Hello redhillwings,
I’ve never posted on this site before so please excuse my ignorance of previous posts. I found this site whilst researching instrument details for the restoration of the cockpit on EE 853, a Mk VC spitfire that served with the RAAF in PNG. Since then I have embarked on a drawing of the Mk VIII panel using info from the original post in this thread as well as an excellent photo of the panel in MV 239 prior to its restoration. the two panels are remarkably similar with the exception of the tail wheel position indicator lamp that’s missing on your panel (possibly it was not considered necessary at the time of production).
The Mk VIII panel is certainly a vast improvement on the earlier panels. The split panel arrangement would be a delight to remove compared with the Mk V. To remove the panel from EE 853 took some serious dismantling of other cockpit equipment as the panel cannot be moved with the throttle quadrant etc in place, but this would not be an issue with the split panel. If I could ask for help please, would it be possible to obtain a tracing of this panel to make sure my mounting bolt holes are placed correctly please? Does anyone know the text on the label near the top centre, also the text on the tail wheel position indicator label? Also what is the bottom left indicator lamp hole for?
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