Author Topic: Spitfire on Floats  (Read 10859 times)

samuraj77

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Spitfire on Floats
« on: April 18, 2010, 11:37:48 PM »
Hi lads, just received a model of Spitfire mk Vb on floats, so I was wondering if any of you have some additional photos or drawings...
The kit I got is old PM model kit and it is rather poor, but has floats that I am going to use as a base for my kit...
Thanks in advance...

Spitfire VB W3760

Letipapa

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Re: Spitfire on Floats
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2010, 12:46:54 AM »
I could only find this on net, that is probably sure Mk Vb on floats. I hope you will find something better, and also that our mates here have some really good photo's. ;) :-wave

TanjaKisa

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Re: Spitfire on Floats
« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2010, 03:33:16 PM »
« Last Edit: April 20, 2010, 03:38:25 PM by TanjaKisa »

samuraj77

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Re: Spitfire on Floats
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2010, 09:06:25 PM »
Letipapa and Tanja thanks, very usefull informations for me :-ok

Letipapa

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Re: Spitfire on Floats
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2010, 11:59:28 PM »
There are also this photo's of Mk V but I don-t know which variant (photo 1-3), than two photo's (4 & 5) of Mk IX, than two Spits with floats (unknown type) and one color views drawing of Mk I (type 342).

Well, maybe this also help you somehow, one never knows. :) :-wave
« Last Edit: April 25, 2010, 12:56:51 AM by Letipapa »

Offline mfg495

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Re: Spitfire on Floats
« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2010, 10:38:37 AM »
Spitfire Floatplanes (types 355 & 359)

With the German invasion of Norway in April 1940 the RAF took an interest in the concept of using floatplane fighters in areas where airfields were not immediately available. To this end a Spitfire Mk I R6722 was taken in hand at the Woolston factory to be modified and mounted on Blackburn Roc floats. Tank tests were carried out at Farnborough, using a 1/7th scale model, it was found that the concept was basically sound, although the vertical tail surfaces would need to be enlarged to counter-balance the side area of the floats. The end of the Battle of Norway and the need for as many Spitfires as possible meant that R6772 was converted back to an ordinary fighter without being flown

With the entry of Japan into the war the concept was revived in early 1942. A Spitfire V W3760 was fitted with a pair of floats 25 ft 7 in (7.8 m) long, mounted on cantilever legs. This aircraft was powered by a Merlin 45 driving a four bladed propeller of 11 ft 3 in (3.43 m) diameter (3.4 m). A Vokes filter was fitted to the carburettor air intake and under the tail an extra fin extension was added. Other changes included external lifting points forward of and behind the cockpit and a spin-recovery parachute with a rudder balance-horn guard.

The Spitfire floatplane was first flown on 12 October 1942 by Jeffrey Quill. Soon afterwards the Vokes filter was replaced by an Aero-Vee filter, similar to that on later Merlin 61 series aircraft, which was extended to prevent water entry, and full Mk VB armament was installed. Two more VBs EP751 and EP754 were converted by Folland and all three floatplanes were transported to Egypt, arriving in October 1943. At the time it was thought that the floatplanes could operate from concealed bases in the Dodecanese Islands, disrupting supply lines to German outposts in the area which relied on resupply by transport aircraft. This scheme came to naught when a large number of German troops, backed by the Luftwaffe, took over the British held islands of Kos and Leros. No other role could be found for the floatplane Spitfires, which languished in Egypt, operating from the Great Bitter Lake.

Specifications for the VB based floatplane included a maximum speed of 324 mph (521 km/h) at 19,500 ft (521 km/h at 5,943 m), a maximum rate of climb of 2,450 ft/min at 15,500 ft (12.45 m/s at 4,724 m) and an estimated service ceiling of 33,400 ft (10,180 m)

In the spring of 1944, with the prospect of use in the Pacific Theatre, a Spitfire IX MJ892 was converted to a floatplane. This used the same components as the earlier Mk VB conversions. Jeffrey Quill wrote:

    "The Spitfire IX on floats was faster than the standard Hurricane. Its handling on the water was extremely good and its only unusual feature was a tendency to "tramp" from side to side on the floats, or to "waddle" a bit when at high speed in the plane."

Soon after testing started the idea of using floatplane fighters was dropped and MJ982 was converted back to a landplane.

Five aircraft were converted:

    * Mk I - R6722
    * F.Mk Vb - W3760
    * Mk V - EP751 and EP754
    * Mk IXb - MJ892

Source - internet  :))

ΚΑΘΟΡΩΜΕΝ ΑΙΣΤΟΙ
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samuraj77

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Re: Spitfire on Floats
« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2010, 03:16:48 PM »
Thanks Mick  :-flo

Offline No.1

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Re: Spitfire on Floats
« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2010, 07:42:19 PM »
Until this topic I thought that there was only two float Spitfires!

Offline mfg495

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Re: Spitfire on Floats
« Reply #8 on: April 24, 2010, 09:40:25 AM »
Until this topic I thought that there was only two float Spitfires!
As I my friend

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Offline No.1

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Re: Spitfire on Floats
« Reply #9 on: May 18, 2010, 07:27:53 AM »
I was surprised when I see that I have this  :-eek The same as on Letipapa post but larger size :))

Letipapa

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Re: Spitfire on Floats
« Reply #10 on: May 18, 2010, 07:42:58 PM »
Think you need some young pretty lady archivist to classify you photo's, for easier and faster use  :)) :)) :-smey :-wave

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Re: Spitfire on Floats
« Reply #11 on: May 18, 2010, 07:47:16 PM »
Quote
some young pretty lady archivist

This is not my need, this is my dream  :-love

Letipapa

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Re: Spitfire on Floats
« Reply #12 on: May 21, 2010, 12:27:30 PM »
 :-flo

Offline Wingman81

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Re: Spitfire on Floats
« Reply #13 on: June 03, 2010, 06:04:37 PM »
 :-obey