'Threads'
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'Threads' |
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A Discussion on the Spitfire 'c' wing vs. the 'e' 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)
Dave
Sherrill
Spitfire C and E wing question
Thu May 8
I was looking at the new Aeromaster Post D-Day Spitfires Pt. II decal sheet on
the Eagle Strike website. The description for the third aircraft listed, NH432 a
Mk.IX, reads, "This C wing A/C had the 20mm guns moved to the outer bays
and a 50 caliber M.G. installed inboard." This would seem to me that
Aeromaster doesn't know a C from an E. Or, were field modified C to E wings
somehow different than a factory produced E wing? And, if so, in what way?
Thanks in advance for any response.
http://www.eaglestrikeproductions.com/cgi-bin/amddecals.pl?scale=48&setid=581&dbs=aeromaster&pgs=2&currpg=1&dclimg=ad48581
Steve
Sauve, Ottawa, Canada
Off the top of my head, I can't remember where, but
Thu May 8
I've read about this too, where 'ersatz' e-armament conversions were made, but I
can't remember where I read it, or at which level this process happened, or if
it was a total conversion to 'e' standard.
I wonder if any photos exist to show this setup? Kind of cool to see this
armament, but still with the vestiges of 0.303"s showing in the outer
wings.
Graham
Boak
2 TAF Spitfire
Fri May 9
Which is the story of the Nick Grace Spitfire; history and restoration, as flown
by NZ ace Johnny Houghton. This covers the story of this conversion, which were
available just before D-Day.
The D-Day JE-J was one of these aircraft.
Bob
Swaddling
"c" and "e" wings
Thu May 8
The "c" wing could be converted to an "e" with a conversion
kit. The factory "e" wing was essentially a "c" wing with no
leading edge m/g ports or underwing m/g ejector chutes. The field converted
"e" wing a/c had the ports covered permanently and the ejector chutes
on the underside were covered and some were actually left open. All the panels,
both upper and lower, were left intact. The Mk.XVI that I have been working on
is a good example and I took lots of photos to show just what we are discussing.
Jim
Kiker, aka Yoda
If I may join the party...
Fri May 9 08:33:54 2003
So if I understand things correctly, if you see a Mk.IX or a Mk.XVI with the E
wing configuration, you would also find the original panels and access to the
outer wing guns still in place, with the barrel and shell chute openings closed.
On a Mk. XVIII, you'd see a "true" E wing with no outer guns, AND no
outer gun panels or access at all, with just the main cannon bays filled with a
20mm and the 0.50 cal. Right?
Bob
Swaddling
Right
Fri May 9
Yes the "e" wing of the Mk.IX and Mk.XVI was essentially a "c"
wing. On SL721 there is no evidence of the leading edge ever having m/g ports or
the underwing panels ever having the ejector chutes. Inside the m/g bay there is
evidence of where the m/g barrel would go through the spar and it is covered
with a little plate. I'll send you some photos.
The true "e" wing appeared on the Mk.XVIII with no provision for a
"c" armament at all and a much different construction of the spar
which is not noticeable externally in any case for modelling purposes.
Steve
Sauve,
Interesting!
Fri May 9 10:01:56 2003
So even on the Mk.XVIe's that came down the production line, they more or less
started life as a Mk.XVI'c', and they were modified (by the MUs?) to take the
'e' armament?
And the wing leading edge would show plugs in the m/g openings instead of smooth
metal?
Very cool info, and critically important to true Spitfire modellers!
Bob
Swaddling
Not like that Steve
Fri May 9 14:27:22 2003
What I am saying is that a factory built "e" wing is essentially a
"c" wing with NO m/g gun ports on the leading edge and NO chutes for
m/g casings undersides but the m/g bays are there. In fact there were two Oxygen
bottles carried, one in either m/g ammunition bay. and piped in to a third
oxygen bottle in the fuselage.
For a modeller doing a Mk.IXe or Mk.XVIe he needs to leave the panels where they
are and fill in any leading edge ports or chutes for the m/g's on the underside.
Sorry for the confusion.
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