Hello friends
Am I right, that there were used mainly three kind of starter covers: 1.) the Supermarine ones with the plate including engraving at the sides “engine starter” and “boost coil”. 2.) The 5C/1267 with the engraving on the covers “engine starting” or “boost coil” and the RIF 388 with the king´s crown and A.M. markings on the cover?
I have just got covers which are identically to the supermarine version but with the engraving “starter motor” instead of “engine starter” as to be seen on most of the Spit panel pictures. I ask myself, why they used “motor” on my cover? Does anyone has an explanation for that variation?
Thanks and kind regards,
Herbert
By: 682al - 26th February 2004 at 15:36
Hi Herbert,
I recall someone making up a batch of replica button guards some years ago. I think they used or adapted some parts from a standard 5d/*** socket, as used on bomb carriers etc. The items are very similar if not identical.
I had no need for one at the time but, from what I remember, they were quite well done and sold out quickly.
I don’t know whether yours is one of these, and I can’t explain why the lettering may differ from a standard, Supermarine manufactured plate.
As Mark 12 has pointed out, there are several components to the unit, so I guess you could dismantle it and replace the engraved plate with a properly worded one?
Regards!
By: Whitley_Project - 26th February 2004 at 15:31
I had some of these a while ago and they didn’t all have numbers on the back!
By: Mark12 - 26th February 2004 at 15:30
Puukka,
They don’t look like replicas.
How ‘fresh’ are the plates?
Can we see an image of the reverse?
If rivetted to the standard push button guard, is perhaps the number concealed at the interface?
Mark
By: Puukka - 26th February 2004 at 14:36
Since there is no number and the plates are mount with rivets to the flap covers I guess they are nice replicas. Still I wonder who can´t live with “engine”. I don´t think this was an error by the producer of the replicas.
By: Mark12 - 26th February 2004 at 13:31
Nothing strange here.
The area you are talking of here is made up of three different components.
1) A standard push button switch and there are several types that are all externally similar. Push to open, push to close, single pole, dual pole etc.
2) A standard switch guard of which there are several styles from different suppliers.
3) An engraved plate indicating usage. This plate in all probability is of Supermarine manufacure and as such will have a drg number etched to it with 300**** on it
These three item nest together and are attached to the Spitfire instrument panel with four 6BA fixings.
Here is the relevant area on from the Mk V Pilots Notes.
Out of interest please check the plates for numbers.
Mark
By: Bruce - 26th February 2004 at 13:27
Those covers are quite rare, and not often seen even in restored Spitfires. It is more usual to use the post war type, which have ‘Engine Starting’ on the flap.
I suspect that your are modern repro, bu they are nice nonetheless!
Bruce
By: Puukka - 26th February 2004 at 12:42
Well, these type of flap covers were originally produced by Supermarine and only to be seen in Spitfires. I don´t know, if mine are copies but at least they look like new. In some pictures of wartime US fighters I also saw “engine” at the starters. So I wonder who is using “motor” instead of “engine”. The only idea was about export Spits for Canada, USA, South Africa,… but no confirmation yet.
Herbert
By: DazDaMan - 26th February 2004 at 12:31
Spit bits made in the States?
Is it a newly-made part? (Might explain the American idea)
By: mike currill - 26th February 2004 at 12:22
Any possibility it is American?
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February 24, 2004 at 6:51 pm