Spitfire over Orpington. 11:00 hrs.
Discussion
At exactly the moment Big Ben struck eleven this morning, I heard the unmistakable sound of a Merlin Engine. From the sound, the pilot had just turned the wick up.
A few seconds later he came batting over my house at about 1000ft on a course of about 220 deg, immediately did a split arse turn turn to the East for about a mile, reversed course with a left turn and came rattling down our street.
The aeroplane was in D-Day trim and presumably had come from Duxford. All this took place during the two minute silence.
It appeared in the distance a few minutes later, presumably on its way to Biggin Hill.
A few seconds later he came batting over my house at about 1000ft on a course of about 220 deg, immediately did a split arse turn turn to the East for about a mile, reversed course with a left turn and came rattling down our street.
The aeroplane was in D-Day trim and presumably had come from Duxford. All this took place during the two minute silence.
It appeared in the distance a few minutes later, presumably on its way to Biggin Hill.
Eric Mc said:
TheDetailDoctor said:
We are lucky enough to be on the flight path for Filton airport, where they keep a Spitfire.
Thankfully it's excercised very regularly.
That's the Rolls Royce PRXIX, which is in D-Day stripes too. The PRXIX was Griffon rather than Merlin powered.Thankfully it's excercised very regularly.
She's lovely.
but having read this interesting piece, it seems you are right
http://freespace.virgin.net/john.dell/meandgr.htm
Basic fact No. 1 about Spitfires - they weren't all Merlin powered.
The first of the Griffon variants was the Mk XII.
There is a specific Spitfire thread running in here. Have a read of it - there are lots of usful "Spitfire Facts" on show.
The first of the Griffon variants was the Mk XII.
There is a specific Spitfire thread running in here. Have a read of it - there are lots of usful "Spitfire Facts" on show.
Edited by Eric Mc on Wednesday 11th November 14:45
Dr Jekyll said:
Eric Mc said:
The first of the Griffon variants was the Mk XII.
Mk IV surely?The prototype Griffon Spitfire was initially referred to as the IV. As far as I can see only one example was ever built. Following some modifications, the production version was redesignated XII.
Mk XII (type 366)
The Mk XII was the first Spitfire powered by a Griffon engine to go into service. The first of 100 Supermarine built production aircraft started appearing in October 1942; two RAF squadrons in total were equipped with the XII. Mk XIIs were manufactured from Mk VC and Mk VIII airframes: early production aircraft had the fixed tail wheels, Dunlop AH2061 pattern "five spoke" mainwheels and small elevator balances. They had a single 85 gal main fuel tank, giving a short range of little over 380 miles (610 km) on internal fuel. All were fitted with the larger, pointed tip rudder. The last 45 or so Mk XIIs, were based on Mk VIIIs with two wing fuel tanks, each containing a maximum fuel load of 14 gal, and featured the larger horn balances, retractable tailwheel and undercarriage legs with torque-links, "dished" leg fairings and the stronger Dunlop AH10019 four spoke wheels. The wheels were occasionally fitted with disc-style covers. A later model IFF was fitted, replacing the aerials from the tailplane tip to fuselage with a rod aerial under the starboard wing. Another important feature of the Griffon engine Spitfires was the entirely flush-riveted finish which was progressively introduced on all Spitfires.[15]
Dr Jekyll said:
Mk IV surely?
Technically that's correct, although the MkIV was only ever a prototype which never entered service and which was renamed MkXX to avoid confusion with the PR MkVI.The MkIV was developed into the MkXII which was the first Griffon Spitfire to see service - initially with 41(F)Sqn.
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