Spitfire Mk.Ia X4382 LO-G

[Sluff]

Looking at photos looks like it had the wireless antennae for the TR1133 radio. (most color plates show the older TR9, with wire from tail) Quesion I have is did it have the IFF "cheese cutter" antennae circa Sept.1940 ?

 

[fubar57]

Possibly an earlier time, can't see it here but then I only have one eye

DA WEBS​

 

[fubar57]

The aircraft went to a Maintenance Unit during your time frame so it is possible it got an upgrade

 

[SaparotRob]

The knowledge here is incredible.

 

[Wurger]

In the first post above it can be clearly noticed that the radi antenna mast doesn't have the "pennant" what indicates the newer radi set installed. So no antenna wire for the TR1133 radio set between the top of the mast and the rudder although the fixing point at the rudder top can be stiil seen.
Regarding the IFF system ... the IFF Mk.II that was introduced in 1940 was an independant system of the Radio set and used the lateral antenna. Actually what IFF fit was carried would depend upon what interrogating radar the aircraft was expected to respond to at the time, in that theatre. The IFF antena wires were very thin and can be noticed only if a pic is taken from a certain direction. Even a close up side shots may be not useful. See blow ...

Both enlarged images of the X4382 don't reveal the IFF antenna wire. However the dark dot can be noticed at the roundel in the first image. It may indicates that there was the insulator mounted in the fusealge for the wire. But as I mantioned it above .. the IFF antenna wire appeared when it was expected the radar could work with the IFF Mk.II transponder in order to get the correct respond. During the BoB there were a few planes with the IFF Mk.II installed only. If not, the "Pip-Squeak" system was used rather that could work both with the TR.9D HF or TR.1133 VHF radios using the top fuselage antenna.

 

[Sluff]

Possibly an earlier time, can't see it here but then I only have one eye

View attachment 877525
DA WEBS​

Me too! Makes depth perception iffy working on models. (left is 80% shot from a mini stroke) IFF wires were thin and hard to spot , even under good conditions. (were thinner than radio antennae , I believe) The tail to fuselage "cheese cutters" were coming in about September 40 but were not universal. Only select aircraft in a Sqn had them installed. (Finished Spitfire Mk.I , What - if Spanish Civil War Republican markings . Very early production. Watts 2 blade prop, flat top (first type) canopy, ring & bead sight) I need to re-do that radio wire....

 

[peterob]

The wire is usually hard to see but the insulator in the fuselage, a little dull red 'grommet', is often a give-away sign of the presence of the early IFF, noticeable in the roundel. It appears to be there on X4382, as Wurger has said, so I would say it had the early IFF with wires back to the tail plane.