Warbird Information Exchange

Not sure what's the deal going on in this photo.
Someone posted the following: "Photographic target to test the clarity of the photos taken from an aircraft."

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

The serial in the subject header is incorrect - it should read A2115. The joint BARG/Air-Britain book on Royal Navy Instructional Airframes lists it as a Seafire F.15 not a Mv.VII (sic) as in the header. It goes on to say "At Arbroath 1950, coded J. At Farnborough 9.51 semi-derelict with 13 short blades on top of fuselage. Still there 9.53". Unfortunately it does not elaborate on the purpose of the blades. The earlier BARG book with the same name gives exactly the same information. There is no indication of the Seafire's original serial in either book.

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David Legg
Editor, The Catalina News
The Catalina Society
Author: Consolidated PBY Catalina - The Peacetime Record

There is a longer thread on this topic here https://forum.keypublishing.com/forum/h ... ing-tested which I had not previously noticed.

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David Legg
Editor, The Catalina News
The Catalina Society
Author: Consolidated PBY Catalina - The Peacetime Record

The scheme looks similar to other schemes that were used in film test that allowed engineers to calculate the exact speed of filmed events.

I don’t think the blade was cut down. Looks like it was ground down in a gear up landing. The tail wheel is extended, the maingear is out of the well,and the scoop on the cowling appears ground down. Maybe a gear up landing with the engine shutdown and a prop made from material other than metal and or wood. Looking closely at the pavement behind the prop and airplane there seems to be skid marks.

...and the rudder lock in place.

Note the vandalism to the rudder fabric.

This Seafire XV has not just made a wheels up landing.

PeterA

The 'A' number indicates that this is a 'Ground Instructional' airframe of the Royal Navy. Strictly non-flying.

Lee Howard advises:- Catapult trials, the lamps in between the vertical fin plates were used for camera calibration testing.

Here a later shot, minus outer wings, when the Seafire was consigned to the scrap area at Farnborough in the early 1950's.

PeterA

Shame we can't make out those numbers on the fin

Looks to be 'FL' sub-contractor to 'CO' main contractor Cunliffe Owen.

PeterA

Peter


So is Cunliffe Owen must barrow the choice down a bit?

PR338 to PR379
PR391 to PR436
PR449 to PR479
PR492 to PR552

“First 50 fitted with “A Frame” arrester hooks, remainder sting type gear

Ok so what arresting type is that I the photo?

“J” could this be 803 Sqn Notts Corner which had a number of similar codes Seafire xV?

A Frame according to Flypast Forum

Isn't that an A-fame arrestor lowered below the roundel in PeterA's 1st photo above?

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