Spitfire Vc 6 stack exhaust for the Airfix 2020 new tool

[Work In Progress]

On 1/17/2021 at 5:47 AM, ColFord said:

some had been back into MU and contractors before being issued to the Squadrons before D-Day with various mods being implemented before issue

Yes, there comes a point where anything needing an exhaust change is going to get the superior six-a-side type simply because it's been the standard component for quite a while, and is a straighforward bolt-on substitution. There is no reason for the supply chain to continue to carry an additional line of outdated and inferior parts once those already issued to a given unit have been used up.

[Giorgio N]

Probably not relevant to the aircraft serving in the RAF, but IIRC the aircraft refurbished for Portugal all had the 6-stack exhausts

[MACALAIN]

Some Yugoslavian and Greek Spit Vc also had 6 exhausts tube

 

Alain

[Tbolt]

On 1/16/2021 at 8:04 AM, Cheshiretaurus said:

Im planning to build the shuttleworth collections Spitfire Vc AR501 from the Airfix new tool 1/72 Spitfire Vc, I belive this kit has the parts to make a clipped wing version with a normal air filter. What I also need is a six stack exhaust for it, does anyone havecany recommendations for an after market exhaust?  

 

Thanks

 

Mark

CT

 

I'm not sure if you are planning on building building AR501 in her current condition or not, but here's a few photo's if they are any help - AR501

[Vanroon]

I'm going to chime in here. The term for second-line RAF Spitfires fitted out so was Clipped, Cropped and Clapped. 

http://spitfiresite.com/2008/05/clipped-cropped-clapped-yo-q.html

 

Grant

[Work In Progress]

Only those with clipped wings and 45M / 55M engines ("cropped" supercharger giving higher power at low altitudes) making them LF variants, which AR501 was not, being a Vc with a Merlin 46 optimised for higher altitudes.

 

In any case the fitting of the 45M and 55M engine was not tied to a specific exhaust type.

Edited January 21, 2021 by Work In Progress

[Graham Boak]

Also, these Spitfires were not all second line by any means.  The LF Mk.V was something of a pocket rocket at very low level, having a better climb rate than any contemporary fighter.  They were even known to catch low-level Fw.190 fighter bombers dashing for home across the Channel.  Certainly not always, but it happened.  Next to no use above 10,000ft.

[MikeC]

3 hours ago, Vanroon said:

The term for second-line RAF Spitfires fitted out so was Clipped, Cropped and Clapped. 

Just for clarity: the expression refers to the engine and wingtips, not the second-line use.

[Cheshiretaurus]

On 1/19/2021 at 11:58 AM, Tbolt said:

 

I'm not sure if you are planning on building building AR501 in her current condition or not, but here's a few photo's if they are any help - AR501

Thats Brilliant thank you, going to do it in its present marking,  those pics are really useful. 👍

[Julien]

We also have some pics of this aircraft being rebuilt

 

 

[XV107]

Not sure whose copyright applies so won't borrow the photos - but post No.2 in the link below contains a couple of photos of Rosie Mackie's Spitfire:

'Rosie' Mackie's Spitifre

[Vanroon]

On 1/21/2021 at 8:24 PM, Graham Boak said:

Also, these Spitfires were not all second line by any means.  

I'm not sure that's so. when 453 (RAAF) sqn were withdrawn from channel cover duties they handed in Mk.IXs and were reassigned to Cornwall getting issued renovated Mk.Vbs with the above mods. All concerned were unimpressed. 

[Work In Progress]

4 hours ago, Vanroon said:

I'm not sure that's so.

I think you may be misunderstanding what Graham meant, understandably as the phrase can be used in different ways. "Second line" in this context means a change of role, generally a non-combatant role. Moving a Stirling from bombing Germany to being a glider tug is a transfer to second-line duties. Meteorological recce is a second-line use of a Gladiator, instead of its original air defence role. An ex Battle of Britain Spitfire transferred to an Operational Training Unit is performing second-line duties. A Tempest being used as a target tug is a second-line duty. 

 

The Spitfire V above is still in front-line service, just as much as it would be in, say, north Africa. Aircrew being miffed that they are being required to fight with less state-of-the-art equipment than they might wish is a separate issue.

Edited January 23, 2021 by Work In Progress

[Graham Boak]

Indeed.  Given that they were active over Normandy on D-Day, and the last RAF fighter squadron with them was still operational in September(?) 1944, I think my comment stands.  There is a book on the Mk.V by Peter Cargill that details, amongst other things, the continuing use of these aircraft in Fighter Command./ADGB.   I'm not sure that the Balkan Air Force would appreciate being termed second-line either.  The Seafire L.III was just an overweight Spitfire LF Mk.V, and it was shooting down Zeros on the last day of the war.

 

Not sure the Stirling crews who died over Arnhem would appreciate the term either.

[ColFord]

No.26 Squadron RAF and No.63 Squadron RAF were still operating Spitfire Mk.V for Naval Gunfire Spotting sorties for RN units including HMS Warspite and HMS Roberts bombarding German hold out positions along the Channel Coast and in the areas around Walcheren until the end of November 1944.  During these sorties they often came under intense and accurate flak, with a number of aircraft being hit and having to make emergency diversionary landings to ALGs in Allied held areas.  No.63 Squadron flew their last operational sorties on Spitfire Mk.V in December 1944, providing close fighter escort to aircraft flying VIPs to and from airfields on the Continent.  So in the ETO on front line operational service until December 1944.

 

No.26 Squadron went back to Mustang Mk.I aircraft in December 1944 to continue their Naval Gunfire Spotting duties.  Part of the reason for going back to the Mustangs being the wider potential area of operations they could cover and longer loiter time on station for their gun spotting duties - the longer range of the Mustang purely on internal fuel being significantly greater than that of the Spitfire Mk.V.