Unpainted 190’s
Interesting point in Vic’s account of his final action was that the German fighters (Fw 190’s) had no camouflage, just ‘aluminium cladding’. He thought that they must be newly manufactured and there was no time to paint them.
Anyone come across this before? It seems possible considering the chaotic state of the German production facilities at that time.
Is that one control for each set or one for both?
I believe that both sets of blades vary pitch in unison and all six blades are therefor always at the same pitch – ie: no seperate controls for each set.
On the technical side, can anyone tell me how the pitch works on the blades? Does the prop lever change all the blade angles simultaneously or is there something more complex happening between the two sets?
It probably involves a number of mice running on wheels inside the spinner 😀 .
Seriously – I understand both sets of blades have variable pitch control which works in a similar way to a single prop. There is probably a very good technical diagram which someone could post?
BTW – one feature is the fact that the two props are slightly different diameters, only a few inches difference. There was some unpleasant characteristics if they were all the same lengths. The props on 441 are of course cut-down Shack props.
Ah yes I remember that photo now. Looks like he even purchased a Charles Church house to go with the Spitfire 😀
Yes – fantastic shots. Thank you very much for posting these, absolutely wonderful aeroplane.
Cheeky request – having seen some lovely photos of 441 I cannot recall any that show her topside (upper wing surfaces) in flight. Probably tricky to get such a photo but if you get the chance? 🙂
Many thanks again!!
All very interesting comments. I was fortunate enough to be a guest and therfore witnessed the proceedings from an entirely different perspective. After having a drink or two in the pub in Pimlico Road where Ray found himself after his parachute landing, chatting to friends and enjoying a very pleasant hour with a Battle of Britain Hurricane pilot we adjourned to the dig site and were amazed to watch large and recognizable chunks of Hurricane being pulled out of the hole in front of our eyes. I only spoke to Steve V for a moment but it was very obvious that it was the pinacle of all his archaeology activities so well done to him.
Perhaps we were lucky to have missed the interviews and presentation – I would like to to see it now I have read about how it came across.
PS: Melvyn – I did see a lot of copies of your book that night!
I can see the external tank on the stbd wing.
loose women in your cockpit.
I rarely fly without one 🙂
VP441 obviously has a wonderful home – thank you for posting these photographs 🙂
I understand a lot of the airframe wreckage was removed for access to repair the damaged underground services, but the deeply embedded engine remains.
Thanks Steve, maybe someone can update us on the current situation with these artefacts?
It seems pretty certain that there are still a few treasures out there which are yet to be discovered. Recent years have seen the PNG P47’s, the Frankfurt engine cache, the complete FW190 under a hangar, to name but a few.
Steve, could you kindly remind me of the details of the latter two cases please?
I know it’s only a little thing, but the roundels on her still bug me somewhat. How difficult would it be to correct them? Surely a quick visit from Vintage Fabrics would rectify the inaccuracy. (Yes i know it has been covered before, But surely it wouldn’t be that troublesome)
Quite straight forward really, just requires the will to instigate the job. It could easily be done in a weekend.
Bring her to Oshkosh please!!!!!!
various people who give up their time to display all these wonderful aircraft for US
Some of them have to dragged kicking and screaming and forcibly strapped in to their Spitfires 😀