Fairey Firefly Mk.1 help needed

[B_Realistic]

Hi,

I need some advice concerning the Fairey Firefly Mk.1

1. Next to the pilot's headcushion there is a cilinder. What is it used for and what color did it had? I tried to find a descent picture from it but came up nothing.

2. When the wings are folded sometimes you see in front of the wing at the wingfold a extended rod/cylinder. Why is it sometimes extended and sometimes retracted when the wings are folded? I presume that it has something to do with the wingfold?

Michel

[swordfish fairey]

Hello Michel, can't help with the cylinder in the cockpit, but the other you ask about is a manual wing locking handle that is extended when it needs to be used at fold & spread............Smudge

Just found this in my pictures box, may make things a bit clearer, the handle telescopes out as and when needed....

Edited December 20, 2012 by swordfish fairey

[B_Realistic]

Tony,

that makes things clearer. So when I take a look at the wingfold set from Airwaves I see that they included this mechanism in their PE set.

Great that I don't need to scratchbuild that one.

Thanks.

Michel

[Paul Bradley]

Here's a photo of the Mk.I at the Shearwater Aviation Museum, courtesy of Mark Peapell:

I presume you mean whatever would fit into the two brackets to the right of the pilot's head. (BTW, the headrest is not original - it would have been leather)

From the AP:

You would probably be referring to item 63, which is, according to this list:

...an incendiary bomb. I presume this would be used to help destroy the aircraft in the event of a crash landing in enemy territory. What colour it would have been - I don't know.