Another Spitfire question: Spitfire IIa P7966

[le_steph40]

Hello,
Probably a stupid question but regarding D. Bader Spitfire Mk.IIa P7966 "Manxman", Rotol or De Havilland propeller/spinner ???

TIA, regards
Steph

 

[Wurger]

Here a shot of the kite.. not too much of these parts can be seen here but it seems it was De Havilland propeller and spinner.

 

[le_steph40]

Many thanks

 

[le_steph40]

I forget something Regarding the oil cooler, is it a Mk.I type or a Mk.V type (with deepened oil cooler with circular air intake) ?
I think to have read that some Mk.II wore the deepened oil cooler...

Steph

 

[Wurger]

Mk.I and Mk.II weren't told apart at first glance. The only difference that can be noticed is a small drop-bulge at the side of the starboard engine cowling , just behind the spinner. It covered a part of Coffman's starter for the Merlin XII engine.

 

[le_steph40]

Ok, thank you very much

 

[Wurger]

 

[vikingBerserker]

Your knowledge just amazes me sometimes my friend.

 

[Edgar Brooks]

The "Mk.III oil cooler" was introduced onto the Mk.II production line from 26-9-41, which was over a month after Bader was shot down, and 7 months after P7966 was built, so stick with the Mk.I type.

 

[Wurger]

Thank you so much VB.

And EB a good info here as well.

 

[Airframes]

Good stuff Edgar, beat me to it! The Airfix 'box art' for Bader's Spit lends confusion, as it shows the MkV type oil cooler I believe.

 

[pbfoot]

The "Mk.III oil cooler" was introduced onto the Mk.II production line from 26-9-41, which was over a month after Bader was shot down, and 7 months after P7966 was built, so stick with the Mk.I type.

Bader built it himself

 

[le_steph40]

The "Mk.III oil cooler" was introduced onto the Mk.II production line from 26-9-41, which was over a month after Bader was shot down, and 7 months after P7966 was built, so stick with the Mk.I type.

Thank you Edgar

 

[Wurger]

Good stuff Edgar, beat me to it! The Airfix 'box art' for Bader's Spit lends confusion, as it shows the MkV type oil cooler I believe.

I think it is because Bader used the Mk.VA later as well. Its serial is believed to be W3185.

and the Mk.IIA profile... of course the spinner colour is incorrect.

 

[le_steph40]

Thank you

 

[rochie]

Good stuff Edgar, beat me to it! The Airfix 'box art' for Bader's Spit lends confusion, as it shows the MkV type oil cooler I believe.

other way around my friend, MkVa box art shows a Mk I/II oil cooler but has the MkV round oil cooler in the box

 

[Airframes]

Ah ha! I had a feeling I'd got it wrong !! Cheers mate.