Spitfire pics (indoor)

[Woodlouse2002]

Is it real or a replica? Where are the wheels?

[SkyNoz]

I thought at first that may have been a early wind tunnel test model, then as I compared it to the person it was apperent that is was real and interessting nice photos, Fighting_Falcon522.

[ozzy72]

I'd guess she was a wheels up landing (hence the lack of U/C and the dented spinner)...
Oh and she is sporting a Packard Merlin as that is a Mk XVI
Lovely photos BTW

[Hagar]

Nice one. Shame about its condition. There's no record of any damage so perhaps they decided to display it like this.

LF Mk.XIVe, TE456 (c/n CBAF-IX-4590 or CBAF-23682) is on static display at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Taken on charge by the RAF on August 8 1945, the aircraft initially went into storage at 6 MU at Brize Norton. It was issued to 501 RAuxAF Squadron at Filton in March 1946 (coded RAB-J), and then to 612 RAuxAF Squadron at Dyce in May 1949 (coded 8W-?). The aircraft was stored from July 1951 until August 1953, after which it served with 3 CAACU. During this time it also appeared in "Reach for the Sky". On July 5 1956 the aircraft went to 47 MU, and was grounded on July 20. In 1956 after representations by Sir Keith Park, the aircraft was presented by the Air Ministry in recognition of New Zealand service during World War II. It was struck off charge on August 30 and prepared for shipping, being despatched on September 30. The aircraft was then put on display in the Auckland War Memorial Museum wearing the post 1951 silver scheme and the code 43 from its time with 3 CAACU. In 1997 the aircraft was refurbished (along with the Museum's Mitsubishi A6M3) in readiness for moving to new display areas. Interestingly, the work on the aircraft was carried out in a public gallery. Having been displayed in natural metal, the restoration team found evidence of camouflage having been present from its time with 501 Squadron. The aircraft is now presented in the colours of 501 'County of Gloucester' Squadron marked RAB-J.

http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/spitfire.html

[BFMF]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge ozzy
I can see you're very fond of Spits and know a lot about'em

Mark is our resident Spitfire expert. He also owns the Spitfire bible, which if I remember correctly, has almost every bit of info on the Spitfire

[Hagar]

Mark is our resident Spitfire expert.

Ah, but how did he know it's not a Mk IX?
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=spitfire+rab-j&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

[ozzy72]

Okay three very easy bits to look at that give it away as not being an IX.
Armament (20mm Hispano and the .50 Browning only came in later in the war, very few IXs got to play with it).
Engine plumbing (dead giveaway as some of it is laid out differently, and most especially the exhausts).
Bubble canopy (only a very few IXs got it).
Alas you can't see the tail at an angle very well on this as that also provides clues (the early IXs had the rounded tail of the V not the pointed one)
If it is Merlin engined I'm your man, for Griffon engined Spits you need to talk with Roger (Hawker Tempest 5). Between us there isn't much we don't know

[Woodlouse2002]

I'll answer my own question on the wheels. Looking at the surrounding walls and ceiling it looks as if the nose and prop blades would be too high to fit into the room if it was resting on it's under carraige.

[Hai Perso Coyone?]

Very nice pics...

[61_OTU]

I guessed at a mkxvi as it had the lowback, but as for why it's wheels-up, I think it's because it demonstrates the flying attitude. This is how the pilots saw them, balanced on the cog, looking straight down the line from spinner to tail.

I think it's a sweet way to show it off.

[C]

I'll answer my own question on the wheels. Looking at the surrounding walls and ceiling it looks as if the nose and prop blades would be too high to fit into the room if it was resting on it's under carraige.

I was about to say the same thing...  ;D

As for the dusty wings, RAFM Cosford isn't much better...