Bill Greenwood wrote:
Nelson Ezell did an execellent job rebuilding the Seafire, though it would have been nice if it could have all been done as original. It was modified quite a bit, with toe operated hydraulic brakes rather than original type hand operated air brakes. Spitfire rudders are very effective, so you don't need brakes that much when landing if the approach is slow and the runway not too short. They also made the prop fully feathering! Years ago I saw the plane at San Marcos, I wish I had the foresight and $$$ as Nelson did to purchase and restore it. It seems to have gone to a good home, but even better would be to see it come out to Oskosh and some of the shows.
Well Bill if you could find us a griffon 88 we would install it.
Spitfire air brakes are not that great. Jim wanted hydralic brakes. The prop feathering feature was already there with the griffon 58 out of the shacklelton. If the engine quits it would extend the glide some.
As far as I know this is the last MK. 47 in the world.
The hydralics are all american now.
Mike
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