I recall that later Spitfire marks were equipped with the griffon engine and counter rotating propeller gear. These were, if memory serves, the last couple of variants.
She was originally a Mark XIX but was later restored using a cannibalised Griffon 57 engine from an Avro Shackleton. Bags of Ooomph for a speed record attempt.
Not a trainspotter really but I asked an ex-Crab who apparently is.
Rather a good idea given the CAA's refusal to grant CoA's to Shackletons without a respar. Plenty of Griffon 57s around. How about a Martin-Baker MB5 build for the world speed record?
The contra-rotating props do remove the need for constant rudder inputs with speed and power changes and make the aeroplane a lot easier to handle. This one was built at Chino with a view to an attempt on a piston-engined time-to-height record, rather than top speed - actually in service the five-blade Griffon Spitfires were always slightly faster straight and level than the contra-prop versions, but the latter had better acceleration and rate of climb.
However, the record attempt never happened, and the aeroplane has been sold to France where the current owner has no intention of attempting the record.
9 comments:
Griffin powered?
Sniper
... hes listening to Classical Gold I think...
A Model 22 and as anon said griffon powered.
Now I know Theo puts up some nice, ahem, pictures, that that folks is truly a lovely bird.
Counter-rotating props, late war.wh
I recall that later Spitfire marks were equipped with the griffon engine and counter rotating propeller gear. These were, if memory serves, the last couple of variants.
How about
She was originally a Mark XIX but was later restored using a cannibalised Griffon 57 engine from an Avro Shackleton. Bags of Ooomph for a speed record attempt.
Not a trainspotter really but I asked an ex-Crab who apparently is.
Rather a good idea given the CAA's refusal to grant CoA's to Shackletons without a respar. Plenty of Griffon 57s around. How about a Martin-Baker MB5 build for the world speed record?
Would this configuration relieve torque stressing? The need for heavy rudder input on acceleration?
The contra-rotating props do remove the need for constant rudder inputs with speed and power changes and make the aeroplane a lot easier to handle. This one was built at Chino with a view to an attempt on a piston-engined time-to-height record, rather than top speed - actually in service the five-blade Griffon Spitfires were always slightly faster straight and level than the contra-prop versions, but the latter had better acceleration and rate of climb.
However, the record attempt never happened, and the aeroplane has been sold to France where the current owner has no intention of attempting the record.
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