Olmec Head Posted May 4, 2019 Author Share Posted May 4, 2019 As a slight diversion, there seems to have been two types of door for entering a 'para' Whitley. The first is a downward hinge door with integral ladder and the other was the more usual top opening door with lean too ladder (which I presume was the usual ladder ued in the bomber verson and as per the Airfix kit.) I would hazard a guess that the pictured door was a mod with a stronger and better ladder for ladden paratrooper access. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olmec Head Posted May 4, 2019 Author Share Posted May 4, 2019 (edited) As a slight diversion, there seems to have been two types of door for entering a 'para' Whitley. The first is a downward hinge door with integral ladder and the other was the more usual top opening door with lean too ladder (which I presume was the usual ladder ued in the bomber verson and as per the Airfix kit.) I would hazard a guess that the pictured door was a mod with a stronger and better ladder for ladden paratrooper access. and I have found a picture of the other entry hatch: Edited May 4, 2019 by Olmec Head Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 The second picture is backwards. I have changed it to the proper orientation. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 11 hours ago, dogsbody said: The second picture is backwards. I have changed it to the proper orientation. Chris Hiya Chris, The downward opening door appears to be the early Tiger engined variant while the simplified top opening door appears on the Merlin engined variants. All the best mate Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 (edited) On 5/1/2019 at 10:26 PM, Olmec Head said: Here is a rather ropey Whitley V (from the Arnhem Jim site: And this is probably the same a/c from the port side emplanning: As Tonyrot says this one looks a bit tired. The bottom Whitley appears to be a Tiger engined aircraft, as identified by the early style downward opening entrance door and the air intake (?) on the spine of the fuselage. There ware at least two of them with black applied up the sides,.....one quite roughly applied and one coded P where it was much neater,..... but as yet I`ve been unable to confirm the serial. Here is `P',....identified as an earlier variant by the curved fins and the early downward opening entrance door; And here is another view of the other aircraft already pictured by Olmed,....showing the early style entrance door; Here are some more pics if 1 PTS Tiger engined Whitley`s; And this shows just how tight it was inside the fuselage of the Whitley for paratroopers; And here is a Tiger engined Whitley inside a hangar at Ringway with oneof the early sailplanes and the tug aircraft which were used by the Central Landing Establishment,.....before the cover name was dropped and the unit became 1 Parachute Training School. Cheers Tony Edited May 5, 2019 by tonyot 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olmec Head Posted May 5, 2019 Author Share Posted May 5, 2019 Thanks Tony for another excellent set of photos and for explaining the two different door types for the Whitley. I hope that the thread will have generated interest in the Whitley and PTS. The contributions have certainly broadened my knowledge. So I think that I will go with this one as a build: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 From PLANES February/March 1984. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aeronut Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 Using the reports I have from the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment. I've been slowly compiling a list of all the aircraft it used, from the time when the Central Landing Establishment / Airborne Forces Establishment at RAF Ringway carried out all experimental and training work (ie before the PTS. GTS and AFEE gained independent identities). So far I've identified the following Whitley aircraft as those present at Ringway. Mk II K7220 Code letter T Mk II K7230 Code letter Y Mk II K7231 Code letter R Mk II K7262 Mk III K8991 (mock up container drop system for Hengist glider from ventral exit hole) Mk IV Z9420 (Glider Tug towing lights) The list is nowhere near complete as not all aircraft were described by their serials, and the quality of the photographs is generally poor . 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Aeronut said: Using the reports I have from the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment. I've been slowly compiling a list of all the aircraft it used, from the time when the Central Landing Establishment / Airborne Forces Establishment at RAF Ringway carried out all experimental and training work (ie before the PTS. GTS and AFEE gained independent identities). So far I've identified the following Whitley aircraft as those present at Ringway. Mk II K7220 Code letter T Mk II K7230 Code letter Y Mk II K7231 Code letter R Mk II K7262 Mk III K8991 (mock up container drop system for Hengist glider from ventral exit hole) Mk IV Z9420 (Glider Tug towing lights) The list is nowhere near complete as not all aircraft were described by their serials, and the quality of the photographs is generally poor . This list really helps as it confirms some that I have and adds a few more,...... so thanks a lot,..... you watch,... as soon as I build one of these,..... the serial for P will turn up!! Cheers Tony Edited May 5, 2019 by tonyot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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