Spitfires Forever Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 (edited) Hello, Another question about Spitfires. Did the Mk IXc ever use the pointed tipped, broader chord rudder? Or was it only on the Mk IX E, Mk VII, VIII and Mk XVI. I am assuming it is probably the latter, so I will have some modifying to do on the Mk IXc wings on my Hasegawa kit. I have plenty of ICM E wing panels to substitute for the wings, but I know it is not that easy a conversion, I have to cover up the expended ammo chutes on the bottom of the wings and scribe a few panels. Maybe I will just sell my Hasegawa's and buy a few Eduard kits. Cheers Edited November 3, 2014 by Spitfires Forever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 The "Mk. XII" rudder was introduced in production from February 1944, so, after that date, anything is possible, since, although not strictly retrospective, a new type could be fitted during repairs and overhaul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Thanks Edgar, I figure that is about as definitive as it gets. Short of your explaiation, the next step would be to find a picture of a Mk IXc with said rudder. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 I'm afraid that's what you'll have to do- find "proof" of a particular subject that you like. Some IXs kept the standard rudder quite late, so I guess it wasn't a priority to put on the larger one. (There may be some connection with wing stores, or something like that- never thought to look for it.) bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 It was mandatory with the fitting of the extra fuselage fuel tank, which really only applied to the XVI, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miggers Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Some "modern" Merlin Spits have it fitted because it also raises the crosswind operating component and offers a bit more authority/bite for ground handling. IIRC the crosswind goes up from 9kts with the standard to 12kts with the big pointy. More and more owner/operators these days though are going in for authenticity, so it's rather rare to see one fitted to Mk I-V Spits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Not only modern mk.Vs have used the pointed rudder, I remember having seen a Turkish mk.V with such a rudder. Sure something unusual and of course not really WW2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rav Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 Did the Mk IXc ever use the pointed tipped, broader chord rudder? Yes, at least LF IXc MH712 WX-D had the bigger rudder retrofitted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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