Couple of BBMF questions circa 1983

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18 years 1 month

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Hi All;

Just a quick couple of questions regarding Hurricane LF363 and Spitfire P7350 as they appeared in 1983.

Hurricane LF363 carried the codes VY-X and the 85 Squadron night fighter scheme at this time. Did the aircraft have under wing roundels? I haven't been able to find an image that shows the underside. I don't think it did, but just checking. Also, did the aircraft have any stencils? It doesn't seem to have, but the dark scheme makes it difficult to tell.

As for Spitfire P7350: Does anyone know what propeller she had around late summer 1983? I've seen photos of P7350 in this scheme with both four blade and three blade props...just wanted to get the fine details correct.

All for a pretty massive modelling project finally on the go with the BBMF next in the queue.

Thanks in advance.

Original post

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24 years 2 months

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P7350 in 1983 coded SH-D.

Fitted with a four blade propeller from a MK IX/XVI Spitfire.

Mark

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18 years 1 month

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That's perfect! Thank you.

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18 years 6 months

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I have the original artwork for P7350 as SH-D of No. 64 Squadron drawn up in February 1982. Let me have your email and I will send a scan.
The propeller would have been a Dowty R12/4F5 fitted as a temporary measure.
I also have detail of LF363 in No. 85 Squadron markings. No underwing roundels as in December 1940, no other stencils mentioned.

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BeaufighterVI....PM sent.

Steve

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/Mark12/Album%206/2-P7350%20-%20Peter%20R%20Arnold%20collection%2001%20024a_zpsxvhkyxdj.jpg

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Many thanks for the photo. That's very helpful indeed.

I would have missed the spinner back plate. Appears to be silver? Guessing sky undersides which carry across the bottom of the rudder. Not quite sure on the colour of the fuselage band, but some photos I've seen show it to be almost a duck egg blue. Codes light grey?...and just spotted the smaller than average serial number hiding under the fin.

Great photo!

Best regards;
Steve

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24 years 2 months

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Note spinner back plate in this shot.

Mark

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/Mark12/Album%206/2-P7350%20DX%20circa%20June%201983%20Slide%20Ebay%2001b_zpskkhgezgk.jpg

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Ah! Looks like I have the choice as far as the spinner back plate is concerned. My time window is Sept 83, so I'm thinking probably that the back plate was painted by then. Mustn't forget the Coffman Starter bulge either. The kit I have is a Mk Ia, so needs to be converted to a Mk II...I've got the six stack exhausts, four blade prop and treaded four spoke wheels.

Many thanks again for the extra photo. Both sides in perfect profile form. What more could I ask?

Best regards;
Steve

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20 years 7 months

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I've just done my own version of the BBMF's Spitfire IIa in 1/32 scale.

Not the same scheme, but the decal sheet offers numerous possibilities.

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18 years 1 month

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Kits World decals?

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20 years 7 months

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I believe it was, yeah.

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18 years 6 months

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The different colours of the spinner backplate would have come about due to swap of propellers between a/c not a deliberate change of markings.

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18 years 1 month

Posts: 911

Hi BeaufighterVI;

Received the scans safe and sound via email. Many thanks indeed. I have no excuse to get those two wrong now....what fantastic reference!

Best regards;
Steve