…Have they fitted the Spitfire XIX (?) in the USA with a contra rotating prop? The BBMF maanaged to adapt an ex Shackletin Griffon for PM631 (or was it the other XIX they had?) in the 80’s so why could’nt these people? If you are going to spend money doing up a Spitfire and flying it, at least do it properly… There seems to be a lot of people in the USA who mess around with these aircraft in various ways such as gordy/improper paint schemes and silly mods.
When will it all end?
Paul.
By: Paul Cushion - 9th March 2002 at 10:04
RE: Steve Hinton replies
Ok Fair enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paul.
By: Bob - 7th March 2002 at 14:27
RE: Why on earth……….?
>Why don’t you ask Steve Hinton ?
Well I did!!
>He lurks on the Warbird Information Exchange forum and was
>there last week asking about the correct shade of PR Blue
>for the Spit.
Yes he does ‘lurk’ there!!
>http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/vafrefugees/wix1msgboard.mv?parm_f…
>
>Go on, ask him, I love to see a good argument develop
>between a warbird owner/restorer and one of us lowly
>enthusiasts, should be fun to watch !
No argument, a good reply, for which I’m grateful.
>If you can’t reach him on the above forum then try the
>Planes Of Fame forum as he’s always there as well, and/or
>Chris Fahey.
>
>BTW, the RNHF had one of the new reduction gears for the
>Firefly.
Bob🙂
By: IndianaTony - 7th March 2002 at 10:58
Steve Hinton replies
….and tells you why, and what they expect from the aircraft here…..
http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/vafrefugees/wix1msgboard.mv?parm_f…
By: neilly - 6th March 2002 at 20:23
RE: Why on earth……….?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-03-02 AT 08:25 PM (GMT)]It’s amazing what you come across when your’e looking for something else! I just come across 2 pictures, one of a Spitfire F21, LA 215, with contra rotating props. The delivery dates for this batch was July 44 to Jan ’46. The second is of a Tempest III with a R-R Griffon, LA 610, again with contra rotating props. This aircraft later became the Fury prototype. No dates are given for this aeroplane. Thought this might be of interest.
Neilly
By: Seafuryfan - 6th March 2002 at 20:21
RE: Why on earth……….?
Until the FR47 comes on line, it’ll be great to see this beauty in the air – get’s my vote. Especially if the engineering is reversible.
By: paulmcmillan - 6th March 2002 at 09:48
RE: Why on earth……….?
see:
http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/vafrefugees/wix1msgboard.mv?parm_f…
Your questions/concerned will be answered!
By: Christer - 6th March 2002 at 09:23
RE: Why on earth……….?
I think that the BBMF (RAF) have leaned quite heavily on Rolls Royce to get that assistance. Today RR have no responsibility for any of the piston engines, at least not to my knowledge, since the designs are more than 20(?) years old.
A modification to the Griffon 58 would set them back to square one regarding application of liability laws. If something should happen, then the lawyers would come down on RR like a ton of bricks.
The question mark after 20 means that I don´t remember the exact legislation, Clinton did limit it from “for ever” to a specified number of years though.
So, if you want to fit the Griffon 58 you´ll have to accept the contraprops.
Thats just my 10 euro cents worth,
Christer
By: Bob - 5th March 2002 at 20:18
RE: Why on earth……….?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 05-03-02 AT 09:16 PM (GMT)]Perhaps they saw the pics of a Seafire Mk45 and thought well it’s a Spit!!! We have the engine lets just shove it in!
Just seen the article and notice in the same piece that the James Smith Seafire FR.47 is being restored at Ezell Aviation. Perhaps they were just trying to see if it would fit!!!
By: stringbag - 5th March 2002 at 20:15
RE: Why on earth……….?
The RNHF Firefly also has one such gearbox fitted to its ex-Shack Griffin powerplant.
By: David J Burke - 5th March 2002 at 20:00
RE: Why on earth……….?
The conversion of the Shackleton powerplant to power the PR.XIX was carried out by R.R at Filton from memory and cost a fabulous amount of money to achieve. Needless to say a lot of this work was carried out as a PR exercise and not a commercial job.
I will be interested to see how the weight and balance works out with the contra prop unit on the XIX – maybe we will see more operators trying out this arrangement.
By: P9306 - 5th March 2002 at 19:24
RE: Why on earth……….?
Why don’t you ask Steve Hinton ?
He lurks on the Warbird Information Exchange forum and was there last week asking about the correct shade of PR Blue for the Spit.
http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/vafrefugees/wix1msgboard.mv?parm_f…
Go on, ask him, I love to see a good argument develop between a warbird owner/restorer and one of us lowly enthusiasts, should be fun to watch !
If you can’t reach him on the above forum then try the Planes Of Fame forum as he’s always there as well, and/or Chris Fahey.
BTW, the RNHF had one of the new reduction gears for the Firefly.
By: tonydyer - 5th March 2002 at 18:47
RE: Why on earth……….?
You are right Sadsack, BBMF developed a new reduction gear housing casting with Rolls Royce. ISTR that only 4 or 5 units were made. As you can imagine, BBMF had 3 x Mk XIX’s so that would use up three. I think Rolls kept two. Now they have an ex BBMF XIX, all are needed? Pity more are not available as Griffon 58’s are in plentiful supply.
By: SADSACK - 5th March 2002 at 18:31
RE: Why on earth……….?
I would guess because the BBMF spent YEARS working it out, probably at great cost, they did it in association with BAE. Sombody whos just bought a spit that he will probably sell in a few years isnt going to have that sort of dedication.
By: Bluebird Mike - 5th March 2002 at 18:27
RE: Why on earth……….?
I’m not familiar with it myself, but maybe it was done that way as some kind of a racer? The Yanks love messing about with old planes like you say, just look at what they’ve done to some Mustangs!
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March 5, 2002 at 5:37 pm