Spitfire query (sorry)

I am not sure, I read this

and since the serial is also found here:
http://koti.welho.com/msolanak/spitregist.html
I decided to try and find more information

Fantasma 337,

On the web site referring to ‘356’ it reads:-

“Numbers in light blue colour denote aircraft for which the letter prefix in their serial is not known.”

The ‘356’ in this case would I am sure either PL356 or PV356, both of which served with the Greek Air Force.

Mark

I am not sure, I read this

and since the serial is also found here:
http://koti.welho.com/msolanak/spitregist.html
I decided to try and find more information

Hmm … paraphrased from the 1986 edition of “Spitfire Survivors”. I have grave doubts about this a/c having any Greek connections.

I am not sure, I read this

Built at Castle Bromwich. To 29 MU on 23rd June 1945, to 695 Sqn (later 34 Sqn) on July 11th. With 2 CAACU from August 20th 1951 until September 1st 1952, then instructional airframe 6709M and 7001M at Bicester. Taxied in ‘ The Battle of Britain’ film in 1968, then to 4 Sqn detachment of CFS at Kemble for restoration to flying condition, but work halted. To CFS Little Rissington on December 4th 1970, displayed on pylon. To Cranwell with CFS on April 20th 1976 then to Leeming in 1978. Exchanged for a P-47D and joined Doug Arnold’s Warbirds of GB collection in 1986, stored at Bitteswell. Registered G-SXVI on February 25th 1987, rebuilt by Trent Aero East Midlands, first flight on December 16th 1987. At Biggin Hill until 1990. To Evergreen Ventures of Oregon, USA as N356EV in January 1990, to 747 Inc of Oregon as N356TE March 1991. Note : The TE356 seems to had a short life with the RHAF.. We may assume it was early returned to RAF due to technical problems. http://imansolas.freeservers.com/Aces/Greeks%20in%20Spitfires.html

and since the serial is also found here:
http://koti.welho.com/msolanak/spitregist.html
I decided to try and find more information

Thanks for that Fluffy, nice and simple ,just like me!
Is that what sets the diffrent marks of Merlin apart then ,gearbox ratios, blowers etc, is this because they are required to power a slower/faster type of aircraft ,so that the basic block stays the same but it revs at different speeds or torques!
I will have to ask the guys in Hangar 7 when I go again, it is only in the last few weeks that I found out that propellers are shaped like wings, thicker on one edge rather than the other so that they are always pulling through the air, in thirty odd years of being interested in aircraft I never new that. 😮
Cheers,Alan.

TB & TE’s engines were Packard Merlin 266 as fitted to Mk XVI a/c when TB’s engine was overhauled in 1999 I believe the intercooler, supercharger and reduction gear were changed to make it into a Merlin 225. Since then it has done 500 hrs and is again being overhauled but back to a 266. Hope this helps as I’m airframes not engines so I might be wrong

Fluffy, could you explain what had to happen to ‘TE’s engine to make it a 266 please, is it a case of changing ancillaries to make it a different mark or is it more mechanical?
Cheers, Alan.

Completely stripped down means down to frames, skins etc…

Auwch 🙁 sad end. Especially when you consider they can make frames from scratch. 🙁 Thanks for the info!

Completely stripped down means down to frames, skins etc…

Thanks Fluffy, I understand the stripping of the parts, but after that, there should be a bare fuselage and/or wings remaining, no? I’m wondering what happened to that.

No not going to a scrap dealer. TB382 & TE311 came to BBMF in 1999 to be used for spares for the other Spitfires. TB382 has been completely stripped down and no longer exists as a complete airframe. TE311 was assessed and is being slowly rebuilt, hopefully to fly again. TB’s engine has been in the Lanc for the last 5 yrs and is now on overhaul and will come back to BBMF as a 266 to go into MK356 plus a lot more components have been overhauled to be used when required. Hope this answers your question.

TB382 SOC? What’s gonna happen to it? Scrap dealer?

Anyone?

TB382 SOC? What’s gonna happen to it? Scrap dealer?

Does anyone have info regarding TE356 (N356TE) and its service the the RHAF?

TE356: -Are you sure it had service with the Greek Air Force? 🙁

TE346, TE350 – yes.

Mark

Does anyone have info regarding TE356 (N356TE) and its service the the RHAF?

TB382 … status presently ‘disappeared’.

… taken on by the BBMF, TB382 has become spares for the fleet and was struck off charge.

🙁

Thanks for your help Mike.