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What was the Spitfires fatal flaw?
The Spitfire’s original engine couldn’t handle barrel rolls. The throttle valve would get flooded with fuel as the plane turned upside-down. German pilots quickly caught on to this particular flaw because black smoke would puff out of the Spitfire whenever it flipped over.
Did the Spitfire have a carburetor?
The Spitfire’s problem was in its engine. The Rolls Royce Merlin was a great motor, but the real problem was how the Spitfire got the fuel to the engine. The Spitfire used a carburetor, which is fine for straight and level flight, but when does a dogfight involve staying straight and level?
How much is an original Spitfire worth?
An American Mustang – lauded as the US’s answer to the Spitfire – sold for $3.5m in 2019, is today valued at $4.5m, while a British Hawker Fury which cost £1m in 2016 is now a £2m aircraft.
Did Spitfires have fuel injection?
This new carburettor was used from the Merlin 66 series and on all Griffon engines. In these engines the carburettor injected fuel at 5 psi through a nozzle direct into the supercharger and the compressed air-fuel mixture was then directed to the cylinders.
What metal was the Spitfire made of?
aluminium
They worked together to make the body of the Spitfire incredibly strong. The metal components were made from alloys of aluminium. This ensured that materials were as light as possible, whilst still providing strength and durability.
Did any Spitfires have fuel injection?
The final development was the SU injection carburettor, that injected fuel into the supercharger using a fuel pump driven as a function of crankshaft speed and engine pressures; although this was fitted to the 100 series Merlins, which were not used in production Spitfires, it was used in the Griffon 60 and 80 series.
What happened to the Supermarine company?
Eventually, the Supermarine brand was consumed by Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) as it became part of British Aircraft Corporation in 1960 and although it is fondly remembered in terms of the Spitfire and alike, today it only remains in the USA as a company manufacturing replica aircraft in kit form.
Who manufactured the Supermarine Spitfire?
SupermarineSupermarine Spitfire / Manufacturer
What was so good about the Supermarine Spitfire?
The Spitfire’s famous elliptical wing with sunken rivets to have the thinnest possible cross-section gave the aircraft a higher top speed than most other fighters of the time. These wings also made the Spitfire one of the most agile fighters in the sky, giving them the advantage with one-on-one battles.
What is a Supermarine Spitfire?
A deadly aircraft engineering problem with a simple solution. The Supermarine Spitfire is one of World War II’s iconic planes. With its low wings and remarkable dexterity, the plane etched its name in the history books during the Battle of Britain between 1940 and 1941.
Did you know the Spitfire had a fatal flaw?
Unfortunately, at first they had a fatal flaw… one that required a woman’s orifice to fix. The Spitfire was a miracle of engineering in the 1940s because of its thin, elliptical wings which minimized drag and allowed it to perform impressive aerial acrobatics.
What is wrong with my carburetor?
Many alleged “carburetor problems” are really engine or ignition problems. The place to start with your carbs is with information from your workshop manual or the Haynes Stromberg CD Carburetors manual (Moss #212-940).
Are there any fuel or vacuum leaks inside the carburetor?
There should be no fuel or vacuum leaks. Inside the carburetor, check the large air piston diaphragm – it should be free of holes or tears.