Author Topic: Question for Real Life Spitfire gurus... (Read 1765 times)

Kurt · « **on:** October 31, 2006, 07:51:06 PM »

I need to know what size the tires were on the Spitfire MKIX -- Specifically the diameter... I'm less concerned with the width or wheel size.

Please, anyone who has this information available please let me know. Thanks!

Kurt · « **Reply #1 on:** October 31, 2006, 11:45:44 PM »

Ah, come on... one of you guys has this info, I know it... Help me out.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 31, 2006, 11:51:18 PM »

I went through all my spitfire stuff and I can't find anything that gives the diameter. Kinda driving me nuts

And I've got just about everything ever written on the Spit. How fast do you need it? I have a buddy in England who is THE expert on Spits. When I can't find it, I ask him. I'm sure he knows.

Kurt · « **Reply #3 on:** November 01, 2006, 12:01:07 AM »

I'm working on a 1/7th scale Radio Controlled Spit, I'm ready to order the wheels and I can go with what the plans say, or if I have a little wiggle room I can use some really nice scale aluminum replicas...

If I can not get an answer online tonite I know I can call the So. California CAF museum tomorrow (they have one in the hanger) and ask them... Its a small operation and I'm certain someone will run over there with a tape measure (or read the tire) and tell me...

SO its not that I NEED it fast, its just that I thought I'd give you guys a crack at the goal

I'd rather see you guys figure it out personally...I drove my self nuts on the web tonite looking for a firm number.

At 1/7th scale we are talking about the difference between 3.5 inches and 4 inches which equals 24 or 28 inches for a difference of 4 inches on the full sized plane... But, I want authenticity if I can nail it. I'm guessing the real diameter might be a little more than 28 inches... But I don't know... Last time I stood in front of a spitfire was 3 years ago and the tires are not what I was looking at.

Shuffler · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2006, 12:04:45 AM »

Not sure.. but they were definitely round

Spent better than an hour hunting on the net.... no joy, yet.

Found this site where they built a nice 1/7 scale RC and down towards the bottom there is info on a wheel kit.....
http://www.modelairplanenews.com/reviews/spitfire-mkix.asp

Good Luck

Kurt · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2006, 12:20:24 AM »

Yeah, that is actually the same kit, and I've seen that site... except the guy who built that made it just on the kit instructions... I'm taking mine up a level in detail and scale. For instance, looking at the kit in that article you can see he used Mustang wheels...

Mine is going to be a lot more detailed.

I'm looking to achive authenticity more like

http://mickreevesmodels.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/p4spit.htm

Except the one in that article is a 1/6th But just look at paint and such... Thats what I'm going for.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2006, 12:34:57 AM »

Wow, that guy really butchered the paint scheme on that R/C Spit. All that work and paint it completely wrong. Tis a shame

Airscrew · « **Reply #7 on:** November 01, 2006, 10:49:46 AM »

Kurt, if you can hang on till about 1030pm when I get home tonight, I have a reproduction of a Spit V manual that has all the specs on the Spit V, including tire dimensions and air pressure requirements.
the book is like a Chiltons manual for Spitfires, how to change the guns out of the wings, make repairs, electrical diagrams, landing gear parts, etc
It should work, I think if i remember right the Spit V and Spit IX are the same plane with differences in engines and guns.

slimm50 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 01, 2006, 10:57:52 AM »

But can they shoot real bullets? That's what I want to know. Otherwise, what good is all that realism??

Guppy35 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 01, 2006, 11:09:56 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Airscrew
Kurt, if you can hang on till about 1030pm when I get home tonight, I have a reproduction of a Spit V manual that has all the specs on the Spit V, including tire dimensions and air pressure requirements.
the book is like a Chiltons manual for Spitfires, how to change the guns out of the wings, make repairs, electrical diagrams, landing gear parts, etc
It should work, I think if i remember right the Spit V and Spit IX are the same plane with differences in engines and guns.

Already waded through it last night with no luck. Tire dimensions would have been the same from the Spit I on in terms of diameter

Airscrew · « **Reply #10 on:** November 01, 2006, 11:34:09 AM »

I was sure when I was reading through it the other night for something else (like reading about the drop tanks and bomb attachments for the Spit V and wondering why we dont have that in AH) I thought I saw a table for the type of tires,(two different manufactures) dimensions and tire pressures. I'll look again tonight just to be sure I'm not seeing things. My book i think was reprinted by a UK historical museum.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 01, 2006, 11:37:21 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Airscrew
I was sure when I was reading through it the other night for something else (like reading about the drop tanks and bomb attachments for the Spit V and wondering why we dont have that in AH) I thought I saw a table for the type of tires,(two different manufactures) dimensions and tire pressures. I'll look again tonight just to be sure I'm not seeing things. My book i think was reprinted by a UK historical museum.

Sure is possible I just missed it. I'm sure my copy is the same as yours. RAF Museum Series printing.

Airscrew · « **Reply #12 on:** November 01, 2006, 11:49:31 AM »

Kurt · « **Reply #13 on:** November 01, 2006, 02:22:12 PM »

Thanks for the efforts guys, I have requests in with two local museums to get the info... Chino Planes of Fame and Southern California CAF wing and Camarillo. Both have spitfires.

Both are pretty friendly shops and I'm sure as someone gets a second they'll get back to me. But nothing so far.

FBBone · « **Reply #14 on:** November 01, 2006, 02:31:55 PM »

Kurt, lets have some pics when you've finished it! I'm building the Corsair from TopFlite at this time, and will be starting the P-51 sometime mid-year '07.