Fairey Battle Whiffs

[PR19_Kit]

Probably, a Spitfire MkIX had two radiators, one under each wing, whereas the earlier MkVs had one rad and one oil coller.

The 2 stage Merlin was also longer than the single stage engines.

[zenrat]

Probably, a Spitfire MkIX had two radiators, one under each wing, whereas the earlier MkVs had one rad and one oil coller.

The 2 stage Merlin was also longer than the single stage engines.

Thanks Kit.
Length can be added.  I was thinking of fitting the lower part of the cowling from an Airfix old mould Mosquito (with an added intake) and a prop with a spinner so I can do it then.  I'm sure it's not too much in scale anyway.
Radiators will not be an issue.  The Special Hobby Spit Mk24 and Seafire 47 kits have spare radiators and I have one of each.  Plus whatever else is in the parts boxes.

[Mossie]

Another option is for a ventral scoop.  The Hawker Henley Vulture test bed was quite spectacular:
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[PR19_Kit]

The 24 and 47 radiators are SERIOUS! All the Griffon engined Spitfire variants had much deeper radiators than even the Mk IX, X, & XIs.

[jcf]

Lumsden gives the following lengths for the various Merlin series:
Single speed/single stage: 69"
Two speed/single stage: 71"
Two speed/two stage: 88.7"
The two/two engine is only slightly wider
but it also 3" less in height. 

The length differences are at the rear of
the engine. The firewall of the Battle is
also the forward wall of the cockpit. This
means that, unlike the Spitfire and Mustang,
in the real world the nose would have to
be lengthened, but the delta would probably
be only in the region of 12", a neglible 1/6"
in 1/72nd.

[zenrat]

Another option is for a ventral scoop.  The Hawker Henley Vulture test bed was quite spectacular:
You cannot view this attachment.

I do have the remains of a Mustang fuselage in the stash...

The 24 and 47 radiators are SERIOUS! All the Griffon engined Spitfire variants had much deeper radiators than even the Mk IX, X, & XIs.

That's where the radiators on the Tophe Vampire come from.  But I did find some shallower ones as well.

Lumsden gives the following lengths for the various Merlin series:
Single speed/single stage: 69"
Two speed/single stage: 71"
Two speed/two stage: 88.7"
The two/two engine is only slightly wider
but it also 3" less in height.

The length differences are at the rear of
the engine. The firewall of the Battle is
also the forward wall of the cockpit. This
means that, unlike the Spitfire and Mustang,
in the real world the nose would have to
be lengthened, but the delta would probably
be only in the region of 12", a neglible 1/6"
in 1/72nd.

So, just over 4mm to add.  Thanks Jon.

[NARSES2]

I'm currently musing on a Fairey Battle Wif, mine would simply be a paint job though. Awaiting the promised new tool from Fromm-Azure though.

[zenrat]

Another question re the two-two Merlin.

The installation of a 2/2 engine in a Mosquito can be identified by an additional intake under the spinner.
If my research (looking at cutaway drawings of Mosquitos) is correct then this is for an intercooler radiator.
Is there any reason why this intercooler could not be mounted on top of the engine, in front of the cockpit instead?

[jcf]

Another question re the two-two Merlin.

The installation of a 2/2 engine in a Mosquito can be identified by an additional intake under the spinner.
If my research (looking at cutaway drawings of Mosquitos) is correct then this is for an intercooler radiator.
Is there any reason why this intercooler could not be mounted on top of the engine, in front of the cockpit instead?

The intercooler on all 2/2 engines is in the same place, on the top of the engine, the placement of the
radiator would depend on cooling requirements, airflow requirements and if you have enough space to
install a radiator of the required size.
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You can see on this photo of a 2/2 Spitfire that the distance between the aft end of the intercooler and the
firewall is minimal, you'd probably have the same issue with the Battle. Exacerbated by the firewall being
the forward wall of the cockpit, meaning no space in which to mount a radiator. The Spitfire intercooler
radiator is in the starboard wing.
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The P-51 installation placed the intercooler/aftercooler radiator back with the main engine coolant radiator in the belly.
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This drawing shows very well what you'd be dealing with in the Battle.
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[zenrat]

Excellent.  Thanks Jon.
Once again you have provided what I need.
On the 2/2 Battle the intercooler radiator could go on top of the intercooler - where the coolant header tank is on the standard Battle.  In fact the intercooler and its radiator could be one unit.
The coolant header tank on the 2/2 Battle now being where it is on a Mosquito (and a Spit and Mustang   - behind the spinner.
The location of the coolant header tank explains the sloped top of the Battle (and Hurricane and Defiant) cowlings compared to the level top of the Mossie (and 'stang and Spit).  Something I had been wondering about.

[jcf]

Good idea on combining the intercooler and its radiator. A proper job of creating hot spots, lowered efficiency and making it 'ell on the erks. A very Fairey solution.

The R-R engineers would likely be banging their heads on their desks.


It'd probably be best, in real world terms, to place the radiator so that the tubes run perpendicular to the long axis. The air enters on one side of the fuselage and exhausts out the other. A scoop for intake, and gills for exhaust.