Question, Spit Mk. IX

[Freycinet]

Hi all,

 

Just a question about the real-world Spittie. How was the cockpit heated in a Mk. IX? Any heating at all? I believe the pilots had electrically heated flight suits but I would like to know if there was any other heating of the cockpit itself. Link to source docs would be great.

 

Cheers,

Freycinet

[ZachariasX]

Cockpit temperature can be adjusted to a significant degree by choosing the right season, weather and flying altitude.

 

For source docs, one best refers to weather.com.

[HBPencil]

Going from memory there was no cockpit heating nor the capability to use electrically heated suits in the Spit.

Edit: a look at the pilot's manual shows some cockpit ventilation but nothing for heating.

Edited August 29, 2023 by HBPencil

[Slipper45]

Hi Freycinet,

 

The Spitfire cockpit wasn't heated, that said to afford some cool air there was a cockpit forward ventilator.

 

As to some documents, the ventilator is shown on the right hand side of the GGS Mk IID Installation drawing below.

 

 

 

Plus it is also shown below, reference #7 (note in this instance the cockpit is from a Spitfire Mk VIII).

 

 

While internal heating was only provided to the Spitfires guns and or in some instance to reconnaissance  cameras.

 

 

 

Cheers,

 

 

Daniel.

Edited August 30, 2023 by Slipper45

[Freycinet]

Thanks for your replies and a special thanks to Slipper for the documentation!

[senseispcc]

Like the real pilot put the good clothing light or heavy...

[Slipper45]

Hi @Freycinet,

 

I just wanted to add that @HBPencil is correct that there was a provision of heating, for clothing,  more specifically for electrically heated boots and gloves.

 

On the Spitfire V it was introduced as Mod 380, and was present on Spitfire IX and XVI aircraft as well.

 

Spitfire V as follows.

 

 

 

Spitfire IX and XVI as follows.

 

 

 

 

Cheers,

 

 

Daniel.

[Freycinet]

Ah, excellent sleuthing, thank you!