The Spitfire Site

You're welcome; This might also be of some use: http://forum.1cpublishing.eu/attachment.php?attachmentid=9590&stc=1&d=1337143252

Many thanks for that.  It is a very useful reference and data source.  The warnings on page 7 regarding use of the aft fuselage tanks are interesting - presumably due to longitudinal stability concerns.  Supermarine did seem to take a long time to sort out that problem.  I remain convinced that had there high level pressure to extend the Spit's range from early on, it could have been successfully developed into an effective escort fighter from mid 43. 

Hi Saeta, Don't worry about the etched panels, they weren't there on the real Spitfire Is This photo shows a pre-war 19 Sqn Spitfire ; if you look at the 3rd gun port you'll see that there was a cone-shaped flash hider projecting from the leading edge. These were removed from Spitfires just before the war started and the practice of using the fabric patches started. the 2nd photo from the top of lane's post shows a line up of 609 Sqn Spitfires taken in early-mid June 1940; at first glance the fabric patches, which have been shot through, showing the guns have been fired, look like dark panels on the leading edge, while the innermost gunport hasn't had the patch applied, and there's no hint of a panel line surrounding the port.

Hi Dimitris, Malta: The Spitfire Year or the updated Spitfires Over Malta would be good starting points - perhaps it would be possible to contact Brian Cull via Grub Street Publications?

One place to look immediately is http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com/Images/spit/SPIT9MANUAL.pdf which gives some baselines for fuel consumption for Merlin 60 series powered Spitfires (page 36)

(iii) Fuel consumptions:
The approximate fuel consumptions (gals./hr.) are as
follows:
Weak mixture (as obtained at +7 lb./sq.in. boost and below):

Boost
lb./sq.in.                              R.p.m.
                        2,650    2,400    2,200    2,000    1,800
+7                      80           __      __          __         __
+4                      71           66      61          54         —
+2                      66           61      57          50         43
0                        60           55      51          45         39
- 2                      53           49      45          40         35
-4                        45          42      38          34         30

Rich mixture (as obtained above -f 7 lb./sq.in. boost):
Boost
Ib./sq.in.             R.p.m.         gals./hr.
+ 15                    3,000             130
+12                     2,850             105
NOTE.—The above approximate consumptions apply for all
Marks of engine. Accurate figures giving the variation
in consumption with height and as between low and
high gear are not available.

I have the Spitfire VII and VIII pilot's notes and the figures are identical

http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com/Images/spit/Spit2Manual.pdf

gives some basic consumption figures for early Merlin engined Spitfires while http://www.scribd.com/doc/4599427/Pilots-Notes-Spitfire-V-Seafire-IIIIII will provide some for Merlin 45-55 series engines. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much data on given speeds, altitudes and loads immediately available in Pilot's Notes etc; this will take more digging, probably at the likes of the National Archives, Kew for RAE or A&AEE data, or even contacting Roll-Royce archives.

The structural piece between F11 and F12 was a spine longeron "V"section as far as I know,if anyone has any old pics from the Y2K spitfire restoration one pic has a good shot of that area.

Took us years of research to find all the necessary drawings needed just to do the fuselage.It is like starting a jigsaw puzzle with most of the pieces missing
The gunsight was a standard part and there are many around for sale on ebay.If on a tight budget if a local museum has a British fighter aircraft you may get access to measure it up.
Back on the drawings if you scale up the GA drawings to full size you can take measurements for manufacture for parts ..
Grab as many pics as possible too.My Spitporn folder is currently over 2 gigs and growing
Good luck

I am researching the range (radius of action) capability of the Spitfire.  There is reasonably extensive information on the standard internal and external fuel volumes eg in Morgan and Shacklady's book.  What are rarer are fuel consumption figures, eg for given speeds, altitudes and loads.  Details of the American modifications done to 2 Spitfires at Wright Field to extend their range would also be of great interest.  The reason for the research is to assess the Spitfire's potential as a long range escort fighter.  My initial research suggests that it had considerable potential which was never fulfilled - partly due to pressure on Supermarine to develop new marks in sufficient numbers (leaving little spare resource) and partly due to official disbelief that it would be possible.  Any data sources known to anyone?

Hello friends
Recently i try to find operational record books of 126 squadron in Malta especially September and October 1942
Mr Edgar Brooks didnt find any archives in the National Archives, neither i at the online documents becouse the were propably destroyed or anything may happen to them
So i wonder if anyone of you may have something about the missions flown then or any details about these 2 months.
Sadly there isnt a book about 126 sqn.
Any help would be great gentleman
Thanks in advance
Dimitris

Italian Air Force fought with Spitfire V during the final WWII months , making part of  the BAF (Balkan Air Force), mainly escorting bombers and Airacobras against the nazis. Then after the war several MK IX  flew within Aeronautica Militare until the mid fifties. Remaining best examples were sold to Israel and Burma.
Italian Spits documentation is very sparse and the only video (WOW! in color!) available is at the Imperial War Museum website.
Digit Balkan Air Force and you'll find a 11 minutes silent 16 mm film with RAF Mk.IX, Italian MK.V and Italian P-39s in flight or  taxying in Canne airport , south of Italy  -  march 1945. Fantastic!

all the best

Franco