Though there were no exterior markings on the fuselage of the spitfire, peter arnold was prepared to look for an interior data plate, bringing tools and cleaning gear to take the information from the plate. The biggest difference is surprisingly at 25,000 feet where the clipped version was 4 mph. The spitfire wing is quite large and actually blocks out a lot of the ground from the pilots perspective, which could potentially hide an enemy aircraft, but the removal of the wingtips, shaves over four feet from each side. A good rule of thumb is that series have a conventional name and are intentional creations, on the part of the author or publisher. Supermarine spitfire xvi 19441946 casemate publishers. Formally, this is a misunderstanding as the lf designation referred to the lowaltitude version of the rollsroyce merlin engine and while many lf spitfires had the clipped wings, a number did not. An overview of the basic wing types of the spitfire and the differences between them. This image shows mk xlv spitfire with its wings clipped to help improve low level performance and roll rate using the skill and experience of former raf pilot tim ellison, north london born photographer john dibbs was able to fly to within of different spitfire planes.
This new book in the popular polish wings series tells the story of spitfire xvis used by polish pilots in britain, covering the years 19441946, both in polish squadrons and in raf and auxiliary units. With its packard merlin engine, bubble canopy and in many cases clipped wings, the spitfire mk. Book a spitfire flight experience biggin hill fly a spitfire. Supermarine spitfire elliptic wing 3d cad model library. Like many concepts in the book world, series is a somewhat fluid and contested notion. Clipped wing and enlarged tip wings makes spitfire a unique kind of aircraft. The aircraft i want to model has clipped wings, late mk. Series was designed to cover groups of books generally understood as such see wikipedia. The first of 100 supermarinebuilt production aircraft started appearing in october 1942. The other wing tip variation, used by several spitfire variants, was the clipped wing. Book 2 of bettys mc romance series didnt disappoint.
Worried about what they could do until the spitfire mk ix was put into service. I was wondering if a clipped wing spitfire could roll faster and if that would be discernible in a display. Aug 19, 2015 first off, i have a few questions regarding the spitfire mk xiv, and other griffin variants, along with the 109k4. The reason for the clipped wings is, of course, a practical one they werent going out of their way to uglify sic her. The story does not conclude in this book and will continue in inked armor due for release in may. V, some spitfires had their classic elliptical wingtips replaced by shorter, squaredoff fairings reducing span to 32 ft 2 in 9. Some mkviiis had clipped wings too, if i recall correctly only in the mediterranean theatre though. Perhaps is in bennefit of manuverability due to big size wings. Boscombe down carried out comparative trials with spitfire v aa937 with clipped and normal wings. This study deals with the spitfire elliptic wing shape. Facebook twitter youtube instagram sign up for our weekly newsletter.
The enlarged wing area they provided resulted in better climb rate and slightly improved ceiling at the expense of manoeuvrability in combat on normal altitudes. The most salient recognizable feature of the spitfire is its elegant elliptical wings. Spitfire the spitfire society spitfire the spitfire society. Jul 28, 2014 discussion clipped wing ft spitfire foamies scratchbuilt details i have been playing around with my 800mm mustang trying to squeeze some more speed out of her. The spitfire ix in battle of bodenplatte stormbirds. Modifications already in hand should improve the rate of climb, especially at low altitudes.
Tenley page was a masters student who worked part time at a book store. The south african air force museums example was a spitfire mk. The fitting of ferry tanks on spits started with an experiment in early 1941 on a mkii. The elliptical wings of the spitfire are one its most. Mmp books stratusmushroom model publications polish wings. Spitfire wing modifications war thunder official forum. The introduction of the fw190a found the spitfire being properly outfought for the first time and while the mk ix was being hastily lashed together from the mk viii still on the drawing board and the mk v completely outclassed, the raf came up. Vb in 148th as a dday machine using the excellent new model alliance book as a source. The introduction of the fw190a found the spitfire being properly outfought for the first time and while the mk ix was being hastily lashed together from the mk viii. Pointed, triangular wing tips were designed especially for highaltitude versions of the spitfire, starting with the mk. The idea with both clipped and extended wing tips was.
