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Spitfire Mk I wing access panel.

Situated on the starboard wing of Spitfire MkI aircrat, relatively close inboard, is a circular access panel associated with the externally mounted camera gun. The panel has two lines of black stencilled writing. Does anybody know what this might say?

I have one photo that looks as if it reads: ELECT CHAN

Leastways, I think this is the right panel….unless there is yet another (similar) circular panel a little further outboard. Again…what does the lettering say?

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By: Arabella-Cox - 30th July 2011 at 08:15

And the verdict was, Mark V?

Let us know what you think!

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By: Arabella-Cox - 27th July 2011 at 14:55

I’m sure it isn’t my eyesight!

And in the context of what this panel was for (I think!) then it might make sense.

Andy

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By: Mark V - 27th July 2011 at 14:46

Mark V

Do you have access to “Gifts of War”?

I certainly do – its one of the best sources for shots of the small stencils, I will take another look tonight.

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By: Arabella-Cox - 27th July 2011 at 08:04

Mark V

Do you have access to “Gifts of War”?

If so, take a peek at page 233, top image.

The panel I am talking about can be seen there and I have had a close look under a magnifying glass. The image is pretty clear, and I am as certain as I can be that it reads ELECT CHAN, rather than ELECT CONN.

Any views, anyone?

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By: Mark V - 26th July 2011 at 17:11

Skirting over Paul McMillan’s helpful reply :rolleyes: might I turn to the more erudite Mark V?

Your welcome Andy – there are a few circular panels usually marked ‘ELECT CONN’ on the wings, its also often stencilled on the second from forward wing root fairing (both sides). Sometimes I have seen it marked simply as ELECTRICAL but it seems to be a generic indication of anything concealing an electrical terminal or similar device, if indeed the one you are looking at is thus marked.

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By: Arabella-Cox - 26th July 2011 at 15:39

Skirting over Paul McMillan’s helpful reply :rolleyes: might I turn to the more erudite Mark V?

The panel in question is the locating point on early Mk Spitfires for mounting the over-wing camera gun and I am trying to reassure myself that the panel I can see marked ELECT CONN is, indeed, that same panel or if there is another such panel a little further outboard.

I am taking some other advice on this…unless you can throw any light, Mark V?

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By: paulmcmillan - 26th July 2011 at 15:33

It reads ‘ELECT CONN’ (Electrical connection).

It only says this on the Right Wing
On the Left Wing it says ‘ELECT LAB’
and down the fuselage it says ‘ELECT LIBDEM’

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By: Mark V - 26th July 2011 at 13:25

I have one photo that looks as if it reads: ELECT CHAN

It reads ‘ELECT CONN’ (Electrical connection). There were quite a few of them on Spitfires, both Mk.1’s and later aircraft.

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By: Moggy C - 25th July 2011 at 19:59

“Kentish pasty”

Wasn’t she the blonde actress who became a rock chick and married one of those mancunian pale imitations of the Beatles?

Sorry Andy – back to your access cover – I have awarded myself an infraction for going off topic

Moggy

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