Spitfire IX with short carb intake

Yep.

Does anyone know if there are any Spitfire IXs still around that have the earlier small carb intake?

If we leave the flyers aside for a second, I believe the (very static) sole surviving Mk VII, in Washington DC, has the early stubby air intake as fitted to early Mk IXs and Mk VIIIs as well.

Just out of interest, could the restorers use the earlier type (as fitted to the MKI, II, V VI & early IX’s), elevator?

Paul

Yes. 🙂

How about the early tailplane/elevator?

Yes.

Oh, that will be nice to see for a change! 🙂

Just out of interest, could the restorers use the earlier type (as fitted to the MKI, II, V VI & early IX’s), elevator?

As I mentioned above, it seems the CAA Airworthiness Approval Notes for the VIII,IX XI & XVI’s use this AP to include the necessary modifications in a restoration that they consider relevant to the airworthiness of the aircraft in question, and I note that the fitting of the later increased horn balanced elevator is usually on the list.

I know it was designed to improve the handling in pitch, but if you wanted to restore an early MKIX to the condition it was when it left the factory, and it happened to have the earlier type elevator (which I’m sure BR601 did), would the CAA (or which ever country’s aviation authority is responsible for airworthiness requirements) not approve it?

Perhaps I’ve already answered my question when I referenced the type of tailplane/elevator fitted to the airworthy MKV’s, or is this just the owner/restorers choice so the pitch handling is better?

Cheers

Paul

Thanks for the replies.

Mark – looking at a picture of BR601 you posted a while back as it was in 1968, it appears to have the later larger filter. Do you know that it will be restored with the earlier type?

Thanks again

Yes.

Thanks for the replies.

Mark – looking at a picture of BR601 you posted a while back as it was in 1968, it appears to have the later larger filter. Do you know that it will be restored with the earlier type?

Thanks again

BR601? Was this not the one that donated its wings to another project, and sat as just a fuselage shell for a while in a museum?

Does anyone know if there are any Spitfire IXs still around that have the earlier small carb intake?

Thanks

None.

Standby however for the airworthy restoration of the very early Mk IX BR601.

Mark

Does anyone know if there are any Spitfire IXs still around that have the earlier small carb intake?

Also, why was this changed on later aircraft? Was it to incorporate a more comprehensive filter arrangement to cater for all service environments instead of needing a Volks filter etc.?

Thanks

Spiteful,

There are none currently flying today with the shorter intake, although some of them like MH434 would have when it rolled out of Castle Bromwich in 1943.

The later longer & larger type was introduced on later MK VIII’s, IX’s, XI’s & the XVI’s to house the Vokes tropical filter, of which I think there were at least 3 different variations! (Mark12 and any of the other Spit experts/restorers should be able to confirm this).

If you look at pictures of 434 for example, it was fitted with this type of filter whilst in Dutch service, and was probably done quite a bit earlier on in it’s service life to keep it in line with the various Mods that were introduced as MKIX/XVI production went on.

It think you’ll find that all of the UK’s airworthy Spits have to come up to & include (where applicable) the latest Mod standard, in the case of the MKIX’s, it’s AP1565W Vol 2. Part 1 Leaflet Z.26 from 1950.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Paul