What Mk?

[Woodlouse2002]

I think that ML417 is dressed as a Griffon spit in that photo. You can see the rocker cover bulges that shouldn't be there on a MkIX.

[HawkerTempest5]

Woody pal, I'm not sure where you can see Griffon style bulges on that photo pal I agree that the nose on ML417 looks a bit different from the nose in the first photo but I'm sure it's just the angle. I've seen ML417 twenty or thirty times and it has always looked like that.
One explanation however is that ML417 may have a Packard Merlin fitted or have the cowl from a MkXVI. The nose profile of the MkXVI was just slightly different form the MkIX due to small differences between the 60 series Merlin and the Packard V1650.

[ozzy72]

Its just the angle. ML417 had the Mosquito engine she was running removed when they did her big rebuild in the early 90's, she is now running a Merlin 60
Oh and the nose is the original I believe, its just the angle of the shot and the light I think is distorting things a tad.

Mark

[Woodlouse2002]

I have outlined what I am speaking of.
The original picture.

Picture with the bulge on the engine cowl outlined.


I really do think that ML417 is in drag for that pic.

[Felix/FFDS]

I have outlined what I am speaking of.

I really do think that ML417 is in drag for that pic.

It got me thinking, too, but I compared photos - all Merlin Spitfires also have that "bulge".  Maybe it wasn't as pronounced in the I, II, and V, but the IX/XVI had it.  Granted, it was much more pronounce on the Griffon-engined marks

You can see it in this one, too.

[HawkerTempest5]

This is TFC's MkXIV. In this shiny colour scheme the Griffon rocker cover bulges stand out quite well and you can see just how big they are.

ML417 clearly without big rocker covers bulges. The nose curves more and is wider behind the prop than on a MkV.

Just for comparison, BBMF's LFIXe. You can see from this angle the nose profile is exactly the same as on ML417.

[Woodlouse2002]

Fair enough. I'm happy now.

[HawkerTempest5]

Fair enough. I'm happy now.

That's what this foum is for pal, were all here to help each other. I love these discussions  ;D

[xFLAMESx]

WOW - all this from a little quiz.
Thanx anyhow - i didn't know half of the stuff i just learnt.

Thanx. Carl

[Merlin66]

Griffon v's Merlin nose bumps.....
Another thing which is a dead give away is the joint line between the side panels and the rocker cover top panel.
On the Merlin the joint is ABOVE the exhausts, whereas on the Griffon it is BELOW the exhausts. Look again at the Photos in this post. See the difference!

The "circular" cross section just in front of the Canopy, where the fuel tank(s) resided, transitioned into a far "squarer" top above the engine, infact this shape change is the the thing to look for on accurate models of the Spitfire.