Trubbie Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 Gentlemen, Did the BoB period mark I Spitfire have the hot air ducting tubes fitted to the rear face of the under wing radiator? Your knowledge/advice will be gratefully received. Many thanks, Trubbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 I don't have (or can't find) a confirmatory drawing, but a mod, to fit a gun heating system, was introduced in May, 1938, so I'd say that they did. Certainly, there's a photo of K5054, from below, and the extractor cones are clearly visible. Edgar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trubbie Posted April 23, 2010 Author Share Posted April 23, 2010 I don't have (or can't find) a confirmatory drawing, but a mod, to fit a gun heating system, was introduced in May, 1938, so I'd say that they did. Certainly, there's a photo of K5054, from below, and the extractor cones are clearly visible.Edgar Thank you very much Edgar. I'd say now that it's a safe bet. Regards, Trubbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossofiron1971 Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 Here's a late entry! I have been reading the 'Spitfire Story' by Alfred Price. On the section of Spitfires into production, Alfred kind of points to the fact the by early 1939, ALL Spitfires were being delivered with gun heating. Could that point to the fact that very early (19 Squadron) could be delivered without gun heating? Would save me re-modelling the wing exhaust ducts, which, on the Revell MkII are a tad rubbish... Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Roberts Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 As per Edgar's post above, if your plane is pre-May 1938, yes, you could leave them off. PR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 But since 19 Squadron didn't receive any Spitfires until August '38, that doesn't help much. I believe that early examples were delivered without the gun heat, and had to be subsequently modified, but I don't have any specifics instantly to hand. bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Roberts Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 That's interesting - I would have thought that at that time of the war mods would have been acted on quite quickly, certainly within the time period here (?). PR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The original Kit Builder Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 (edited) Most if not all, of 19 sqn's Spitfires wer from the initial production batch, including K9795, which was the 9th production aircraft, so it is almost (!) certain that the gun heating system was absent. However, many of these aircraft continued to see service through the battle and would have been modded during their lifetimes. Edited September 17, 2015 by Kit builder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossofiron1971 Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Thanks Gents! I will take the Wing Exhaust Ducts off then, Like I said, on the Revell kit, they are the wrong shape anyway and it makes an interesting talking point when you put the early 19 Squadron plane against the later MkI's.. All the best Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doorgunner Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Hello everybody, I am modelling WZ-T an early spit with flat canopy and two blade prop seen in many pics. Since its correct serial is doubtful, it is impossible to know when it was produced. What to do...? To leave or remove the scoops.....? TIA Maurizio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Don't be in too much of a hurry to take them off- I'd need to look for confirmation before I was confident. In May '39 (the "Press Day" photos) they are present on the ones where one can see. But the question remains about initial deliveries... bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Heating was introduced 26-5-38 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossofiron1971 Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 mmmm,,,, Found this now; Early in the Spitfire's operational life a major problem became apparent; at altitudes above about 15,000 ft (4,572 m), any condensation could freeze in the guns. Because of this the system of gun heating first fitted to K5054 was introduced on the 61st production Mk I That ties in with the dates in my book about the introduction of exhaust ducts at the same time as the upgrade to the 3 blade Dehavilland (The 77th Spitfire) I am building K9795, the 9th Operational Spitfire, so, the exhaust ducts go.... Unless there is evidence that what I have found is untrue.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doorgunner Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Don't know exactly what serial WZ-T was, but checking its in-flight pictures is evident that it was fitted with the heating scoops.... M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
303sqn Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 It seems that there were two 'T's. The Airfix 'T' is supposedly K9794. This met with some kind of landing accident at Digby 10/1/39 and SOC 18/4/39. The second 'T' was possibly K9824 or K9826. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doorgunner Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I wanted to realize the one pictured in many images both on the ground and in flight. It seems to have the gear bay and undersurfaces of ailerons in aluminum dope and just one roundel on upper and lower surfaces. Which one is it please ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
303sqn Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Most of the photos of early 19 Squadron Spitfires were taken at a press day at Duxford 4th May 1939. Airfix give a specific time of August 1938 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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