Peter Roberts

Ok, this one has me stumped. The Spitfire VI has a pressure bulkhead at the rear of the cockpit, but has points to allow wires to pass through (eg. control wires) I assumed this applied to the wires on the shoulder straps of the seat harness that anchor at the top of the fuselage behind the cockpit. But photos suggest that this isn't the case. Anyone with info on how these were anchored? Frame behind the seat? Any information on this appreciated, PR

Bobo, there were red and green (port and starboard) lights in the lower wing surfaces on the Mk VIII and the belly amber ID light was moved to a location further back in the fuselage. My apologies, I am not able to post plans to show this detail, but I am sure someone will be along to do so, or a Google search may give this info (?). Otherwise, I beleive they were similar in detail. PR Edit - oops, sorry, the Mk VIII also had shorter ailerons and fuel tanks in the wing roots. The Mk VIII had the 'C' wing as did the Mk IX - some IXs also had 'E' wings but I am not aware of any VIIIs having 'E' wings, so there would be differences with chutes and gun ports, etc there too

So in the photos of the Seafires, is that bare metal we are looking at, or grey primer? My eyes are having trouble discerning a difference between grey or metalic colour - could be either. The presence of grey primer would fit with the posts made by both Edgar and Graham (but my heart is voting for bare metal - visually more pleasing to me) PR

Thanks Anthony - yes, I think you're right. Didn't see it the first time around, but there is a very subtle line across the top of the wing. Well spotted! PR

Thanks Monty. So, does this mean they should be on every Mosquito wing? If so, the Tamiya kit looks like it will need them to be added, from the photos posted so far. Nice idea with the primer by the way, good tip. Thanks! PR

Mark, thank you for starting this one. Another question to add in, if I may, are the wing strengthening strips. When did these start? They look to be missing from the Tamiya kit - no big deal, fixed with some plastic card, but it would be nice to know when these were introduced onto the plane. PR

Thanks for compiling and posting these Troy - nice detail! PR

I am not able to access my notes this week, but my memory also prompts me re: the serial numbers. When these were overpainted in early 1940, they were re-applied to the fin in small characters (4"? or possibly 2"? Sorry, memory fails at present) I think they may also have been on the rudder, but those on the fin were obviously obliterated when the fin flash was eventually applied. Again, not sure if this applies to Deeres a/c PR

Nice job Tony - like what you've done with the roundel changes. Also noticed no crowbar on the door and gun heater tube on exhaust. Looks the part! Some of these VCs had the narrow bulge gun covers fitted too, but I believe this was later on in their service life, if they survived that long! PR

I'm planning a similar build for a Spitfire flown by Gordon Olive and finding a bit of a can of worms. One issue is the landing gear retraction mechanism - dose it retain the initial pump action mechanism or were they replaced by the more typical lever arrangement seen in Spitfires? These later type of mechanisms were coming into use around this time. Associated with the earlier type of undercarriage retraction mechanism is the fluid tank just visible at the rear of the cockpit, posted on an earlier discussion here. Then there is the aerial - early pole or later broader style. Pitot - early twin prong or replaced with later single prong? Liklely three blade prop, armoured windscreen, but early flat top canopy or bulged-top canopy? Gun ports - open or covered? With what? I noticed with Olives plane that the squadron codes have been changed and painted in a smaller font to the aircraft code letter too - not sure that this applies to Deeres Spitfire though. I don't have my research to hand so these are off the top of my head. Hopefully Edgar will be along shortly to clarify and correct me. PR

Graham, re; your comment that machine guns were perhaps not fitted to the cannon armed Mk I's, I do recall reading that pilots were forced to break off combat when the cannon jammed on their Mk I's. Whether they were left with no guns, or felt that four machine guns were inadequate, is unknown. Certainly I haven't seen mention made of them using machine guns when flying these planes and would think that when you are in a position to fire, mention would be made of having to use machine guns when the cannon jammed (?) Not hard evidence, I know, but perhaps adds more weight to this possibility. PR

Thanks Edgar! (and Jeff) PR

Excuse me for chiming in, but I am building a low back Mk XVI at present, and I note your comment Edgar. Am I right in thinking the low back XVI still had the same Sutton harness as earlier Marks, but different anchor points for the shoulder straps? Or have I missed something. (another OAM - old age moment) PR

my tuppence worth. I tend to agree with Tony. I don't think GO-C shows staining from exhaust. 1. The dark colour is too defined. It is not feathered at its edges as you usually see with exhaust staining. 2. Staining from exhausts is going to occur behind the exhaust outlets. This aircraft has staining ahead of the foremost exhaust outlet. The only other explanation I can think of is that this is paint, not staining. PR

Thank you Peter A. This is common then to the other parts illustrated in this post and further clarifies these markings. From the above it looks like the spinner, cowl panels, wings and aerial were removed from Spitfires and stencilled with yellow (1"?) characters giving the serial number of the plane they were taken from. (serial number on the armour plate is an interesting one) Thank you gentlemen for the wonderful information. Peter R

Thanks Edgar - I have been under the impression that pretty much ALL Spitfires were unique with their panels, especially the early versions. Peter, more interesting info around these serials. Can I ask, what are the panels at the top and bottom of post 14 please? PR

Peter, thank you! Up until now I think the general concensus was these details were in grey, probably MSG. Great info re yellow, and info that supports earlier posts. The photo of the armour plate is interesting. There is a photo of a Vc in Burma with the same detail (serial stencilled on the armour plate) but apparently in black (unless ortho film was used!) PR

Thank you gentlemen, appreciate the information and insights. PR

Mate, thank you. I wasn't aware of the numbers on the cowling, but had seen them on wing roots and aerials. When it came to shipping Spitfires, am I right in believing the tail planes were left on? I have seen the wings removed (and possibly the cowling panels?), and would imagine the prop was also removed (?) PR

Thanks Edgar. Given the procedural nature of British WW2 aircraft production I thought there may have been some sort of documentation for this. The serials appear to have been applied with a light grey paint (MSG?) Hard to tell from photos if it was a temporary paint, but they remained on the aircraft after assembly and were painted over where RAAF paint was used. These appear in places like the wing root and aerial - in the case of the wing root, partially covered when RAAF Earth Brown appears to have been applied.. I guess this leaves it open to modellers discretion... PR

I would recommend the Barracuda set myself - Roy knows his subject and has quality product. You can check them out on the Hannants site or buy them direct. PR

Some (if not all) Spitfire VIIIs delivered to Australa had their serial number stencilled on the exterior surface of some components. I presume this was to help with reassembly. Was there a drawing or instruction created giving details of where these stencils should be placed? PR

Thanks David. PR

The LCVPs seem to be a bit of both - naval and military (?) so I am posting this in both sections. I'm sure the moderators will be along soon if I have transgressed! I have purchased an Italeri 1/35 scale LCVP. My father drove these during the war from HMAS Kanimbla and I would like to build one of these craft. Can anyone help with what colour these were likely finished on the inside please? PR

I have purchased an Italeri 1/35 scale LCVP. My father drove these during the war from HMAS Kanimbla and I would like to build one of these craft. Can anyone help with what colour these were likely finished on the inside please? Also, any guides on what colours were used on the outside would be much appreciated - it appears Kanimbla had a three tone camouflage similar to the US ships, but I presume would have used RAN stocks (?). PR