Just about to drop a meteor into our replica MkVIII Spit. The meteor for those who havent seen one before is sometimes called the poor man’s Merlin,thats about right in my case anyway. A Meteor is the tank/Boat? version of the Merlin, the supercharger was removed along with of coarse the prop reduction gear. They have the same capacity, bore and stroke but only produce about 600BHP (only he says:diablo: ) The great thing about them is they are relatively cheap, you can pick up a good running example for £3000 to £5000, try getting a running Merlin for that, more like 20K minimum for a static runner ouch. They have roller cams and the carb sits on the top. You can fit Merlin rocker covers and exhaust stubbs and they sing with that same deep throtty growl of the Merlin. We were originally going to fit a V12 Jag engine but the meteor is a better fit in a spit, and the Jags 5.5 litres is no match for the Meteors 27. The engine mount was designed by a specialist race car engineer,and there is considerable strengenthing of the fusilarg, the main issue apparently being the torque. We have fitted a hydraulic pump straight onto the crank which will drive a Hydraulic motor and torque hub. This will produce 1100+ Ft Llbs of torgue at 800 RPM working on a 3 to 1 reduction from the crank speed. The hydraulics were purchased from a US surplus website for about £800 incuding shipping and import tax, you’ll also need a hydraulic tank. We are fitting a two bladed single piece Watts prop we have made ourselves (dont worry its a proper job).
I know a MkVIII should be four bladed prop but for one we don’t have one, two can’t afford one and i dont think the meteor would have enought power to spin it at any useable RPM’s . We are hoping that the two bladed prop at 800 RPM will be enough to Taxi, who knows?:confused: We have a replica four blade for disply purposes.
Does anyone know how the Meteor was cooled?? Desperately need a Rad for one or what sort of capacity is required to keep the Beast cool diablo:
Will post some more pics thursday after its fitted, Oh yes and i forgot to mention, all those original WWII instruments and switches are compatable with the Meteor and our panel is fitted with complete original working instruments.
By: Graham Adlam - 20th June 2009 at 19:06
Here is the trailer for the wings laid flat Mr Mitchell must have known the regulations for trailers when designing the Spitfire;) The trailer is the max legal width of 2.55m, Spit wings are 2.53 and widest point. This cannot be towed legally by a car, it has to be over 3.5 tons. Just have to put a bed on, will add surports to hold them on the trailer once they are in place.:)
Here is the trailer with the wings loaded just need to add side lights and new tyres and its ready to roll. Is anyone going to Chelmsford next weekend, if so be sure to say hello:)
By: XX894-helper - 16th June 2009 at 20:05
Looking really good. 😀 Chris.
By: stuart gowans - 16th June 2009 at 18:36
Or is it the end of the beginning?
By: Graham Adlam - 16th June 2009 at 18:25
Impressive bit of welding Graham! Look forward to seeing the Spit fire up soon. Didn’t realise it had been for a summer break in Cardiff. It was just round the corner from my flat.
Thanks Ian
Cardiff was a great event had alot of fun.!!
Wings fitted now just finishing off some detail the list is endless, its not the end but the beginning of the end 🙂
By: ian_ - 12th June 2009 at 17:31
Impressive bit of welding Graham! Look forward to seeing the Spit fire up soon. Didn’t realise it had been for a summer break in Cardiff. It was just round the corner from my flat.
By: Graham Adlam - 12th June 2009 at 16:47
Trailer
Here is the trailer for the wings laid flat Mr Mitchell must have known the regulations for trailers when designing the Spitfire;) The trailer is the max legal width of 2.55m, Spit wings are 2.53 and widest point. This cannot be towed legally by a car, it has to be over 3.5 tons. Just have to put a bed on, will add surports to hold them on the trailer once they are in place.:)
By: Graham Adlam - 4th June 2009 at 17:45
Don’t know if you sold that Mossie fuselage, but i reckon if you still have it , build a wing ang hang two Meteors on it, twice the noise, you know you want to……………….
Sounds like fun but its a Whirlwind next 🙂
By: Junk Collector - 4th June 2009 at 17:10
Don’t know if you sold that Mossie fuselage, but i reckon if you still have it , build a wing and hang two Meteors on it, twice the noise, you know you want to……………….
By: spitfireman - 3rd June 2009 at 20:02
…if it looks like a Spitfire…and it sounds like a Spitfire…..It’s a Spitfire!!
nice one mate
check Spitfire Corner – Today for reply.
cheers Baz
By: Graham Adlam - 3rd June 2009 at 19:14
That depends on the engine Graham it should say which way it turns? Your first pic on your site shows right hand rotation prop as viewed from cockpit and last one shows left hand rotation??
With our Hydraulic drive from the Meteor the prop can rotate in either direction, I think I have made a serious error with the prop which cannot be easily rectified, what is they say measure twice cut once!!!!!:o
By: Peter - 3rd June 2009 at 19:11
That depends on the engine Graham it should say which way it turns? Your first pic on your site shows right hand rotation prop as viewed from cockpit and last one shows left hand rotation??
By: Graham Adlam - 3rd June 2009 at 19:07
Thanks Graham.. interesting to note the engine is left hand rotation compared to right hand in our Lancaster.
OOPS have I make a school boy error with the blade rotation??? Prop rotates clockwise looking from front.
By: Peter - 3rd June 2009 at 19:05
Thanks Graham.. interesting to note the engine is left hand rotation compared to right hand in our Lancaster.
By: Graham Adlam - 3rd June 2009 at 19:01
Look forward to seeing pics of her complete with kill markings etc..
Should have the wings and other bits and pieces fitted this week you can see more pics and a video here at the bottom of the page.
http://spitfirespares.com/SPITFIRESPARES.COM/pages/Spitfire%20MkVIII%20Replica%20page%203.html
By: Peter - 3rd June 2009 at 18:54
Look forward to seeing pics of her complete with kill markings etc..
By: Graham Adlam - 3rd June 2009 at 18:48
Thanks Stuart. I zoomed in a bit and it looks like your right! Excellent Job Graham she looks really great now!!
Thanks Peter must admit I am pleased how She turned out there were times when I thought I would never get there.:(
By: Graham Adlam - 3rd June 2009 at 18:46
looks like the blades are masked up for the yellow tips.
I lived about 4 miles from Hylands park for most of my life, I move away and Graham comes to town; typical!
Seems like a nice spot we will be set up on the crossroads just inside the main gate. They kept us away from the house after I warned them it might get a bit noisy.:diablo:
By: Graham Adlam - 3rd June 2009 at 18:45
Something looks odd with the prop Graham? Is there tape or paper on the blades at the tips?
Hello Peter
Stuarts spot on its masking for the yellow tips. Had enough of spraying and masking, the sun was out and could’nt wait to get Her out of the shed a moment longer.:) The lorry is in there now about to be painted RAF blue.
By: Peter - 3rd June 2009 at 18:39
Thanks Stuart. I zoomed in a bit and it looks like your right! Excellent Job Graham she looks really great now!!
By: stuart gowans - 3rd June 2009 at 18:33
looks like the blades are masked up for the yellow tips.
I lived about 4 miles from Hylands park for most of my life, I move away and Graham comes to town; typical!
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January 30, 2007 at 8:40 pm