Author Topic: Spitfire Mk.VIII Question (Read 2216 times)

pipz · « **on:** January 20, 2008, 10:49:08 AM »

This goes for all the tall ruddered Spitfires actualy.Where did the put the antenna wire when the switched to the tall rudder?On the short rudder it was at the top of the rudder.In all the pictures I have I just cant see an antenna wire on a tall Ruddered spit.I thought at one time I may have seen it coming from the body to the elevator but im not certain.This is for a modeling project I just started.

Thanks
Pipz

Guppy35 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2008, 11:08:57 AM »

They had different set ups Pipz. I'm at work so I don't have a scanner but I'll post some when I get home later tonite.

On the XII for example there was a short antenna under the right wing as well as an IFF antenna under the fuselage.

Some Spits had the antenna running from both sides of the fuselage behind the cockpit to the outside edge of the horizontal stabilizers too.

pipz · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2008, 11:26:05 AM »

Corky my man!I knew I could count on you Thanks Pal I appreciate the help!

Pipz

Kev367th · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2008, 11:27:57 AM »

Didn't most Spits have the aerial wire wholly contained in the mast itself after about late '41?

SgtPappy · « **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2008, 12:48:54 PM »

Early Spitfires like the I/II/V had the aerials (IFF) on either side of the fuselage attached to the stabalizers.

When the VHF radio sets came out, these were omitted and they now had only one aerial running from the mast to the top of the rudder on some occasions.

Spitfires with wider-chord rudders were different. If you look at our Spitfire VIII's strbrd wing carefully, you'll notice the little antenna sticking out from beneath. That's the new IFF aerial.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 20, 2008, 11:45:58 PM »

Here ya go Pipz. From the Spit XII photos. It would be the same as SgtPappy is referring to on the Spit 8

Blew them up as far as I could. Bottom photo is the close up of the right wing installation. Others should give you a good idea of where the aerials were including the IFF.

pipz · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2008, 05:12:21 AM »

Thanks Corky,Pappy and Kev!I appreciate the input and pictures.Nothing like pictures of grimey Spits to inspire a model builder!I am building a spit VIII for a buddy of mine.He liked the antenna wire on my IX but I told him I didnt think the VIII had that kind of wire.The VIII I built for myself doesnt have one.Hence the reason I asked about it.

My IX with the fancy wire everyone ooo's over

My VIII

Thanks Again
Pipz

gripen · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2008, 05:25:40 PM »

I was under impression that the late production XIIs (with retractable tailwheel) featured short span ailerons like the VIII but that seems to be not the case.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2008, 07:21:48 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by gripen
I was under impression that the late production XIIs (with retractable tailwheel) featured short span ailerons like the VIII but that seems to be not the case.

Nope. The one in the photos, MB882 was the past Spit XII produced.