Defiant aerial

[Unkempt]

The Defiant has an odd retractable aerial on its underside, presumably so it didn't get shot off by trigger-happy turretteers. Does anyone know if it had aerial wire strung between that and the front one between the undercarriage when on the ground? It seems to me that it should have, and I can see it on some drawings and models, but I can't see any wire in any photos.

For example, it's on drawings here: http://www.ipmsstockholm.se/home/frederick-hughes-and-the-boulton-paul-defiant/

But I can't see it in this photo:

http://www.atsx91.dsl.pipex.com/images/Eric_Barwell_Defiant.jpg

Opinions?

[john224]

If you look on the photo at high magnification you can just see a fine line on the grass in line with the rear mast, and just in front of the mast is a dot that looks like the insulator you can see in the drawings. I think the wire is there, it's just so fine that you can't easily see it.

[stever219]

The rear aerial mast retracted otherwise the aeroplane would have needed a four foot long tail wheel leg, rather than avoiding self-inflicted combat damage.

[Fatboydim]

The Defiant has an odd retractable aerial on its underside, presumably so it didn't get shot off by trigger-happy turretteers. Does anyone know if it had aerial wire strung between that and the front one between the undercarriage when on the ground? It seems to me that it should have, and I can see it on some drawings and models, but I can't see any wire in any photos.

For example, it's on drawings here: http://www.ipmsstockholm.se/home/frederick-hughes-and-the-boulton-paul-defiant/

But I can't see it in this photo:

http://www.atsx91.dsl.pipex.com/images/Eric_Barwell_Defiant.jpg

Opinions?

Does this photo help?

[Unkempt]

Well, I'm convinced. The EZ-line is going on. Thanks chaps.