Spitfire mk1 gun sight

[Dave W]

I'm currently building the Airfix 1/48 Spitfire as the early version used by 19 sqdn at Duxford in 1938.seem to remember reading somewhere that these aircraft Didnt have the reflector type gun sight fitted.Anyone know if I'm right or wrong?.

[Guest]

im building a mk1 a and it has a reflector sight,though its not the round one its square

mobear

[Guest]

heres a pic from a mk1 [ATTACH]58760.vB[/ATTACH]

mobear

[ATTACH]60619.IPB[/ATTACH]

[Dave W]

Thanks Ole.Think I need to do a bit more research.

[Dave W]

Just found a site called www.SpitfireSpares.com.They say the reflector gun sight with oval glass was used throughout the Battle of Britain but replaced soon after by the square glass type.No mention of the early mk1 though.My research continues.....By the way,if you want one of these gunsights they will set you back £2400.

[Guest]

buy a spitfire one piece at a time lol

mobear

[Dave W]

Look nice on display in the living room.The wife wouldn't like it though.Grand designs was on a few days ago.This bloke had a full size Ducati 916 mounted on the living room wall.I thought it looked fantastic,although my old Aprilia RSV would have looked better.His wife Didnt look impressed.Suppose he could do what he likes as he's a multi millionaire.

[stona]

I'd have to check dates for you in acouple of days but early Spitfires had a simple ring sight like this. 1938 is early though.

There were attempts made with a prismatic sight,but the pilot had to put his eye to it and fly the aeroplane which was tricky,before the reflector sight(s) were adopted. These were not superceded until late in the war by the gyroscopically stabilised sights.

Cheers

Steve

[Dave W]

That's interesting Steve.i could probably scratch one in 1/48.The Spitfire I'm doing has the no.19 painted on the fin for one day only in August 1938 for a press call.But im not going to be too anal about it as its such a tiny part.the kit decal sheet provides a choice of yellow or white no.19 with no explanation as to which is the correct one to use.Thats another question though and I will probably use the white 19.

[Dave W]

I'd have to check dates for you in acouple of days but early Spitfires had a simple ring sight like this. 1938 is early though.There were attempts made with a prismatic sight,but the pilot had to put his eye to it and fly the aeroplane which was tricky,before the reflector sight(s) were adopted. These were not superceded until late in the war by the gyroscopically stabilised sights.

Cheers

Steve

Just found a picture in one of my books of six 19 sqdn spitfires.It was taken on October 31st 1938.When the no.19 was painted on the tail for the benefit of an official photographer in a Blenheim,for one day only.The nearest one clearly has your fixed ring gun sight Steve.So that's the proof I need.Guess I will have to scratch one now.Also,five of the aircraft have white no.19 and one has what could be yellow (Black and white photo).So just got to check the aircraft serial no. On the decal sheet for the correct colour 19.

[stona]

A quick check reveals that the first order for Spitfires was completed in August 1939 (just in time!) and that as 19 squadron was the first equipped (followed by 41,54,65,66,72 and 611) it would have had Spitfires from this batch which were fitted with the ring sight. 19 squadron had 16 Spitfires on strength at the end of 1938.

Cheers

Steve

[Dave W]

Thanks for your help Steve.Now all Ive got to do is make one in 1/48.Im off work with Bronchitis at the moment.I thought I'd get some modelling done.Cant seem to concentrate.Very frustrating!.

[Dave W]

Feeling a it better this evening so had a go at making a ring type gun sight.I used a piece of copper wire wraped around a micro drill bit for the ring.Then superglued it to a piece of plastic card.You can just see it inside the windscreen.i didn't even attempt to make the tiny ring that should go inside this one.Too small for my clumsy fingers!.