your project!

Some parts to identify…

Here are a selection of parts that I’d appreciate any insight into what they might be. No part numbers, apart from the long curvy thing on the left. (I’ll run and get the number in a min), but in the meantime, the other bits seem quite interesting to me, and possible that someone might recognise what they are. The gloss black painted parts are a light alloy.

More interesting bits, thanks for the updates. You have a lot of scrubbing to do! The left hand parts in the last photo are pneumatic connectors from the gun bays.
I’ve only got a longer canopy slider for comparison, presumably rear as a matching stop has been fitted to the rear of the runner. I will take measurements as soon as I find the calipers!

I believe the longer bronze slider is for the rear mounting of the low back teardrop canopy.

Mark

This shot is interesting; it shows, in order, Interior Green, Exterior Brown, Exterior Green…and then Exterior underside Pale Blue. The reason this is interesting, as I’ve mentioned before, is that it shows that underneath the blue is Black. We have other parts that are White underneath…ie…Black and White as P9374 displays.

DBenz,

Your information is very interesting indeed. If you could send me that info, I can see if we can get something going with this. We are also after a definitive, detailed drawing for a Mk1a panel, just as P9374 has…just asking! 🙂

Propstrike,

Yes, I’ve seen his Spit, what an undertaking! Makes me glad we’re not doing ours to fly…!

I wonder if you ever looked at the work of Clive du Cros, and his impressive wooden Spitfire.

Some photos are on the 2nd page of this thread.

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=54783&start=15

Your canopy and hood look outstanding. For a project with no budget, you are making a little go a very long way !

Thanks Ian, that seems like a good suggestion to me, I’ll investigate further and post my findings.
Dom

That remnant with REF then breakage is an adaptor plate for fitting the standard size boost gauge into the larger inst panel hole. I have drawing of the full item as well as its markings, spacers etc.

Inst panel by the way has an emery paper type surface texture on the side facing the pilot, its not dead smooth, and the lettering is silvery, un blackened panel.
Fasteners on the main panel were dome headed slot headed stainless steel with an engraved ring, visible in the panel relic shot. 2BA 4BA and 6BA sizes. various spacers and washers.
I have the entire accurate listing with sizes for all that was used in it.

If someone can oblige in making up the set required from this exhaustive listing, I am up for a set myself. Listing is the result of years of research.

Blind Flying panel was smooth matt black, fasteners were a mix of flat countersunk blackened and domed headed blackened.

DBenz.

Thanks Sopwith, I agree! Expect to hear sounds of a Merlin III over Leicestershire in the next few years, and then nobodu can say there’s not a Mk1 flying in the UK!

I shall look forward to seeing it:eagerness:

Thank you Mike. We have a new DT teacher who joined the school this term and he’s pitching in with our evenings now, so no longer am I alone and a one man band. Already making much faster progress. Should mean more up-dates more regularly.

Oh, by the way, I understand that on our website you can opt in for up-dates, and will automatically get an email when new ‘stuff’ is added.

Stunning work as usual .
Well done
Regards Mike

Fantastic stuff!

Hello Rob,

I’ll PM you details of the company…not cheap mind you. They do all marks, and supply BBMF.

The canopy looks fantastic. How did you get them moulded. I am working with a fibreglass bulged canopy and its quite thick about 4mm, so although it difficult to cut its quite rigid. I had given up on locating a flat sided one.

Thanks Sopwith, I agree! Expect to hear sounds of a Merlin III over Leicestershire in the next few years, and then nobodu can say there’s not a Mk1 flying in the UK!

Here’s the front screen and main canopy. Rear screen is on its way. I managed to get a correct Mk1 frame section last year, (front frame of rear canopy), so we have a good template to work from, but equally, I know how tricky this job will be.