Bald Eagle Aviation

richkolasa · **Posted:** Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:29 am

warbird1 wrote:

richkolasa wrote:

Looks nice. Couldn't be too hard, 5 big pieces. I put together a 1/18th scale Hellcat in similar fashion the other day:

By the way, that's a weird lighting situation with the SNJ. It's like a certain part of it is all washed out. Hmm...

Rich

Uuummm, Rich, you need to go back to aircraft recognition school!

DOH! Sorry, I had two TBMs already, but the Hellcat is the latest. Just posted the wrong link, but I'd be wrong anyway, cause that model pictured is a TBF!

In the future, please remember that I don't need your help looking silly, I am fine on my own. :oops:

Rich

51fixer · **Posted:** Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:14 pm

We have been busy hooking things up.
Cycled the gear a few times. Hope to have pics up later.
Maybe we'll have the prop on and running tomorrow.
Rich

51fixer · **Posted:** Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:02 pm

Some shots of items on this Spit.
R/H or Starboard Radiator. The core on this side is split between main radiator cooler and the aftercooler cooler. The L/H or Port side is split between main cooler and oil cooler.

R/H wing root with pre-oiler pump.

L/H wing root. Fuel transfer from 15 US gal wing leading edge tanks is accomplished by the tubing which meets as a T. Wing spars are bolted together by pins. The heads on these pins are round with a slot. The other end is threaded but stepped down in size. Each side has 5 ea 1 1/16" dia pins and 2 ea 23/32" dia pins. This side has a fuel filter housing as well.

View of the L/H wing at the fuselage.

Gear Down.

Gear up.

Rich

JDK · **Posted:** Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:17 pm

51fixer wrote:

Gear Down.

Gear up.

Go on, try saying 'undercarriage' or better still 'chassis'. It'll be worth it for seeing JB's face. :lol:

51fixer · **Posted:** Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:32 pm

JDK wrote:

51fixer wrote:

Gear Down.

Gear up.

Go on, try saying 'undercarriage' or better still 'chassis'. It'll be worth it for seeing JB's face. :lol:

The gear selector is labeled Chassis.
I'm still to 'Colonial' to use the 'King's English' to describe those items.
Besides, I think that is described in Section 5 of the manual.
Donny, Achmed or Fred will understand.
Rich

JDK · **Posted:** Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:39 pm

G'day Rich,

51fixer wrote:

Donny, Achmed or Fred will understand.

Well, if you can understand them you certainly are in an exclusive group.

ww2John · **Posted:** Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:07 pm

Terrific post - pictures, descriptions & explanations.
Many thanks for the early Christmas presents.
Can't wait for the New Year's flights.
:spit

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11319

Are you sure that the Spitfire was designed for a water cooled engine? Those radiators seem to be scabbed on as such an afterthought! No wonder you don't see many Spitfires racing at Reno, might as well have added some permanently extended speed brakes...

JDK · **Posted:** Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:49 pm

bdk wrote:

Are you sure that the Spitfire was designed for a water cooled engine? Those radiators seem to be scabbed on as such an afterthought! No wonder you don't see many Spitfires racing at Reno, might as well have added some permanently extended speed brakes...

Hmmm.

Prototype and up to Mk.V had one (smaller) radiator and a circular section oil cooler. The design is a generation earlier than the P-51, but the ducting isn't that different, in that the rad face is the full height of the wing and depth of the radiator, with the entry to the housing being about 1/2 that height, likewise the exit with a variable flap - just like the Mustangs' in principle, in fact (the Hurricane's, on the other hand was a radiator in a housing with no effort at taking advantage the venturi effect).

The two stage Merlin Spitfires had two radiator boxes, the oil cooler being 1/3 (or so) of one of them, while the Griffon jobs were bigger still.

Bob Jens' Spitfire XIV was raced, but no Spitfire has been heavilly modified for US racing - like everything else, the rads would be one item that would be addressed for that, but they aren't as 'barn-door' like as you think. What the speed-loss/gain is I don't know, but closer (behind) the Mustang radiator set up than you'd think.

Odd one out is the High Speed Spitfire which was aimed at the world air speed record - but wasn't in the right league once the Germans got going with the Heinkel and Messerschmitts.

Jim Beasley · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 4:51 am

the S.6.B didn't have the underwing radiators (but it sure had big speed brakes). Anyone know whether the radiators were strategically placed for drag purposes on the Supermarine racers?

bdk wrote:

Are you sure that the Spitfire was designed for a water cooled engine? Those radiators seem to be scabbed on as such an afterthought! No wonder you don't see many Spitfires racing at Reno, might as well have added some permanently extended speed brakes...

Jim Beasley · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 4:56 am

We reject the Kings English (and that spelling???) although Rich and Fred have invented many new curse words

JDK wrote:

51fixer wrote:

Gear Down.

Gear up.

Go on, try saying 'undercarriage' or better still 'chassis'. It'll be worth it for seeing JB's face. :lol:

PeterA · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:27 am

Jim Beasley wrote:

the S.6.B didn't have the underwing radiators (but it sure had big speed brakes). Anyone know whether the radiators were strategically placed for drag purposes on the Supermarine racers?

Jim,

No bullets flying here.

The wing is the radiator.

PeterA

JDK · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:31 am

Jim Beasley wrote:

We reject the Kings English...

Don't worry, everyone noticed.

The radiators are on the sides of the fuselage.

The Macchi MC.72 was covered in radiator...

Jim Beasley · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:33 am

now that this bird lives in Rocky-ville, I think Mitchell is rolling in his grave. Yo Adrian!

JDK wrote:

Jim Beasley wrote:

We reject the Kings English...

Don't worry, everyone noticed.

JDK · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:37 am

PeterA wrote:

Jim Beasley wrote:

the S.6.B didn't have the underwing radiators (but it sure had big speed brakes). Anyone know whether the radiators were strategically placed for drag purposes on the Supermarine racers?

Jim,

No bullets flying here.

The wing is the radiator.

PeterA

JDK wrote:

The radiators are on the sides of the fuselage.

Take your pick.

Both actually, IIRC.

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