Spitfire IX MA568 ?

[le_steph40]

Hello,

Another problem for me
Another of my futur projects is the Spitfire Mk.IX MA568 "FN°L" flown by Norvegian Ace Svein Heglund of RAF 331 Sqn during August, September and October 1943.
But I don't know to define this spitfire with Merlin 63 engine...
- Early or late style intake lower cowl ?
- little or large style bay cannon covers for C wings ?
- Early or late style control surfaces ?
- 4 or 5 spoke wheels ?
- Or covered hub wheels ?

My opinion:
- Early style intake lower cowl
- Large style bay connon covers
- Early style control surfaces
- Wheels ???

Anybody to help me please ? Opinions ?
TIA
Steph

 

[Wurger]

Here you are shots of Spitfires of the 331st RAF Squadron. But these seem to be of MK.Vb type rather than Mk.IX.

And a profile of teh FNoL Spitfire...

 

[Crimea_River]

MA568 was a Spit IX with a Merlin 63 built at Castle Bromwich and delivered to 331 Sqd on June 25/43. That's a start.

 

[le_steph40]

Hello,
Thanks both for your answer
Here is what I needed: to the left bottom of the page there is MA568 FN°L
Norwegian Spitfire Squadrons

My opinion:
- Early style intake lower cowl
- little style bay connon covers
- Early style control surfaces
- Wheels ??? (probably 5 spokes)

 

[Crimea_River]

Short intake on lower cowl - yes. Long style appeared in 44.
Smaller cannon blisters - yes, evident in your photo above.
Elevators - a toss up - seems some MA production block had both types. Straight mass balances seem to have started in mid 43.
5 spoke - yes. 4 spokes appeared in 44.

Good reference here: http://spitfiresite.com/2010/04/spitfire-mk-ix-xi-and-xvi-variants-much-varied.html

 

[le_steph40]

Short intake on lower cowl - yes. Long style appeared in 44.
Smaller cannon blisters - yes, evident in your photo above.
Elevators - a toss up - seems some MA production block had both types. Straight mass balances seem to have started in mid 43.
5 spoke - yes. 4 spokes appeared in 44.

Good reference here: http://spitfiresite.com/2010/04/spitfire-mk-ix-xi-and-xvi-variants-much-varied.html

Thanks

 

[Edgar Brooks]

Although early Mk.IXs had a short(ish) carburettor intake, it was different from the standard Mk.V version, being wider, and with a bigger mouth. The longer tropical/temperate intake was introduced 29-12-43, but wasn't made retrospective.
The so-called "single blister" cannon-bay door was not introduced until 7-1-44, but was made retrospective.
Extended-horn elevators were introduced 13-9-43, serial nos having no bearing on which a/c had them, and which didn't. The change was also issued as a leaflet-style modification, so Squadrons could do it, themselves (having been made aware of its impending arrival, 29-3-43), and retro-fit extant airframes.
The pointed, broader-chord "Mk.XII" rudder was introduced 7-2-44, and was mandatory for a/c with the rear fuselage fuel tank (probably low-back XVIs only.)
Wheels remained 5-spoke until July/August 1944, and the 4-spoke, being stronger, were intended for aircraft carrying bombs under the wings. The so-called plain hubs were simply removeable covers, designed to combat mud, snow, or sand, which could be fitted, or removed, at will.

 

[le_steph40]

Although early Mk.IXs had a short(ish) carburettor intake, it was different from the standard Mk.V version, being wider, and with a bigger mouth. The longer tropical/temperate intake was introduced 29-12-43, but wasn't made retrospective.
The so-called "single blister" cannon-bay door was not introduced until 7-1-44, but was made retrospective.
Extended-horn elevators were introduced 13-9-43, serial nos having no bearing on which a/c had them, and which didn't. The change was also issued as a leaflet-style modification, so Squadrons could do it, themselves (having been made aware of its impending arrival, 29-3-43), and retro-fit extant airframes.
The pointed, broader-chord "Mk.XII" rudder was introduced 7-2-44, and was mandatory for a/c with the rear fuselage fuel tank (probably low-back XVIs only.)
Wheels remained 5-spoke until July/August 1944, and the 4-spoke, being stronger, were intended for aircraft carrying bombs under the wings. The so-called plain hubs were simply removeable covers, designed to combat mud, snow, or sand, which could be fitted, or removed, at will.

Thanks Edgar for precisions. So, can I make my model with "single blister" cannon-bay door during Summer-Autumn 1943 (like the picture here Norwegian Spitfire Squadrons left bottom ? There is no date regarding this picture but MA568 left 331st Sqn 23-2-1944...

 

[Edgar Brooks]

While I've learnt, over the years of researching the Spitfire, that you can never say "never," all evidence points to there being only the broad bulge throughout 1943.