Can anyone clear something up for me. I have always assumed that the Spitfire MkV had the earlier Merlin and had the three exhaust pipes with a three bladed prop. I thought the MkIX had a more powerful Merlin distinguishable by six exhaust pipes and a four bladed prop.
However, having just seen a photo of BBMF Spit AB910 my theory is obviously wrong as it is shown as a MkV.
TIA
By: Aerodynamik - 10th January 2012 at 08:39
Ah, so my theory still stands…ish. Thanks for the info guys.
Steve
By: Aerodynamik - 10th January 2012 at 08:39
Ah, so my theory still stands…ish. Thanks for the info guys.
Steve
By: Mark12 - 10th January 2012 at 07:55
The shortage of three-bladed units has been a longstanding one. Several earlier Marks of Spit have used a later four-bladed airscrew. I seem to recall the Gauntlet Spit (A MKII..?) operated from Booker used to sport several features of later Spits, including the prop etc. This was all altered to correct it’s appearance a few years ago. When Charles Church was in full-flow, he had a run of three-bladed hubs manufactured, but they were all snapped-up in swift fashion.
I think you will find it was the four blade hubs that Charles Church had made at Dowtys….at eye watering cost, despite Dowtys picking up about 50% of the true cost.
Metal Mosquito builders please note. 🙂
Mark
By: Mark12 - 10th January 2012 at 07:55
The shortage of three-bladed units has been a longstanding one. Several earlier Marks of Spit have used a later four-bladed airscrew. I seem to recall the Gauntlet Spit (A MKII..?) operated from Booker used to sport several features of later Spits, including the prop etc. This was all altered to correct it’s appearance a few years ago. When Charles Church was in full-flow, he had a run of three-bladed hubs manufactured, but they were all snapped-up in swift fashion.
I think you will find it was the four blade hubs that Charles Church had made at Dowtys….at eye watering cost, despite Dowtys picking up about 50% of the true cost.
Metal Mosquito builders please note. 🙂
Mark
By: Mark12 - 10th January 2012 at 07:50
Here is an operational shot of a Mk V with 352 Squadron in 1945 at Prkos sporting six port exhausts. Many Spitfires in this theatre were so fitted.
Interestingly many of these Spitfires were fitted with extended horn elevators and matching tail planes.
Mark
By: Mark12 - 10th January 2012 at 07:50
Here is an operational shot of a Mk V with 352 Squadron in 1945 at Prkos sporting six port exhausts. Many Spitfires in this theatre were so fitted.
Interestingly many of these Spitfires were fitted with extended horn elevators and matching tail planes.
Mark
By: Snoopy7422 - 10th January 2012 at 02:51
An Old Chestnut.
The shortage of three-bladed units has been a longstanding one. Several earlier Marks of Spit have used a later four-bladed airscrew. I seem to recall the Gauntlet Spit (A MKII..?) operated from Booker used to sport several features of later Spits, including the prop etc. This was all altered to correct it’s appearance a few years ago. When Charles Church was in full-flow, he had a run of three-bladed hubs manufactured, but they were all snapped-up in swift fashion.
By: Snoopy7422 - 10th January 2012 at 02:51
An Old Chestnut.
The shortage of three-bladed units has been a longstanding one. Several earlier Marks of Spit have used a later four-bladed airscrew. I seem to recall the Gauntlet Spit (A MKII..?) operated from Booker used to sport several features of later Spits, including the prop etc. This was all altered to correct it’s appearance a few years ago. When Charles Church was in full-flow, he had a run of three-bladed hubs manufactured, but they were all snapped-up in swift fashion.
By: Speedy - 10th January 2012 at 00:38
Do AB910 or P7 currently fly with a IX nose profile?
As Mark12 indicated, three bladed props are in short supply, so it is most likely that only the propeller having 4 blades, and spinner profile are different.
By: Speedy - 10th January 2012 at 00:38
Do AB910 or P7 currently fly with a IX nose profile?
As Mark12 indicated, three bladed props are in short supply, so it is most likely that only the propeller having 4 blades, and spinner profile are different.
By: Edgar Brooks - 10th January 2012 at 00:22
Mk.Vs had the three-branch exhausts to allow pipes to be fitted inside, and the hot air was piped down beside the engine, then through the wings’ leading edges, and out to the .303″ Brownings. The cannon were heated by the single radiator.
When the IX arrived, the two radiators generated enough heat to supply the cannon and the .303″s. This enabled the multi-ejector exhausts to be used, which added a few mph to the speed.
In January 1944, multi-ejector exhausts were introduced to tropical Mk.Vs.
By: Edgar Brooks - 10th January 2012 at 00:22
Mk.Vs had the three-branch exhausts to allow pipes to be fitted inside, and the hot air was piped down beside the engine, then through the wings’ leading edges, and out to the .303″ Brownings. The cannon were heated by the single radiator.
When the IX arrived, the two radiators generated enough heat to supply the cannon and the .303″s. This enabled the multi-ejector exhausts to be used, which added a few mph to the speed.
In January 1944, multi-ejector exhausts were introduced to tropical Mk.Vs.
By: Collis - 9th January 2012 at 23:28
The Mk.IX also has about 10.365″ longer nose, ‘cos its Merlin has a two stage supercharger. The stretch occurs between the back of the engine and Frame 5, the firewall.
Do AB910 or P7 currently fly with a IX nose profile?
By: Collis - 9th January 2012 at 23:28
The Mk.IX also has about 10.365″ longer nose, ‘cos its Merlin has a two stage supercharger. The stretch occurs between the back of the engine and Frame 5, the firewall.
Do AB910 or P7 currently fly with a IX nose profile?
By: Speedy - 9th January 2012 at 22:25
The Mk.IX also has about 10.635″ longer nose, ‘cos its Merlin has a two stage supercharger. The stretch occurs between the back of the engine and Frame 5, the firewall.
By: Speedy - 9th January 2012 at 22:25
The Mk.IX also has about 10.635″ longer nose, ‘cos its Merlin has a two stage supercharger. The stretch occurs between the back of the engine and Frame 5, the firewall.
By: pistonrob - 9th January 2012 at 22:16
AB910 is a MKV but retained the later engine as mentioned by mark purely to keep her flying. i believe she flew with some mod`d exhaust stubs at some point to give the look of the mkV. i think these were prone to cracking though.
out of interest
either the port or starboard outer engine on PA474 used the be a different mark of engine from the other 3 during the 1990`s. not sure if it still is??
By: pistonrob - 9th January 2012 at 22:16
AB910 is a MKV but retained the later engine as mentioned by mark purely to keep her flying. i believe she flew with some mod`d exhaust stubs at some point to give the look of the mkV. i think these were prone to cracking though.
out of interest
either the port or starboard outer engine on PA474 used the be a different mark of engine from the other 3 during the 1990`s. not sure if it still is??
By: Mark12 - 9th January 2012 at 22:01
Late Mk V’s were fitted the six port exhausts.
I am sure if the BBMF had a spare three blade propeller and support spares the would fit it.
AB910 was fitted with a four blade prop for racing, post WWII, when in private ownership
Mark
By: Mark12 - 9th January 2012 at 22:01
Late Mk V’s were fitted the six port exhausts.
I am sure if the BBMF had a spare three blade propeller and support spares the would fit it.
AB910 was fitted with a four blade prop for racing, post WWII, when in private ownership
Mark
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January 9, 2012 at 9:42 pm