And now for something completely different ~ Spitfire MK356

bomberflight · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 4:56 pm

Just when you think there will be no more action on the airfield today ..... a pilot from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight arrives to collect one of their Spitfires that's been undergoing winter maintenance at Duxford.

The aircraft has been repainted and now represents UF-Q of No.601 ( County of London ) Squadron, RAF.

This silver paint scheme was used during late 1944 when this Squadron carried out fighter bomber missions over the Balkans from bases in Southern Italy.

lestweforget · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 5:11 pm

Thanks for posting the pics. That is honestly one of the nicest schemes I have ever seen on a Spit. I Look forward to seeing her in the air . Cheers.

RickH · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 5:15 pm

They must have decided to roll it out in honor of July 4 here in the Colonies ! :twisted:

It does look really nice in that scheme. Were any of the Spits ever delivered in natural finish ?

kenlyco · **Joined:** Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:05 pm **Posts:** 656

Looks like it would be tight with the canopy closed.

Dan Jones · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 5:37 pm

That's hot. Almost as cool as TD248's old paint scheme.

Bill Greenwood · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:05 pm

Kenlyco, as for the canopy being a tight fit when closed; not that much. The standard Spitfire seat has a long silver handle like a parking brake on the right side. This controls the seat height and there are 5 notches or positions of vertical adjustment. It looks like this pilot has the seat all the way up, perhaps for taxi and runup. To close the canopy he can just duck his head or lower the seat a notch. Once it is closed there is enough headroom if wearing just a headset, or maybe of the lower type Cambell ones. This looks to be more of a jet type one and might touch the top with the seat in the 5th notch. I wonder who the lucky guy is, looks a little like Paul Day?
Can you imagine flying a Spitfire at Duxford and having blue sky and the sun out? That'll spoil ya!

kenlyco · **Joined:** Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:05 pm **Posts:** 656

Bill I figured there was a height adj. but man that must be a little claustrophobic especially for a extended flight, and tell me how the hell does someone get in the rear seat? I never worked around Spits.

Ontario-Warbird · **Joined:** Tue Jun 14, 2005 8:56 pm **Posts:** 407

Very nice, good to see a Spit in a non camo scheme.

Cheers Dave C

AIRIC · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 8:48 pm

Sweet looking machine. Thanks for posting.

Eric

ColFord · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:28 pm

I believe that S/L Al Pinner of the BBMF has had the test flying and flying duties on MK356 since her winter maintenance at Duxford. The BBMF site and a couple of other aviation forums have indicated that S/L Pinner is the lucky chap to try MK356 out in her new colour scheme. All is reported to be well for the summer flying season in the UK.

Regards,

Bill Greenwood · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 11:00 pm

As for getting in the back seat of that Spitfire, the answer is easy, THERE AIN'T NO BACK SEAT. It's a single seat fighter, not a blooming taxi! Unlike many Mustangs and some other fighters,I have not seen any jump seats in a Spitfire. The only ones with a second seat are the dual cockpit version like my MK IX. Around 20 were converted by Supermarine, and there have been a few non factory modern conversions. The original ones like mine have the large bubble rear canopy, so quite a bit of head room. Even those like Carolyn Grace's with the lower rear canopy are easy to get in the rear cockpit as both canopies slide back to enter or leave, and there is a side door for each cockpit.

kenlyco · **Joined:** Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:05 pm **Posts:** 656

Ok that answers that.

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And now for something completely different ~ Spitfire MK356

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