Warbird Information Exchange

Some questions on the "cool" site which may be of gen interest: Specific to my MKIX 2 seat version, TE308. Manifold pressure; normal takeoff +7 lbs. boost or ca. 44 inches. This matches about 55 in takeoff in 51D if in formation. Max boost I ever use +12, max allowed +18 on 100 octane, 5min over +22. Conversion=assume normal pressure of 30in, then add or subtract double the boost. Thus +12=(30 +2x12or44 so 30+44)= 54". Thus -4lbs=22".My normal economy cruise X-C is 0lbs, 1800rpm, about 245mph or 214 knots true at 11,500at 47 US gal/hr. If range is no problem or frolicking I may use +4, 2400 for 244 k true or 280mph,but fuel,108 internal goes quick. Stallclean 72k, gear&flaps 62k. Slow speed handling is excellent, yet Spit MKXI reached over .9 Mach in test dives, and regularly flown to .88Mach. Climb is over 4000 fpm, service ceiling 43,500(I've only been about 20k. It ain't called Merlin magic for nothing. Early Spits were about 350mph top level, last ones 454 mph, 23,000 built, now perhaps 55 or so. Yes, I am aware that I'm lucky to sit where some of the best have. You can appreciate a Spit as a work of art, a great flying machine or a vital piece of history. For winter I use some Marvel oil, but don't do any major preservation. I rarely run short of greasy guys volunteering to ride for free, not too many asking to help pay for, or wash it. Anybody know any Supermodels that like Warbirds and have a hot checkbook?

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Yeah, I know 2x12= 24, not 44. Anyway the total is corect =12lbs = 44inches. Just wanted to see if you were awake.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

First - Very Interesting
Second - You'll get no pity from me on the fuel going fast.

Third - How do you handle insurance? Full Hull? Big deductible?

What about weight and balance? How much fuel can you have with 2 180lb guys?

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Eric

"I spent most of my money on alcohol, women and skyraiders....and the rest of it I just wasted."

3rd times a charm, I hope, and no I did not attend A&M. +7lbs = 44inches; +12 lbs =54inches(30in +(2x12) or 30+24 =54! Spending so much time on this WIX site has addled my brain, I think. And they say meth is addictive!

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

If you had spent time in God's Country you would have got your figgerin right the first time. But since I know that you went to tu and spent all your time down on 6th street your excused this time.

6th street...................ahhhhh those were the days.

Flying a Spitfire is a lot easier than it seemed to be when I was trying to write about it! Eric, you must be one of the favorites pilots of the parachute packer, as well as the fuel guy. My packer is 200 miles away, recently my chutes were out of date and I was going out to the Nellis show. Anyway I managed to get them done, and guess what, when I got there at 7 pm the FSDO guys were there to check all paperwork including chutes. As for ins, I just carry liability. I had hull my very first year and it was $17 K, so I decided I'd rather put that toward engine reserve, etc. How about you? King and Rick, I think 6th ST was where that old wooden theater with the X rated movies was. I wasn't there much, I was at the football games, Nat Champs 1963, waterskiing, etc. and going to class in my spare time. A Spifire flies like Tommy Nobis played football!

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

63 ! Were you guys still using leather helmets ?