Spitfire Mk I Trop X4922

[Vonbraun]

Hello, can anyone help with information on Spitfire Mk I X4922.

Apparently employed in testing of Vokes filter and possibly of the Merlin 45. I've posted the an alleged image have found of this aircraft. Any information and particularly photos are most welcome. TIA.

Edited October 5, 2015 by Vonbraun

[gingerbob]

It was built as a Mk.I, but converted to Va, as it is here. This is one of the "official" photos from AAEE- it was a testbed for a long time, and went to 349 Squadron in July '43 while they were working up- not used operationally (Vb for that). To 61OTU August 1st, and SOC in Nov '44.

During its trials it had Merlin 45, later Merlin 46, the Vokes filter (and other trop mods) as shown here (but note that the slipper tank may be a wooden mockup), an experimental curved windscreen...

Here's one AAEE report using this aircraft.

Note that it is a "Presentation Spitfire", the H&H referring to Higgs and Hill Ltd.

bob

p.s. You can see a hint of the "circle P" aft of the roundel.

Edited October 5, 2015 by gingerbob

[Vonbraun]

Thank you Bob, fascinating information, especially regarding the H&H marking!

I could make out something circular aft of the roundel, but was not sure if it was the Circle P marking or not. Thanks for the clarification.

I am assuming the aircraft was painted DG/DE over Sky with yellow Circle P stencil aft of the roundel.

The H&H marking is a bit of a mystery for me...it does not match the white of the roundel and the film type does not register yellow well. My guess is blue or gray, but it is pure speculation.

[303sqn]

From Gifts of War

Purchased with a donation of £5,000 by Higgs and Hill Ltd, builders of Crown Works, South Lambeth Road, London SW8. Allocated to Farnborough 1^st Feb 1941 and sent to Air Service Training at Hamble for conversion to Mk Va prototype with Merlin 46. Delivered to A&AEE Boscombe Down on 11^th March for comparison spin trials with X4942 and N3053. Also fitted with Volkes multi-vee air filter for cooling trials. These were carried out by Vickers-Armstrong at Worthy Down from 17^th April. Returned to Boscombe Down 7^th October. Back to worth Down on 9^th October for trials with tropical filter and oil cooler. A wooden mock up made of the proposed 90 gal slipper overload fuel tank. 21^st December 1941 back to Boscombe Down for trials of tropical modifications. Retuned to Worthy Down 25^th February 1943 (sic). Trials and experiments continued on 7^th July 1942 when speed test were carried out with a curved windscreen, whip aerials, and a Merlin 46 engine which gave 16lb of boost. On 21^st March 1943 went back to AST, probably to have modifications removed, leaving it as a Mk Va. 20^th May handed to 8 MU Little Rissington. Allocated to 349 (Belgian) Squadron Kings Cliffe 6^th July. Allocated 61 OTU Rednal 1^st August. Sent to Station Flight Northolt 13^th August to fly weather reconnaissances. Transferred to 52 OTU Charmy Down 22nd August. Returned 4^th February 1944 to 61 OTU. On 24^th February FO M L Vatal injured when port undercarriage collapsed on heavy landing at Rednal. Repaired by Vickers from 5^th March returning 24^th March. 19^th October relegated to 45 MU Kinloss to be handed over to 9 MU Cosford 5^th November. 8th November First Officer A Powys of 12 Ferry Pool overshot landing at Brockton, a satellite of Cosford, running through two hedges before coming to rest. Declared Cat E 19^th November and SOC.

[Vonbraun]

Thank you 303sqn that is absolutely amazing. I very much appreciate the effort it took to put that together.

Between the this post and that provided by Gingerbob the history of the aircraft has been pretty well nailed down. My sincere thanks to both!

Anyone care to comment on colors?

[Graham Boak]

The low contrast top and dark underside, viewed on ortho film, on a trials aircraft would suggest Dark Green and Dark Earth over Yellow. At some stage this will have been updated to the Day Fighter Scheme but this would not have been seen as a priority as long as it stayed on trials work. The presence of the early roundels also suggest the retention of an older scheme.

[Vonbraun]

Thank you Graham. I had assumed Sky undersurfaces but yellow makes more sense. Even the sunlight areas of the undersurfaces appear quite dark which is consistent with yellow in ortho film.

[gingerbob]

Here's a shot from the other side (bottom of page). I'm sure I've seen a shot of it flying, too, but haven't started looking in books.

bob

p.s. Note that at the time these photos were taken (Dec '41), it is fitted with the spin-chute guard on the fin.

Edited August 12, 2017 by gingerbob
to add date of photos

[Vonbraun]

Excellent photo Gingerbob, thank you!

I am not seeing evidence of a roundel under the wing, I can't tell if its obscured in the shadow or just not there.

The dark undersurface is again consistent with yellow and ortho film.

[Vonbraun]

Here is the starboard image. The aircraft retained the hole for the crank starter in the starboard cowling and it has the navigation lamps, or their remnants, which can be seen forward of the H&H marking.

[gingerbob]

...and it has the navigation lamps, or their remnants, which can be seen forward of the H&H marking.

Good spot!

bob