Spitfire Trivia - Prototype and Mk 1

[Wing Nut]

This is not for the faint of heart...

1.  What was the tail number of the prototype.

2.  What was the Supermarine designation for the prototype?

3.  Who was the first person to ever fly a Spitfire?

4.  How many Mk 1's had a two blade prop?

5.  How many horsepower was the first Merlin in a Spitfire?

6.  What was the first operational Spitfire Squadron?

7.  What is the date of the original Spitfire contracts?

8.  What happened to the original Spitfire Prototype?

[Felix/FFDS]

[quote]This is not for the faint of heart...

1.

[HawkerTempest5]

First Squadron, No. 19 based at Duxford, Cambs. UK.
K5054 had a bit of a "Bump" in September 1939 and   was written off.

[Wing Nut]

Ohh, this was too easy!

[Hagar]

In an attempt to make up for the merciless ribbing I've been giving poor old Pippin in the General forum lately here's a nice shot I took earlier this year of the replica Spitfire prototype at the Tangmere museum. This replica was the brainchild of the late Jeffrey Quill OBE AFC. In 1983 Jeffrey, together with Dr.Gordon Mitchell (R. J's son), Alex Henshaw and some members of R. J Mitchell's original aircraft design team from Supermarine joined forces with the newly formed Spitfire Society to build a lasting and suitable memorial to the Spitfire

[Wing Nut]

Aww shucks Doug, you didn't have to...  I would pay dearly to see that plane up close.  Alas, but it is not to be. :-/

[Felix/FFDS]

Felix, my book say you're wrong about the number of two-blade Spits and the horsepower...

That's why I covered my bets by saying "ordered"

One site ndicates that 450 were ordered, another indicates that 306 two bladed Spits had been built by 3 SEP 39.

[HawkerTempest5]

[quote]This is not for the faint of heart...

5.

[ozzy72]

Roger you're right on the 310 in the first order. But I seem to recall the Merlin III (Spitfire MkI power plant) being rated at 990 HP.
However K9787 the first production Spit was rated at 1030 HP
Okay I've got a tough Q. for Spitfire fans. Which model Spit not only featured rockets, bombs, extra fuel tanks, but also could be towed behind a Wellington to increase its range, and had a fully featherable prop?

Mark

[Wing Nut]

Mk MCMXLVIII?

[ozzy72]

Nope, but its nice to know you know your Latin counting Pippin

[Wing Nut]

It's all those Bugs Bunny cartoons.  They used to give the production dates in Roman numerals, and we'd try to figure out when they were made.  ::)

[Woodlouse2002]

I'm guessing its that high altidude model. As it would have a better gliding ablility with its extended wing, extra fuel tanks to get to altitude, more need for a feathering prop etc. Although i'm probably (definatly) wrong...

[ozzy72]

You are indeed wrong Woodie

[paulb]

The Airfix one in your bedroom  ;D

Cheers Paul