Recent content by chuter

  1. chuter

    The What is it? Game

    Hurricane gun camera.
  2. chuter

    About the Fw190 D9

    The P-51 has a similar hole in its spinner as well, though it typically is filled with a plastic plug. In the case of the Mustang's spinner, and probably most other aluminum spinners, that's where the mandrel is attached to turn the spinner disc during production.
  3. chuter

    Guess that color, P-40B wheel cover.

    Just commenting to point out that the sheetmetal wheel cover held on with four flush Dzus fasteners isn't actually the only thing being discussed here. The perimeter "band" around the wheel "hub" next to the tire (both inboard and outboard) is actually the wheel rim itself. At the following...
  4. chuter

    Lavochkin fighter

    So that would be the Alternate Air Valve ... ambient (cold) ram air for performance or cowl (warmer) air for carb de-icing. I wonder if they had a filter for the cowl air? Probably not.
  5. chuter

    Does someone recognize this aircraft part?

    I work at Yanks Air Museum, Chino, and basically nothing we have prior to 1946 has Phillips head fasteners (originally). Slotted screws abound along with the odd Reed & Prince (Frearson) crosspoint screws*. Truly a PIA. We're currently working on our P-63 and the erection/maintainance manual...
  6. chuter

    This Is Beyond Stupid

    Self reporting doesn't get you out of anything done intentionally.
  7. chuter

    A more effective Dec 1941 preemptive attack on the USA

    I remember reading long ago an in depth analysis of the plan and execution of the attack and I recall the third wave on the fuel farm and dry docks and facilities was part of the original plan but cancelled at the last moment for two reasons: 1) the startling success of the first two waves and...
  8. chuter

    Messerschmitt Bf 109 G camouflage original document

    The red legged 109s at the end of the war were the C3 fueled ones I believe.
  9. chuter

    B-17G tyres 1944

    Different Non-Skid tread patterns were used by the different tire manufacturers. Goodyear used diamond, Firestone used cross, B.F. Goodrich used ovals and U.S. Rubber (Uniroyal) used rectangles (and another with tiny "suction cups"). I'm not sure what other manufacturers used.
  10. chuter

    Identify this aircraft

    Technically it would be Spartan not Sparta.
  11. chuter

    BF-109 Wing Slots

    Agreed. I also like the reference to the "Me-109". It might be noted that the "Bf109" designation was, for the most part, only used within the halls and offices of the RLM building itself.
  12. chuter

    Need help to ID what could possibly be a part of a WW2 aircraft

    Technically though, that marking is not the star of David (dueling triangles) but a hexagram. Hexagram marks were used on firearms for, quite often, passing test firing and on edged weapons to indicate Damascus steel. I have no idea what it would indicate on an aircraft part but it's possible...
  13. chuter

    Percentage of Luftwaffe fighters with external cannon pods 1944-45?

    The very early 109s had very reasonable control forces and harmony, but as the series' speeds increased the ailerons began to lose effectiveness culminating in the higher speeds of the E model. The F had a redesigned wing that included completely new ailerons (and flaps) to improve high speed...
  14. chuter

    Spinner

    Spinners on full cowled radials only really work if the entire engine compartment is reasonably streamlined with a gearbox cover behind the spinner and minimal exposed structure inside the cowling. The cowl flaps control the amount of air that enters the cowling (duh) and with them closed (not...
  15. chuter

    P-39C-D & 400

    While moving the radio for CG reasons is a good consideration (it was done for the 109K - a lot was done for the K) a complication is the weight of the SCR-522, ~48 lbs., and the power supply, ~35 lbs. To relocate it you'd need to move the radio rack back while still being able to tie it in to...
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