The mk vc incorporated the universal wing which allowed a number of. Xvi is amongst the most aesthetically appealing of all spitfires. Rollsroyce engineers were already working on a new version of the merlin incorporating a twostage supercharger. Many of our visitors will be aware that our spitfire, tb752, is a mk. Im able to hit over 100mph with the standard design but with the changes i made to the wing it.
Supermarine spitfire early merlinpowered variants wikipedia. The wing tips used spruce formers for most of the internal structure with a light alloy skin attached using brass screws. Simpleplanes clipped wing spitfires and night lightnings. The new book from the famous polish wings series is a comprehensive research about the operational life of the spitfires mk. An instrument panel decal is provided, as well as extensive small stencil decals. It includes listings of losses and of officially credited victories. It was a onetime mistake, but wed put it behind us. The clipped wings increased the roll rate and airspeed at lower altitudes. Discussion clipped wing ft spitfire foamies scratchbuilt details i have been playing around with my 800mm mustang trying to squeeze some more speed out of her.
This clipped wing design enhanced the spitfire s roll rate, bringing it closer to terms with the fw 190, a high roll rate plane. The climb is not as good as the rest of the performance in general, being inferior to the spitfire ix r. If you like slightly taboo, dirty and hot then i have the book. This design can already be seen on the mk xvi in game. Clipped wings improved the speed of the roll, important in the heat of battle. Ixc late version comprises 192 parts in grey plastic, 14 parts in clear, a colour photoetched fret, selfadhesive masks for the canopy and markings for five options. For starters, does anyone have any performance charts on the xiv with the clipped wings. With its elegant elliptical wing and great performance, it achieved legendary. In fact, most of your scans relate to the spitfire xii. Royal air forces preoperational training aircraft losses.
Shortening the wing span substantially enhanced the roll rate, closing the gap in this respect between the spitfire and the formidable german fockewulf fw 190. The mk xii was the first spitfire powered by a griffon engine to go into service. The british supermarine spitfire was facing several challenges by mid1942. All production mk xvis had clipped wings for low altitude work and were fitted with the rear fuselage fuel tanks with a combined capacity of 75 gal. Xvi variants in hands of polish pilots during the last wwii years and after the end of the war. And once again, the fact that very large numbers of spitfires did have clipped wings suggests the raf saw the benefit of it. Next to the massive and brightlylit frame that holds the pair of spitfire wings, sits a forlorn, corroded and holed hulk that was once the fuselage of a royal thai air force supermarine spitfire mk xiv, a variant of the vaunted fighter not powered by the typical rolls royce merlin engine, but rather a. Although these clippedwing aircraft are popularly known as l. The classic elliptical wing of the spitfire is regarded by many as the key to its beauty and. At 17,000 feet the clipped version was just 1 mph faster. It seems to me that dihedral angle in spitfire is so low compared to some other warbirds. A friend recommended and gifted me a copy of this book some time ago and i just hadnt had time to get to it until now and i regret it soooo much. First off, i have a few questions regarding the spitfire mk xiv, and other griffin variants, along with the 109k4. If you really wish to know the story of the spitfire, then read jeffrey quills book, good detail of all the main marks and variants with the reasoning behind them.
Clipped spitfire wings fly a spitfire biggin hill heritage hanagar. Xvi was also a numerically important raf fighter during the last months of world war 2 and the first years of peace, with just over 1,000 examples built during a 12month. V, some spitfires had their classic elliptical wingtips replaced by shorter, squaredoff fairings reducing span to. All these aircraft were used for low altitude roles and featured clipped wings. Clipped wings is a standalone in the kings mc romances with connecting characters. Clipped wings by helena hunting was the first book in the clipped wings series. How the spitfire mk xiv compared to the k4 and other. The spitfire ix is a type that saw multiple changes and improvements from its early introduction in 1942 and final use in 1945. The operational ceiling with clipped wings is about 28,500 feet. The lf designation stands for low flying, these lf spitfires were optimised for the ground attack role and often carried bombs.
