The blind flying instrument panel provided the six crucial instrument in the standardised layout. In the top row, left-to-right are: the airspeed indicator, artificial horizon, rate of climb indicator. In the lower row, same order: altimeter, gyro compass followed by turn & bank indicator, the latter partially obliterated by the control column.
The airspeed indicator of this aircraft is calibrated in knots, a deviation from the standard RAF practice at the time which called for calibration in MPH (1 knot = 1.151 MPH). The altimeter is rated in feet.
I have always wondered about the separate panel for the basic six: It seems to be attached to the main panel by 3 knobs, standing out slightly . Was this for easier maintenance or for vibrational damping? – I once heard somebody say there were some rubber rings between the main panel and the blind flying instrument panel.
I believe this was to reduce vibration on the instruments.
Yes Mr Ed’, I agree, shock mounted to reduce vibration which was bad for delicate high speed gyro bearings in the AH and DI. The only curious thing which somone may be able to answer, is why the AH seems to have no caging knob? The SAAF Museum Spitfire was the same. At the first sign of non “airliner don’t spill the first class G&T’s” type manouvres (hate spelling that word!), the mechanical “horizon” would disappear, to be then occasionally seen as it flashed across the instrument face. With no caging knob, it was not possible to erect it. I’ve read of many pilots ducking into cloud during combat to avoid severe “lead storms”. This must have been awkward when confronted with a toppled AH. This would almost be expected, but most pilots would have been able to use partial panel to get S&L, then at least be able to cage the AH and erect it. Still I am speaking from a comfortable “arm chair”!
does anyone have a undercarrige indicator or know of someone selling one as we or trying to complete a spitfire panel have most of the instruments but am having great difficulty in comming across one of these any help would be greatly apprciated thank you the panel is a mrk I /II repo from original drawings made to cad form
Hello Dave, as I recall the SAAF Museum Spitfire Mk IX, (Mk XVI airframe but had a Merlin not a Packard) the indicator was interesting in terms of the U/C indicator light dimming feature for night flying. This consisted of a small “roller blind” gripped with fore finger and thumb, a small cloth which you pulled down to cover the lights thus dimming them for night flying. It had a hole in the middle to accommodate the knurlled screw head for removing the indicator front panel to change globes. Very quaint feature! There are some excellent cockpit photos of the indicator on this site. Interesting question is, was this a standard indicator used in other aircraft or unique to the Spitfire?