TurboSpit

[TomZ]

TurboSpit



Just like the conversion of Mustang VH-UFO in 1970 in 1977 a Supermarine Spitfire Mk-24 was fitted with a RR Dart turbo prop engine.



The manufacturer meant to acquire a number of ex RAF Spitfire to convert them with the turbo prop engine. The idea was to market the aircraft as a cheap ground attack aircraft. However, there was no interest and only one prototype was built.



It was evaluated by the RAF but no orders were placed.



Model: Airfix 1/72, AIM Dart Engine

TomZ

[PR19_Kit]

Very sleek, and a logical idea too. 

Where's the exhaust though?

[jcf]

Intriguing. 

Bearing in mind that P-51 firewall is further forward than the firewall of the Spitfire - one
of the reasons that the switch to the heavier Griffon was fairly straightforward on the Spit,
the Spit nose could possibly be shorter.  The Mustang's firewall is roughly at the wing leading
edge, the Spitfire's lines up with the wing spar.

[TomZ]

Where's the exhaust though?

On the right side, just as it was in the Dart Mustang.



TomZ

[Dizzyfugu]

Bearing in mind that P-51 firewall is further forward than the firewall of the Spitfire - one
of the reasons that the switch to the heavier Griffon was fairly straightforward on the Spit,
the Spit nose could possibly be shorter.  The Mustang's firewall is roughly at the wing leading
edge, the Spitfire's lines up with the wing spar.

I'd doubt that - because the center of gravity would have to be kept where it is. The lighter turboprop would certainly need a compensation, so that the long nose looks quite plausible to me.

See the F+W 3605 that was derived from the 3603:





Nevertheless, a plausible and sleek build. 

[PR19_Kit]

Thanks Tom, I wondered if it was there or directed out of the underside of the nose.

[comrade harps]

Cool.

Gets me thinking of a COIN version, camouflaged, with a bunch of stuff hanging off beefed-up and clipped wings (maybe even tip tanks).

[zenrat]

Very good Tom.

Bearing in mind that P-51 firewall is further forward than the firewall of the Spitfire - one
of the reasons that the switch to the heavier Griffon was fairly straightforward on the Spit,
the Spit nose could possibly be shorter.  The Mustang's firewall is roughly at the wing leading
edge, the Spitfire's lines up with the wing spar.

I'd doubt that - because the center of gravity would have to be kept where it is. The lighter turboprop would certainly need a compensation, so that the long nose looks quite plausible to me.

See the F+W 3605 that was derived from the 3603:

...Nevertheless, a plausible and sleek build. 

I agree with Jon.  If in both cases the Dart is replacing a Merlin then to retain the CoG surely it's location in relation to the firewall would be the same in both cases?

[PR19_Kit]

But the Dart is 400 lbs lighter than a Merlin..............

[The Rat]

Beastfulness! 

[Tophe]

Wonderful! Great enrichment to the Spitfire family!

[KiwiZac]

Brilliant! I like it a lot! I was thinking of VH-UFO the other day so this is a happy coincidence. I want to do one now.

See the F+W 3605

No no no, I NEVER want to see them! That nose! Gah!