Warbird Information Exchange

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed on this site are the responsibility of the poster and do not reflect the views of the management.
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:22 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Classic Wings Magazine WWII Naval Aviation Research Pacific Luftwaffe Resource Center
When Hollywood Ruled The Skies - Volumes 1 through 4 by Bruce Oriss


Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 19 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
PostPosted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 2:39 pm 
Offline

Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2014 12:55 pm
Posts: 491
So I was reading up on a recent Spitfire restoration, & I came across a part where they stated that everything for the Spitfire can be made new again, except for the Landing Gear Legs (!!??,) And of course the Engine/Motor ! Is this a license thing ?? Technology is not around to recreate L.G Legs ???
Every flying Spit has original L.G ?? What happens in the future? New/Restored Spitfires have to talk Museums out of theirs ??
Please tel me this isn't so. :? pop2

_________________
WWI & WWII Warbird Fan.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 3:38 pm 
Offline

Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:49 pm
Posts: 530
Interesting, which article and what particular Spitfire if you don’t mind me asking?


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 3:43 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 11:31 am
Posts: 609
Location: A pool in Palm Springs
Yep....restored Mustangs and Spitfires MUST have some original parts that are simply to expensive at the current market prices to build new. Once prices go above 20 Million USD I am sure we will be able to “afford” new gear legs and engines!


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 5:34 pm 
Offline
Long Time Member
Long Time Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 12:27 am
Posts: 5228
Location: Eastern Washington
About engines, am I correct in guessing the only thing that isn't reproduced is the block?

Certainly, the "throw away" at overhaul bits are.

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 5:54 pm 
Offline
2000+ Post Club
2000+ Post Club

Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2012 7:26 pm
Posts: 2001
Location: Creemore Ontario Canada
I don't think anyone has (had) to reproduce a crankshaft for a Merlin.
They are still obtainable and would be horrendously expensive to replicate.
There is a company reproducing Merlin heads, which is quite an undertaking in and of itself.

Andy


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 10:41 pm 
Offline
2000+ Post Club
2000+ Post Club
User avatar

Joined: Wed May 30, 2007 3:57 pm
Posts: 2265
Location: Minnesota
I'm not sure if it is the same article, but the same thing was said (regarding Spitfire landing gear legs) in a Warbirds International article in the Dec. 2017 issue about the newly-manufactured Spitfire T.9 NH341 "Elizabeth".


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 3:09 am 
Offline
1000+ Posts!
1000+ Posts!
User avatar

Joined: Sat May 01, 2004 1:54 am
Posts: 1073
Location: UK
There were many variations of Spitfire undercarriage legs as development progressed through the marks...stroke, toe-in, camber, weight reduction, lugs, pintle size, Seafire mods, torque links front or rear, internal splines etc etc etc.

If you include left and right hand, possibly as many as 50 variations.

The trick is to find a matching pair that will be an appropriate fit for the mark under build/restoration.

I well remember a partnership deal I made at a scrap yard auction for a successful bid on about 80 odd legs. I was just after the few 20 series legs for my Seafire 46, and even here there were three very distinctive variations...but just enough to make up two basic pairs.

Corrosion on the axles is the usual issue and replicating that forging is well within current abilities.

I think we are a while away from scratch building a complete leg.

PeterA


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 7:38 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 2:15 am
Posts: 738
Location: Misawa, Japan
Peter,

Quote:
I think we are a while away from scratch building a complete leg

By that, do you mean that we are a while away from "needing" to scratch build a complete leg or being "able" to?

Thanks,

Mac

_________________
WWII Naval Aviation Research - Pacific
https://www.ww2nar-pac.com/


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 8:23 am 
Offline
1000+ Posts!
1000+ Posts!
User avatar

Joined: Sat May 01, 2004 1:54 am
Posts: 1073
Location: UK
Jim,

The legs are out there in condition various. Australia is a relatively un-tapped source.

'New' build Spitfires requiring legs probably amount to one, sometimes two, per year.

As their value goes up they will come out of the woodwork.

The 'Auxiliaries' gearbox for the Griffon Spitfires is a bigger issue.

PeterA


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 7:44 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 2:15 am
Posts: 738
Location: Misawa, Japan
Thanks for the reply, Peter.

Mac

_________________
WWII Naval Aviation Research - Pacific
https://www.ww2nar-pac.com/


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 9:31 am 
Offline

Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:49 pm
Posts: 530
Thanks for the reply John Terrell.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 2:24 pm 
Offline

Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2014 12:55 pm
Posts: 491
Sopwith wrote:
Interesting, which article and what particular Spitfire if you don’t mind me asking?

JohnTerrell wrote:
I'm not sure if it is the same article, but the same thing was said (regarding Spitfire landing gear legs) in a Warbirds International article in the Dec. 2017 issue about the newly-manufactured Spitfire T.9 NH341 "Elizabeth".

So Sorry for not replying, Sopwith, I just got VERY busy with a "Family Friend Issue" All weekend & didn't even have the energy to go online. :oops: :(
Yes, John Terrell, that's the one, Thanks again, John. :D
DUH !! :shock: :oops: :rolleyes: I forgot to thank Peter & EVERYONE Else for their inputs !!!! :shock: Thanks Again !!!

_________________
WWI & WWII Warbird Fan.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 24, 2018 2:48 am 
Offline

Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:49 pm
Posts: 530
Thanks for the reply TBM Tony, I understand completely. Cheers


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 10:30 am 
Offline
1000+ Posts!
1000+ Posts!
User avatar

Joined: Sat May 01, 2004 1:54 am
Posts: 1073
Location: UK
PeterA wrote:
There were many variations of Spitfire undercarriage legs as development progressed through the marks...stroke, toe-in, camber, weight reduction, lugs, pintle size, Seafire mods, torque links front or rear, internal splines etc etc etc.

If you include left and right hand, possibly as many as 50 variations.

The trick is to find a matching pair that will be an appropriate fit for the mark under build/restoration.

I well remember a partnership deal I made at a scrap yard auction for a successful bid on about 80 odd legs. I was just after the few 20 series legs for my Seafire 46, and even here there were three very distinctive variations...but just enough to make up two basic pairs.

Corrosion on the axles is the usual issue and replicating that forging is well within current abilities.

I think we are a while away from scratch building a complete leg.

PeterA


I found the images. Condition ranging from poor to 'God almighty' but better than scratch building.

PeterA

Image

Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 11:33 am 
Offline

Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:49 pm
Posts: 530
How long ago was that photo taken Peter?


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 19 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot], Vital Spark and 73 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group