I generally consider myself up to speed on Spits, but in this case I can’t find the answer for sure.
So to the Flypast experts:
Did the Spit IX carry the leading edge fuel tanks that the VIII and others did operationally?
I’ve got every Spit book there is and none seem to give me a definative answer
Thanks
Dan
By: Bruce - 26th September 2003 at 15:35
Err yes, the fuselage had been converted back by Richard Meltons chaps by the time we got it, but it had been a Mk8 at one point!!
It also ended up with a new build tail section after the original was swapped out for a Merlin style tail!
Nice aeroplane though
Bruce
By: DazDaMan - 26th September 2003 at 15:14
SM832
I also recall reading somewhere the original plan was to restore it to MkVIII spec!!!
By: Bruce - 26th September 2003 at 14:50
The Mk 9 did not carry leading edge tanks operationally.
To fit the standard Supermarine ones requires a modification to the leading edge, to fit a removable panel, as per Mk 8, 14, 18 etc.
Typically, the 9 did not carry rear tanks either, although some high back 16’s (post war) did.
These days, anything goes!
It is common to fit wing tanks using the mod devised by Supermarine for the Tr9, and also rear top tanks to add a bit more. I remember doing one 14, which had fuel everywhere – wing leading edges, gun bays and rear fuselage. It did give it a reasonable range though!! I think it was SM832 – brain is going these days!!
HTH
Bruce
By: DazDaMan - 25th September 2003 at 18:22
Hell yes! 😉
By: von Perthes - 25th September 2003 at 17:56
The Spitfire VII also had the leading edge fuel tanks, mainly to give enough fuel to climb up to 40,000 feet+ and then to ensure a reasonable endurance once there. These held 14 gal each, and the main tanks were also enlarged to hold 96 gal, thus giving it an internal fuel capacity of 124 gal – 40% more than any other Merlin engined Spitfire. The MkVIII had a similar tank arrangement.
The longest sortie flown by 131 (County of Kent) sqdn with their Spitfire VIIs was a 609 mile round trip, for which they were airborne for 3hrs 50min.
I’ve got some nice Spitfire VII pix if anyone’s interested?
Geoff.
By: Mark V - 25th September 2003 at 12:31
Just looking again at Daz’s post – both the single T8 and the later (that is 1940’s post war factory converted) T9’s had wing tanks (2 x 14 gallon as per standard Mk VIII and also a 14.5 gall tank outboard of the wheel well in each wing) giving total internal fuel capacity of 96 gallons. The fuselage tank in front of the cockpit was reduced from 48 galls to 39 galls because of the relocation of the front cockpit.
Modern conversions such as PT462 had additional wing tank capacity, as did the restored ML407. PT462 actually has seven individual fuel filling points!
By: Mark V - 25th September 2003 at 09:08
The Mk IX is basically a Mk V with a revised engine bearer to take the 60 series Merlin and a strengthened rear fuselage so no it did not have the leading edge fuel tank of the VIII which was a redesigned airframe that ultimately bore the two stage Griffon as the Mk XIV.
The additional fuel capacity seen on some preserved Spitfires is usually (as far as I am aware), a modern modification – I am thinking gun and ammo bay tanks – the rear fuselage tank in ML417 may be larger than the wartime 26 gallon tank but I suspect not. The T9 trainer PT462 uses ‘wet’ leading edges derived from the PR 19 of 68 gall capacity each.
By: DazDaMan - 25th September 2003 at 08:43
I don’t admit to being the biggest expert here, but I don’t think they did.
However, they certainly did carry extra fuel tanks behind the cockpit – I seem to remember ex-TFC Spitf IX ML417 being fitted as such, but don’t have a picture handy to confirm.
I think the two-seat Spitfires did have wing tanks – with the forward cockpit reducing the fuel tankage in the fuselage, they gave the TrVIII/IX extra fuel in the wings, but again I could be wrong and it could have been only the MkVIII prototype. Certainly remember reading ML407’s wing tanks being increased in size during her rebuild.
Someone out there can better inform you!
By: warbirdUK - 25th September 2003 at 08:42
None of the MkIX Spitfires I have worked on had leading edge tanks fitted but that’s not to say It didn’t happen, although there is nothing in the MkIX pilots notes or indeed the repair manual that I have. I know the Mk8 at Filton has wing tanks but they are not in the LE either they are aft of the main spar. Looking at the C of G for the aircraft it looks decidedly dodgy having anything in the LE as it is forward of the Cof G which would need extra weight in the tail to compensate, maybe if you had a rear fus ferry fuel tank fitted you would get away with it! Hope this helps.
Cheers………:)
Sign In
September 25, 2003 at 6:44 am