What are these fixtures on the Spitfire Canopy?

[Saville]

In viewing several shows regarding the Spitfire, I notice they all seem to show a canopy fixture in common. There seems to be a ball (red or grey in the photos below) affixed to the canopy - what do these do? What are they there for?

thanks!

[Jack Frost]

A rear-view mirror, maybe?
Jack

[Saville]

A rear-view mirror, maybe?
Jack

Hi Jack,

I don't think so - one is a front view and one is a rear view and there's no mirrir visible. Plus those arms they are on are very flexible.

[51fixer]

The Red Ball object is connected to a couple of cables that lead to pins that release the canopy in an emergency.

[Saville]

The Red Ball object is connected to a couple of cables that lead to pins that release the canopy in an emergency.

Thanks much!

[51fixer]

Here is the ball in our canopy-

[One-0-Wonder]

As 51fixer stated, the red ball is part of the emergency release mechanism for the canopy. It's connected to 2 flexible cables that run down conduit to each lower side of the canopy, with their ends terminating in pins. These pins go through the canopy frame and attach to the bronze carriages that are captured in the airframe canopy rails. When the red knob is pulled, the pins withdraw from the carriages, which are what hold the canopy to the airframe, and it's free to fall from the aircraft. This system was actually designed by Martin-Baker.

[JDK]

This system was actually designed by Martin-Baker.

That's very interesting, as when the system was designed (1930s) Martin Baker were another small struggling aircraft design company, and it was after the death of test pilot Captain Valentine Baker in 1942 that James Martin became devoted to escape systems - with the change of direction of the company that we know today.

Of course it may also be seen as one of the many items that Sir James Martin, inveterate inventor, turned out, rather than typical of his company.

http://www.martin-baker.com/Sub-Navigat ... artin.aspx

http://www.martin-baker.com/Sub-Navigat ... r-MB3.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine_ ... 28pilot%29

One lives and learns!

[One-0-Wonder]

This system was actually designed by Martin-Baker.

That's very interesting, as when the system was designed (1930s) Martin Baker were another small struggling aircraft design company, and it was after the death of test pilot Captain Valentine Baker in 1942 that James Martin became devoted to escape systems - with the change of direction of the company that we know today.

I was the engineer on the Mk XVI Spitfire SL721 many years ago. At one point, while overhauling and servicing the canopy and release mechanism, I discovered the words "Martin Baker" actually cast into the "red ball". I'm going to assume they were responsibe for more than just that one part of the release mechanism, but I could be wrong as is often the case.

[Dudley Henriques]

This system was actually designed by Martin-Baker.

That's very interesting, as when the system was designed (1930s) Martin Baker were another small struggling aircraft design company, and it was after the death of test pilot Captain Valentine Baker in 1942 that James Martin became devoted to escape systems - with the change of direction of the company that we know today.

I was the engineer on the Mk XVI Spitfire SL721 many years ago. At one point, while overhauling and servicing the canopy and release mechanism, I discovered the words "Martin Baker" actually cast into the "red ball". I'm going to assume they were responsibe for more than just that one part of the release mechanism, but I could be wrong as is often the case.

Bill Ross' bird. Bill was a friend.
Dudley Henriques