Another begging requirement, sorry chaps……

1. I am shortly to begin skinning the fuselage….I notice that the BBMF MkII uses many mushroom heads, whereas MkIX’s built by HFL use many flush rivets. As my project is supposed to be stock MkII-V, anyone got any ideas as to a good compromise?

2. Does anyone have any drawings (or indeed static original parts!!) for the canopy rail stiffener brackets that go on frames 11 and 12?

3. I need to source suitable hard wearing paint for the fuselage suitable for a MkII-V’ish….any current restorers suggest suitable codes and suppliers?

Many thanx, the project is about 1 month behind schedule, it is vaguely MkII-V due to parts availability….that is why I am being vague. I would like to adopt a RCAF MkV scheme if I can.

regards

Tony

Hi Rocketeer, the riveting patterns on a MKII is the same as MKI, MKV & early MKIX’s. Basically from Fr5 to Fr10 above fillet fairing line are csk rivets, below fillet fairing are mush-head rivs. From Fr11 aft the vertical frames are 3/32 mush-heads except Fr19 which are 3/32 csk rivs. along the spine they are 3/32mush-heads.
The horizontal intercostals from Fr11 aft are 1/8th csk rivets, but you will have to dimple the skins & structure . Fr8 to Fr11 the horizontal stiffeners are csk 3/32 rivs, again skins & stucture are dimpled. Fr5 to Fr8 you can cut csk for 3/32 rivs. Fr5 side channels are 5/32 dia riv,again these are cut csk. Radio bay & battery bay doors are both 3/32 mush-head rivs. On the early MKs there were no doublers under the skin around the radio & battery bay door holes.
Hope this helps you Tony. As for the paint do you mean inside or out side?We use the same cockpit green & silver on the inside as HFL but couldnt get codes until monday.
Best of luck

Steve

did you ever buy your own Daz from that link I sent you !?

lovely looking aircraft, and (IMHO) shows why (IMHO) Griffon engined Spitfires have low backs, and Merlin high backs, it just seems right that way.

Hi ,not all griffon engined spits are low backs !!!

Steve

Hi all, I am surprised there are no comments on the paint job on P9374 as seen in the latest issue of flypast. Thought someone may have mentioned it. Looks good.

Steve.:)

Hi all, when i first posted this i had no idea of the route it would take. Thanks for your comments anyway.

Steve;)

No I havn’t bought it yet, maybe in the morning, anyone got a photo? I have to agree that the secrecy of Area 51 is bemusing. Why not have open days like the Sir Micheal Beetham Center at Cosford does

Hi spade grip, why do you find it bemusing that HFL are keeping quiet about the work they are doing ? This particular spit is for a customer, so client has the say as to what & whats not published . And like any other company working on live aircraft, just think about the health & saftey issues. We had similar problems where we had an open day, one man tripped over , his fault, cut his leg, them tryed to sue.

Steve

Hi All, another exellent job by Tony & the guys at hawkers. Nice looking plane.

Steve

Awful food in a grotty pub with some wonderful history behind it. If you have ever seen in the kitchens you wouldnt eat there again.

Hi all, If you had seen the bedrooms you wouldnt want to stay there either. Stayed a couple of times when working at HFL. Pulled plug from sink and everything in sink ended up in the bath !!! very pleasent !!!!

Steve

Thanx Fluffy, Steve and Ross…..this help is very useful (as you know!!). Have a great weekend.
cheers Tony

Hi Tony pleased i could help , & you have a good one too.

Steve