Reading castle of kings first is recommended, but not required. Spitfire vc serial ar501 wearing the livery of no 310 czech squadron, where it served in operations in 19421943. She was quiet, timid and hiding from her past tragedy. Britains proud history of building military aircraft appears to be nearing its end, reports neil tweedie. This was not determined by the length of the wings clipped wings were fitted to most lf spitfires, but by the engine, which had been optimised for lowaltitude operation. But, has it the wingstrengthening bars over the wheel bays also, are these postwar additions to restored airframes. I know it was supposed to be faster, and as far as i know, it climbed slightly worse, however i cant seem to find any specifics. The contents also contain strong language and some heavy subject matter.
In an effort to counter this threat, especially at lower altitudes, the vb was the first production version of the spitfire to use clipped wingtips as an option, reducing the wingspan to 32 ft 2 in 9. The sawankhalok spitfire had lost some of its component pieces by 1989the wings, rudder and other empennage parts. Ackroyd former aerospace division manchester school of engineering the victoria university of manchester manchester, uk abstract the paper concerns the aerodynamic design of the spitfire wing and the involvement of the. Clipped wings is book one in a new series from helena hunting focusing on the story of tenley and hayden. Supermarine spitfire with iconic ellipticalshaped wings. Supermarine spitfire late merlinpowered variants wikipedia. The supermarine spitfire is a famous wwii fighter aircraft mostly known by its contribution to the battle of britain. Apr 08, 2018 a brief history of the spitfire ix clipped wings for the spitfire ix confirmed. Jenna tried to get out of our corrupt town, but it pulled her back in again.
Here are my thoughts on flying the spitfire mkix of the south african air force museum historic flight when posted to the saaf museum in 1999. Mar 04, 2014 clipped wings by helena hunting was the first book in the clipped wings series. Turning tighter than your opponent is important, but even clipped the spitfire still had that advantage. Lucas has written zumbachs name in pencil on the inside front flap of the dustjacket. Im able to hit over 100mph with the standard design but with the changes i made to the wing it definitely pushes a little faster. My best friends kid sister had grown up into a spitfire i couldnt resist. Mmp books stratusmushroom model publications polish. When the itch for new ink takes over, nhl star more. The debut of the formidable fockewulf fw 190 in late 1941 had caused problems for raf fighter squadrons flying the latest spitfire mk vb. Clipped wings contains an extremely sexy alpha male, instalust, and lots of hot and steamy scenes. Of these parts, 36 are marked not for use and quite a few more are optional. The last 45 or so mk xiis, were based on mk viiis with two wing fuel tanks, each. Indeed the first mods to clip the wings were reputed to be done in the squadrons. Book a spitfire flight experience from the iconic biggin hill airport.
A brief history of the spitfire ix clipped wings for the spitfire ix confirmed. By this time rollsroyce engineers were already working on a new version of the merlin incorporating twostage superchargers. Nov 01, 2001 decals in this kit provide markings for a no. This clipped wing design enhanced the spitfires roll rate, bringing it closer to terms with the fw 190, a high roll rate plane. Lucas has also made some pencil annotations to pages 7079 marking up several paragraphs that he used in his wwii anthology interestingly called wings of war hutchinson 1983. Ackroyd former aerospace division manchester school of engineering the victoria university of manchester manchester, uk abstract the paper concerns the aerodynamic design of the spitfire wing and the involvement of the canadianborn beverley shenstone in this. The tank was fitted to the wing inboard of one wingtip enveloping the leading edge and protruding forward.
Clipped wing spitfire mk xvi with bubble canope by 3dpvdb. Clipped spitfire wings improve the downward view considerably. The lf designation stands for low flying, these lf spitfires were optimised for the ground. At this moment starts the spitfire and polish wings history, a history very nicely covered in this mmp books series. Zumbachs compliments slip is laid in but not attached to the book.
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