modeling Spitfire ML407 - need some help!

[PaulR]

Hi all,

I am working on a 1/48th Hasegawa Spitfire mk9 with the aeroclub fuselage fix, and I want to do ML407, the first allied a/c to shoot down a German plane on D-Day. I have the aeromaster decals for it, but I am having trouble with figuring out if she had a C or E wing. References vary and to make things more confusing, some references show an E wing (i.e. short cannon barrels outboard/.50 cal machine gun inboard) with the red doped patches for the machine guns on the outer wings, which I thought only C wings had. Did some C wings get a field modification to E standard?

Also, would she have had spoked wheels or wheels with hubs? And do I need to replace the Hasegawa spinner/prop with aftermarket?

Anyway, any comments from those in the know would be greatly appreciated

Paul

[The original Kit Builder]

Just to muddy the waters a bit, the official history has it that ML407 was built as a LFMkIX at Castle Bromwich in 1944. This should mean that it was built with clipped wing tips and a Merlin 76. As far as I know, the correct wing would be the E wing.

ML407 was converted to a two seater, by Vickers as the type 509, as one of 6 for the Irish Air Corps. An additional 3 were built for the Dutch, with 2 more bought by India. Five of the original Irish two seaters are still airworthy, including the second aircraft bought by Nick Grace to provide spares for 407.

If it is the case that ML407 was built as a LF Mk IXe, it seems likely that the engine and wings were replaced by Vickers as part of the conversion, but the history isn't that clear.

[yeehah1]

26-02-08

Go here... http://www.ml407.co.uk/pages/main.html

and buy this http://www.ml407.co.uk/pages/bookmore.html

I bought this book ages ago as I built the very same kit as you did...built her as she was on D-Day and then using the Brigade Models 1/48 conversion, built her as an Irish Air Corps machine. The book ahs all the info you want, loads of pics and I just can't put my hands on it right now. Plus, my scanner is broken

Best wishes, it's a great project...

Liam

[Edgar]

It's a common misconception that LF always means clipped wings, but, on the IX, it stood for the rating of the engine, nothing more. ML407 was a IXC, with standard wings. Many photos of IXs, that I've seen, have the wheels with hub covers fitted; nominally these were for snow conditions, but seem to have been anti-mud, as well.

Edgar

Edited February 26, 2008 by Edgar

[The original Kit Builder]

From Kiwi Aircraft Images.

# LF Mk.IXe ML407 (CBAF-8463) was taken on charge by the RAF at 33 MU Lynham on April 23 1944. Issued to 485(NZ) Squadron on April 30. Also served with 341, 308, 349, 345, and 332 Squadrons. It was placed in storage with 29 MU on September 27, 1945. On July 19 1950 the aircraft was passed to Vickers. Registered as G-15-175, it was rebuilt as one of six type 509 (T Mk.IX) two-seat trainers for the Irish Air Corp. The remodelled aircraft was first flown on July 24, 1951. Delivered on July 30, the aircraft was serialled '162'. The aircraft made its last service flight on July 8 1960, and became an instructional airframe. It was stored disassembled at Baldonnel from 1962 to 1968 when it was sold on March 4 to N.Samuelson for use in the movie "Battle of Britain" (although it did not appear). The aircraft was sold in 1970 to Sir William Roberts and moved to Shoreham, from where it moved several times before it became part of the Strathallan Collection. The aircraft remained in storage in a dissaembled state. It was acquired by Nick Grace for restoration on August 9 1979 and registered as G-LFIX on February 1 1980. The first post-restoration flight did not occur however until April 16 1985 at St.Merryn, Cornwall. Chris Horsley took a share in the aircraft and it was based at Middle Wallop and then Eastleigh. After Nick Grace's untimely death in a car accident in October 1988, his wife Carolyn has operated the aircraft (as the sole owner since 1989). Today the aircraft is based at Duxford where it flies in 485(NZ) Squadron colours as OU-V. (illustrated in special section at bottom of page)

The photo is of the aircraft as it is today.

And from the Royal Gunpowder Mills website regarding the Grace Spitfire Special Event May 2006.

The Grace Spitfire ML 407 was built at Castle Bromwich in early 1944 as a single seat LF Mark IX fighter equipped with one .5-inch Browning machine gun and one 20mm cannon per wing and served in the front line of battle throughout the last twelve months of World War II. This Spitfire, which recently appeared on national TV in the acclaimed series ‘Spitfire Ace’, has a remarkable wartime history.

ML407 was delivered on the 29th April 1944 by the acclaimed woman pilot, Jackie Moggridge of the ATA to 485 (New Zealand Squadron) at Selsey for Flying Officer Johnnie Houlton DFC. ML407 went straight into action. On D-Day Johnnie Houlton in ML407 (code OU-V) was given Ministry accreditation for having shot down the first enemy aircraft a Junkers 88 over the Normandy beach head and a ½ share in a second JU 88 spotted in the same area and it is painted in the full D-Day scheme today.

ML 407 did a total of 176 operational sorties, a large number being ground attack, amassing over 200 combat hours whilst in the 2nd Tactical Air Force (TAF) going from 485 New Zealand Squadron to 341 Free French, 308 Polish, 349 Belgian, 345 Free French, 332 Norwegian Squadrons returning to 485 New Zealand Squadron at the cessation of hostilities with a total score of 3 ¼ enemy aircraft destroyed and one damaged.

My bold text.

Edited February 26, 2008 by Kit builder

[Miggers]

Go here:

http://www.ml407.co.uk/

and ask Caroline herself.She usually is very helpful in answering questions about her aeroplane.

BTW,turn your speakers up loud as you go onto the site.

Mark

[PaulR]

Many thanks for all the helpful and very detailed replies - it is very much appreciated. I hope somebody posts a question I can help with!

I am particularly interested in ML407 as I hope one day to fly in her. I went on the waiting list aout 6 years ago, so fingers crossed it'll happen sometime soon!

Regards to all,Paul.

[Edgar]

The argument over armament is fairly academic, since the panel lines, for the "C" & "E" wings were identical; Squadrons could (and did) change the configuration. The "swap-over," for the "E" armament, seems to have happened because it was easier to cock the .5, when it was in the forward position; armourers tended to skin their knuckles against the rear of the bay, otherwise. The low-back XVIs went to permanent "E" armament, probably, because the fuselage fuel tank, behind the pilot, led to the removal of the compressed-air, and oxygen, tanks. Rather than fit them further back (wich would have had an adverse effect on the trim,) the outer gun compartments were used, with one bottle in each (oxygen furthest outboard.)

Edgar

Edited February 28, 2008 by Edgar

[The original Kit Builder]

Good luck with your aspiration to fly in 407, Paul. There is little more satisfying aircraft to fly in than a Spitfire.

[Miggers]

It's a common misconception that LF always means clipped wings, but, on the IX, it stood for the rating of the engine, nothing more. ML407 was a IXC, with standard wings. Many photos of IXs, that I've seen, have the wheels with hub covers fitted; nominally these were for snow conditions, but seem to have been anti-mud, as well.

Edgar

If memory serves ,didn't the LF,F and HF refer to the blower gearing/impeller size on the 60/70 series Merlin to denote where the engine best produced power?,i.e LF=below 10,000'(low altitude).