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Mk1

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March 31, 2025 at 3:20 pm in reply to: Ski-equipped aircraft #1157407

Mk1
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Ski-equipped aircraft

Gents:
The late Don Luscombe developed a an ingenious set of retractable/fully faired skis for the P-51 which I have a photo of somewhere. They were tested in Alaska I believe and worked well. I will post a photo if I can find it on my other computer.
Mk1

March 31, 2025 at 1:53 pm in reply to: Bob Stanford Tuck #1139712

Mk1
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Bob Stanford Tuck

Having met Herr Galland on a couple of occasions, I can confirm that is definitely not him in the photo with Tuck. Mk.1

March 31, 2025 at 1:23 pm in reply to: Dangerous instruments again (yes I know) #1133705

Mk1
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Dangerous instruments again (yes I know)

Can any of you fellows with expertise in instruments tell me if any of the instruments pictured in the attached photo of my replica Spit blind flying panel are likely to be radioactive? I believe the gyro horizon is actually from a real Spitfire (Mk unknown) and was purchased surplus from Wag-Aero many moons ago. The hockey puck style directional gyro is a magnesium-bodied Jack & Hinds and could be wartime vintage. It came out of my brother’s 1949 Luscombe 8F. I am hoping to replace the “less-than-authentic looking” Cessna turn coordinator with one of the standard British 2-needle turn and slip indicators if I can locate one. Perhaps someone on the forum can help me out in this regard.

Thanks to any and all for any assistance/expertise offered. TW

March 31, 2025 at 1:22 pm in reply to: Dangerous instruments again (yes I know) #1133539

Mk1
Participant

Dangerous instruments again (yes I know)

Hello Peter:
Thanks for the reply. Attached is a color photo although I’m afraid it may not be high enough resolution. I had size-reduced it prior to sending it here to my work computer. None of the markings on any of the instruments appear overly brown as my memory serves me (from last Saturday). The luminous markings on the gyro horizon are however more of a bone white or slightly creamy colour. This could be simple “yellowing” of the paint could it not, as is common with nearly all old instruments regardless of their radioactive constituents? Does the horizon look genuine Spit to you?

Regards, TW

March 31, 2025 at 1:22 pm in reply to: Dangerous instruments again (yes I know) #1133417

Mk1
Participant

Dangerous instruments again (yes I know)

I will try to get numbers off of the instruments albeit they are all in the back I suspect and very difficult to see. Regardless, the altimeter is going to have to be either overhauled or replaced as it leaks and will not work properly with the encoder/transponder. My challenge will be finding one with the adjusting knob in the 7 o’clock position. All of the newer ones seem to be in the 6 o’clock position.

March 31, 2025 at 12:44 pm in reply to: Dangerous instruments again (yes I know) #1125809

Mk1
Participant

Much better..
That Altimeter looks definately suspect as it has the tell tale color of the numbers and hands. Do you have a part number for the Horizon indicator?
The Altimeter looks a little like a MK.XIV 6A/577 but it does not have the smaller lower scale but appears to be ww2 vintage.
The Horizon indicator could be a MK.1B(6A1519) and should have a flourescent face(White lettering)

Hello Peter:
I checked my suspect instruments. The artificial horizon is indeed a Mk.1B (labled in stamped print on top rim of dail face)and does not appear to have any brownish tint or black specs on the luminous areas. Do you think this one is safe? The altimeter is as you said, highly suspect, with some cocoa-coloured areas (on the 2, 4, 6, 8 digits and tips of pointers only, other digits/areas not cocoa coloured). The long (100 ft.) pointer even had a some of the black veins/flecking in it. It is a US Navy instrument and the serial number starts with a 43- therefore I think it may be a bad actor. It was however serviced in Vancouver by Western Airmotive in 1960 or 68 (service sticker is flaked) so do you think it could actually be hot? Regardless, I have removed it (as it leaks when connected to the encoder) and a new replacement is now on order. Any suggestions as to how/where I should dispose of the old one? Thanks very kindly for your knowledgeable input sir. Regards, TW

January 12, 2017 at 8:32 pm in reply to: Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter at East Fortune #816742

Mk1
Participant

Mr. Whitton:
A beautiful piece of work your Strutter is, clearly built from the original plans with a radial vs. rotary powerplant for reliability. The one we have at the Great War Flying Museum in Brampton, Ontario, Canada incorporates a steel tube fuselage and a Continental O-670 (tank engine) for power. It is a nice flyer and has been a great revenue generator for the museum. Best of luck finding a flying home for her. Mk.1
[ATTACH=CONFIG]250647[/ATTACH]

November 12, 2012 at 3:44 am in reply to: Wooden Spitfire wings? #975906

Mk1
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Mine is all made of wood (except cowls, stabilizer/elevator and fuselage skins). Mk1

June 29, 2012 at 1:51 pm in reply to: Mk1 Spitfire Build – Help Needed #976689

Mk1
Participant

Keep plugging AA, it can be done! My (flying) 70% replica Mk1 took 2 fellows 24 years and 12,000 hrs to build from scratch with only the Guillows balsa model plans to work from, long before the days of CADD and laser cutting. I then spent another 6 years and 3,000 hrs modifying, upgrading, restoring and refinishing it. If you keep it simple and avoid fabrication of the difficult working parts (eg. undercarriage pintles etc.) you will have a chance with a group of keen students however doing it for £1000 will indeed be your biggest challenge.
Best of luck AA and keep us all posted with progress photos, Mk.1

June 6, 2012 at 1:39 pm in reply to: On board with the BBMF #1005640

Mk1
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Congrats from the colonies British comrades. The jubilee flypast looked pretty fine on the TV from the distant outpost of Calgary. The Queen still means something to many of us out here and seeing her acknowledge the role the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster played in the salvation of the Commonwealth certainly gives credence to the present day monarchy. Its good to know that Prince Charles and Prince William are of the same mindset.
Best regards, Mk1

March 16, 2012 at 3:03 pm in reply to: Bob Jen's Mosquito VR796 Update #1028883

Mk1
Participant

Sorry Peter, have it now. Mk.1

March 16, 2012 at 3:03 pm in reply to: Bob Jen's Mosquito VR796 Update #1019875

Mk1
Participant

Sorry Peter, have it now. Mk.1

March 16, 2012 at 3:01 pm in reply to: Bob Jen's Mosquito VR796 Update #1028898

Mk1
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Link still not appearing

March 16, 2012 at 3:01 pm in reply to: Bob Jen's Mosquito VR796 Update #1019901

Mk1
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Link still not appearing

December 20, 2011 at 6:20 pm in reply to: Message from OC BBMF #1053255

Mk1
Participant

Message from Calgary’s (scale) BBMF

Merry Christmas to all the Forumites….and hats off to the BBMF!!!
A spectacular season gentlemen. We in the western wilds of Canada have to be content with our scaled replica Spits. Mk.1 C-FAMY (pictured on my card) is currently down for engine overhaul but will be flying again in the spring of 2012.
Safe flying to all of you across the pond, Mk.1 in Calgary
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