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Re: Spitful reconstruction possibiltiy?

Posted by Christer on Tue Aug 06, 2002 10:15:03 AM

In reply top Spitful reconstruction possibiltiy? posted by Cees on Tue Aug 06, 2002 08:37:54 AM

As I?ve understood what I?ve read about the development of Mitchells masterpiece, the twenty series Spitfires and the Spiteful was developed almost in parallel.

They were both based on a Spitfire Mk.VIII fuselage which was suitably modified and strengthened. In the case of the Spiteful, the specification was later amended to a Spitfire Mk.XIV fuselage.

The first type 371 wing was fitted to NN660, a high back Spitfire Mk.XIV with the normal tail.
The first true prototype Spiteful was NN664, another Spitfire Mk.XIV but, this one was a low back and initially it had the normal tail. Soon after first flight it was subjected to extensive modifications which included fitting of the larger tail empennage.

The "final" Spiteful fuselage was very much like the Spitfire Mk.22-24 fuselage but, IIRC with a more straight rear fuselage top line. Some of them also had the extended air intake of the Seafire Mk.47.
The Spitfire Mk.21 never had the Spiteful type tail and the Spitfire Mk.22 received it when production was under way, all Spitfire Mk.22s delivered to the RAF were subsequently modified.
Also the first production Spiteful, RB515, was fitted with the small Spitfire Mk.21 tail but, while beeing repaired after a wheels up landing it received the larger unit.

In my feeble mind this indicates that when the wing problem is solved such a project would be more than half way towards successful completion. If a suitable fuselage without wings can be sourced, that is!

A name mentioned in the context of scrapping Spitefuls, the last three from production were never even testflow but, were delivered directly to a John Dale.

Christer

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