Tolga ULGUR Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Hi all, While examining Kotare's Spitfire, I noticed a detail that I had never seen before. As you can see in the pictures, there are two marks at the bottom. Its location is like that of reconnaissance cameras. I have never come across them in any drawing or photograph before. Does anyone have any information on this subject? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Looks like inspection or access hatches? Tolga ULGUR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thierry laurent Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Location of flare launchers! Tolga ULGUR, Pete Roberts, Christa and 2 others 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 (edited) 30 minutes ago, thierry laurent said: Location of flare launchers! ah jawohl, the anti Luftwaffe Chaff system........ Edited August 6, 2023 by Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 FYI: Aero Detail drawings does not show any hatches or panel lines there, but they do show the cutout in the bottom of the wing flange. Interesting! Tolga ULGUR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juggernut Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Aren't there flare launch tubes shown in the instructions? I'd imagine those panel lines are indeed meant for flares. LSP_Ray, scvrobeson and Tolga ULGUR 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinnfb Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 TAG, CharmyDown, RadBaron and 8 others 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Roberts Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 (edited) They are the doors for the flare tubes located behind the pilot. The first Spitfires had two tubes but by around mid-June 1940 the forward most tube was removed. By the time of Mk V the flare tube had been moved to around the mid-rear fuselage, firing up just to the starboard side of the spine, hence the small red patch seen on the spine. Edited August 6, 2023 by Pete Roberts scvrobeson, LSP_Ray, Kagemusha and 3 others 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Roberts Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Just now, Martinnfb said: This an Air Sea Rescue Spitfire. I believe the early flare tubes were re-instated on these aircraft to allow dinghy carriage/release. LSP_Ray, Martinnfb, scvrobeson and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinnfb Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Pete Roberts, Christa, MikeMaben and 9 others 9 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thierry laurent Posted August 7, 2023 Share Posted August 7, 2023 8 hours ago, Jack said: ah jawohl, the anti Luftwaffe Chaff system........ Well... I was not kidding... TAG, CRAZY IVAN5, Tolga ULGUR and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolga ULGUR Posted August 7, 2023 Author Share Posted August 7, 2023 Thanks a lot for your replies, appreciated indeed Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John1 Posted August 7, 2023 Share Posted August 7, 2023 That's a pretty big flare. Not sure I'd want that thing a few feet behind my butt on a combat mission! One errant mg round and you've got a real "hot seat". Landrotten Highlander, scvrobeson, CRAZY IVAN5 and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Mike Posted August 7, 2023 Share Posted August 7, 2023 Anyone else notice the prybar in the cockpit door? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolga ULGUR Posted August 7, 2023 Author Share Posted August 7, 2023 4 minutes ago, LSP_Mike said: Anyone else notice the prybar in the cockpit door? Are you talking about the picture that Martin posted? I think this type of doors were not used before MkVs. It may have been replaced later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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