Leaving the Cockpit open

[Wing Nut]

I always thought they did that on Warbirds because it got too hot or too cramped.

[Hagar]

[quote]I always thought they did that on Warbirds because it got too hot or too cramped.

[ozzy72]

Hmmm, sounds like MkII pilots notes to me. As I understand it the problems were various;
aircraft balance with inexperience pilots (remember this was a new plane at the time), led to pogo-ing (good idea to have the undercarriage down!).
fumes, to vent the cockpit fully in case of fumes from spilt fuel (remember electrical switches and petrol fumes don't mix well children ) So don't flick the switch till you're sure
bowel gases, again to fumigate the cockpit
And as Hagar says, visibility. If you read Mr. Quills Spitfire A Test Pilots Story, when he actually spends time fighting with a Spitfire Sqn. one of the first things he notices that needed changing was the front side glasses of the canopy to flat rather than curved perspex, as it distorted vision terribly, which on the ground in proximity to lots of other expensive flying toys and their pilots 'nuff said
Think thats everything.....

Ozzy

[Wing Nut]

It's from 'Pilot's Notes for Spitfire IX, XI, and XVI' pp 39...  It's one of the items I was telling you about, Mark.

[Hagar]

Didn't I read somewhere that the P-51D had exactly the same problem? The pilots never liked that rear tank & the experienced ones emptied it ASAP - against standing instructions.

[ozzy72]

Ahhh, right that is the fumes issue
The electrical UC switch would arc, and you don't want an electrical spark in a nice enviroment of fuel and air now Not unless you want to say goodbye to your eyebrows

[ozzy72]

Hagar with the P-51D it was a CoG issue. It really screwed it up for combat, so pilots used to use that tank first against SOPs so that when they finally got to meet up with the Messerschmidts and Focke-Wulfs their planes handled like fighters not buses

Ozzy

[Hagar]

Ozzy. I know I've read about a similar fumes problem on a US fighter. If it wasn't the P-51 it might have been the P-40.

[ozzy72]

I do believe you're right. I haven't heard of fume problems on the 51, but I recall reading something about the 40. The person to ask would of course be our resident P-40 guru Brensec

[Hagar]

Ahhh, right that is the fumes issue
The electrical UC switch would arc, and you don't want an electrical spark in a nice enviroment of fuel and air now Not unless you want to say goodbye to your eyebrows

Is this the Spit or the P-51? I'm not sure the Spitfire had an electric U/C switch. The gear was originally operated by a manual handpump & I assumed this was modified with a selector lever of some sort to operate a valve on the hydraulic system.

[ozzy72]

The 51 I was talking about there Hagar, sorry I should have clarified that one
I think it was only after the XIV that Spits had the electrical switch, but I'll go and look it up later when I've had a cup of tea
As you stated before that it was hydraulic pump time. I'd have loved to have seen the yoyo effect of trying to do the hand pump. That has to have been funny

[Hagar]

The 51 I was talking about there Hagar, sorry I should have clarified that one
I think it was only after the XIV that Spits had the electrical switch, but I'll go and look it up later when I've had a cup of tea

I'm sure all Spitfires had hydraulically operated gear. The pump was engine-driven & simply replaced the original manual handpump. No electrics involved*. AFAIK

As you stated before that it was hydraulic pump time. I'd have loved to have seen the yoyo effect of trying to do the hand pump. That has to have been funny

I've seen the yo-yo effect demonstrated by a Nord N.1000 "Pingouin" (Bf 108 Taifun) on the UK display circuit - although obviously in the hands of an experienced pilot.

*PS. There is some sort of electrical cable conduit attached to the undercarriage selector on the Spitfire Mk IX. I can only assume this is connected to a warning or indicator light. When I next get close enough to a Spit I shall make it my business to find out & also take some photos.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_avsafety/documents/page/dft_avsafety_501957.hcsp

[Flt.Lt.Andrew]

Hagar, did you ever fly a spitfire?
I've been trying desparatly to find somone who has...

Bezz

[ozzy72]

One of our members here got a ride in one as a kid Andrew. I think it might have been Brensec..... Not sure though, I haven't had my morning cup of tea yet, so the braincell isn't up and running!

Ozzy

[Hagar]

Hagar, did you ever fly a spitfire?
I've been trying desparatly to find somone who has...

Bezz

Unfortunately no - or any other WWII fighter come to that. This is one ambition that doesn't seem likely now.
Brensec did have a flight in a 2-seater some years ago.

PS. There are definitely electrical connections in that Mk IX U/C selector unit. I have no idea what they are for. I shall find out.