Kallisti Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Does anyone have any photos or diagrams of whats inside the rear inspection panel on the starboard side of the Spitfire fuselage? I believe from what I've found so far is that this gave access to the battery for the 12v electrical system, but I'm looking for more detailed images of this part of the aircraft. All help gratefully received - this is in preparation for the next phase of my "Aircraft my Father Fixed" project, a 1:32 Tamiya Spitfire IX in 81 Sqn colours from Tunisia in 1943. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 One of the (if not the) best sources is the Wings & Wheels Publications' "Special Museum Line no.26" on the "Spitfire LF. Mk. IX in detail," which has several photos of that area. ISBN 80-86416-25-9. Edgar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kallisti Posted December 20, 2013 Author Share Posted December 20, 2013 Thanks for the suggestion but I can't seem to find a copy of that book available at a reasonable price, any other suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 I 'think' that the Airfix book on building the 1/24 Spitfire has a photo of one of the BoB machines with the panel open. I'll check tomorrow. Trevor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kallisti Posted December 23, 2013 Author Share Posted December 23, 2013 Bump! Anyone able to help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richdlc Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I have the Monforton book - will try and get some images scanned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miggers Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 How about an e-mail to the BBMF? They have a IX,MK356. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 Unfortunately my PSL Spitfire book has gone AWOL. I'll keep looking. Trevor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kallisti Posted December 24, 2013 Author Share Posted December 24, 2013 Thanks for your suggestions guys, its really appreciated - I promise to start posting the results of this research soon... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kallisti Posted December 24, 2013 Author Share Posted December 24, 2013 (edited) Well mark that down to one small measure of success, thanks to suggestions and richdlc mentioning it I've sought out the Monforton book, but couldn't find it in print but was able to get an e-book PDF version from here: http://www.monfortonpress.com/ which has 2 1/2 pages devoted to this very thing! Sadly the PDF blocks being able to print, however it can't block being able to take a screen capture and printing that So now I have a set of diagrams and photos of the space behind the battery panel. Sadly I don't have anything yet from when there was a battery there. The Monforton book uses restored and rebuilt aircraft for its references, so I still don't know what the battery looked like. However, the old 1:24 Airfix Spitfires did have a small battery part that fitted behind the pilot in the middle of the part that comprised the lower wing So maybe I can use this part (I picked up a cheap 1:24 Spitfire Vb from Very last week) to design a 1:32 scale version and add some wires etc that lead back into the main fuselage to give it the impression of being connected up. What is really useful from these photos is it shows the ribbing and the control wires to the tail, so I can have a go at reproducing them. Thanks to everyone so far! Edit: Now the postman has just delivered my copy of the PSL Spitfire book I picked up on Amazon and ther eon page 69 is another lovely shot, however its for the earlier marks so doesn't have a battery inside either. Ah well... Edited December 24, 2013 by Kallisti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 The battery (aka "accumulator") was set in its own housing; unfortunately I don't have a drawing (36136 sheet 11,) but it's available from the RAF Museum's library. From a partial view, in a photo in Monforton's book, it appears to have been basically a framework, but it certainly had a lid, probably to ensure that nothing could short out the terminals, and wiring looms exiting at each top end. Edgar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kallisti Posted December 24, 2013 Author Share Posted December 24, 2013 Sure you aren't confusing it with the radio hatch in Monforton's book? The pictures I've found show the tray for the battery but no battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 Sure you aren't confusing it with the radio hatch in Monforton's book?Well, considering that the photo caption says,"View looking forward through the rear battery hatch," it's possible to see the radio tray and aerial mast support in the far distance, and the framework is in the bottom left corner, I don't think so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kallisti Posted December 24, 2013 Author Share Posted December 24, 2013 Ahh found it, page 2.16. There seems to be some kind of structure in the foreground which has slots to support the control wires.Its a shame the previous photo doesn't show anything very clearly. Oh well I suppose if there is this little information about it, very few people will be able to criticise me for getting anything wrong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Hi try this google 'spitfire cutaway drawing' this came up near the top of the image results, looks like it will give enough for cable runs and accumulator. Perhaps a more Spitfire knowledgeable member can comment on it's accuracy. I know it's an XI, but would those details be different? AFAIK the cables would be the same, don't about the accumulator? If you click on it it gets a lot bigger though HTH T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 The Haynes Spitfire manual may be of help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kallisti Posted December 25, 2013 Author Share Posted December 25, 2013 Got Haynes manual butit wasn't much use for this question and that cut-away is the first thing I found that referenced a battery there. The drawing does seem to indicate a cover of some sort with bolts/tie downs to keep it secure. No sign of wiring however, but does show the control lines well. Thanks for the suggestions however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 this came up near the top of the image results, looks like it will give enough for cable runs and accumulator. Perhaps a more Spitfire knowledgeable member can comment on it's accuracy. I know it's an XI, but would those details be different? AFAIK the cables would be the same, don't about the accumulator? Actually, Troy, the cable runs ARE different (or at least should be). They had to be re-routed in order to make room for the cameras. (Assuming, of course, that you're speaking of control cables, and not electrical cables aka "wires"). Merry Christmas! bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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