'Threads'
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'Threads' |
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A Discussion on the Spitfire Vb wing vs. the Vc wing
source: Hyperscale
(thanks to Brett Green for permission)
(Bold Italics are added by the Webmaster to clarify the text or correct known errors. Some comments have been edited for clarity)
Matt
A few questions about Spitfire V's
Thu Apr 24 08:58:33 2003
I have the Airfix 1:24 scale Spitfire Vb. I have already noticed that the kit is
missing the ejector chutes for the cannons in each wing. But have a few
questions.
1, Would the V's have fabric or all metal ailerons?
2, Seeing as I'm gonna have to cut up the wing to clip the tips and put in the
spent cartridge ejectors, what else would be needed to convert to a 'C' wing?
Steve Sauve
Thu Apr 24 09:29:25 2003
- all Mk.Vs had metal ailerons.
- Of course the cannon and wing bulge arrangement is quite different, but
sometimes overlooked is the re-arrangement of the inner 0.303" machine gun.
Instead of being on the inboard side of the wing panel line it currently
touches, it is re-located on the outboard side of the panel line.
- the undercarriage on the 'C' wing is sloped forward more by about 2.5 degrees
(working from memory here). It's not really noticeable until you see a 'B' and
'C' winged aircraft side by side and then you can tell.
- the 'A/B' wing wheel well 'bump' is not on the 'C' wing
- because of the undercarriage change, the main undercarriage doors are no
longer flat, but curved. Very hard to see in photos. Bob Swaddling sent me a
nice shot showing this feature on SL721, the Mk.XVI that he's helping to
restore.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Hope this helps.
Denis K
Thu Apr 24 10:44:10 2003
In 'Wing Leader', by Johnnie Johnson, he mentions an occasion where Bader was
leading a flight with JEJ, Cocky Dundas and another pilot over France.
They were bounced and Bader called for a defensive circle. Dundas called
Bader as he was racking into the turn and complained "Leader, remember we
don't all have metal ailerons". Presumably they were all flying Mk.Vs
Matt
Thu Apr 24 12:42:19 2003
Could they have been Mk I's or II's that had been upgraded to the newer Merlin
used in the Mk V?
Denis K
Thu Apr 24 12:56:47 2003
More than a possibility and they could have been early production Mk.Vs as I
THINK the new ailerons only came onto the production line some time after the
definitive Mk.V was introduced. This would have led to a lot of retrofitting on
the squadrons.
Graham Boak
Thu Apr 24 09:31:59 2003
Different gun installation with different bulges.
No bulge over the wheel well, and a slightly increased rake on the undercarriage
(axle 2" forward, from memory.)
Different prop/spinner, at least usually. Most Vb's had the DH, whereas most
Vc's had the Rotol.
Similarly re external and internal armoured windscreen. Not sure just how many
Vb's had the external armour, possibly not many - I don't know the kit fit.
Dan LoRusso
Thu Apr 24 09:39:50 2003
The "C" wing is a different animal. The inner 0.303" is
repositioned and the panel lines are different for starters. The 20mm cannon
bulge on the lower wing is removed , the upper bulge can be one of 3 variations
depending on the particular a/c you're doing. The 'B' wing 20mm cannon bulge is
not close to any of the 'C' wing bulges. The 'C' wing also had some smaller
teardrop bumps after the shell ejectors. The gas vents on the lower section of
the 'B' wing should be removed. The 20 mm cannon were also different in style
& shape. Get a hold of the Aero Detail book or one of the SAMI Spitfire
publications and utilize their drawings. This is your best bet.
Modeldad
'B' vs. 'C' wing--drawing
Thu Apr 24 10:11:12 2003
These are from an old issue of Scale Aviation Modeler
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