[Redcanuck]

Sorry Davew, thats a lot of research and typing.

By the way if you have a friend or family member with a printer/scanner/copier you could scan pertinent
info and send to Waggel by E-mail - use a memory stick/thumbdrive (they are getting pretty cheap) to transfer the files to your computer.

It sounds like you have lots of great source material.

I'm sure it will be useful

[Redcanuck]

Waggel,

I dont think there is any new info here but it does convert to metric

http://www.xs4all.nl/~fbonne/warbirds/ww...espitfire2

[Redcanuck]

Here are some visual references:

Nose/engine mount http://www.spitfiresite.com/reference/va...nts-01.htm

Fuselage
http://www.spitfiresite.com/reference/va...nts-02.htm

Wings/Tails
http://www.spitfiresite.com/reference/va...nts-03.htm

Some nice picts of early Mk IX Spit plastic models including a 4 Cannon variant
http://www.cmrmodels.co.uk/cmr-175/super..._conv.html

[GBrutus]

Some useful info in those links, Redcanuck. Thanks.

[I/JG27_Waggel]

First result of searching data:

[Redcanuck]

Here is a pdf of some level flight tests with and without 500 lb bomb.

http://www.ketsujin.com/history/aircraft-history.htm

http://www.ketsujin.com/history/aircraft...e-1943.PDF

[I/JG27_Waggel]

Thanks Redcanuk:

The data with the 500 lbs bomb was very usefull. If you read the rest of the document, you will find performance data regarding to the merlin 66 and to the merlin 70.

Merlin 66 was LF and merlin 70 was HF?. Will convert the data into metric system and than I will draw a new graph.

[Redcanuck]

I'm glad you guys are finding something useful from my web diving.

I didn't know there was info on the merlin 66 and 70 spits in that document - thats great!
And yes I believe the 66 was LF and 70 was HF.

I found some performance graphs for a merlin 66 spit IX from another game. I'm not sure of their validity but they do look well researched - they are compared to 2 109 f models a 110 model and a FW 190a4. Have a look and see if it looks useful.
http://www.hoofsperformance.wwiionline.com/Spit9.htm

I still haven't found any useful information on the merlin 63 spits - just the 408 mph top speed.
There was a comment that stated that the merlin 66 was equivalent to the 63 but optimized for low flight.

Now here my lack of modding knowledge is going to show.

Is it possible to extract IL-2 3d models out to 3d max or equivalent, modify them and then reinsert them into the game?

If this is possible it might be a way to deal with the problems GBrutus encountered.

Alternately could the cannon blisters be skinned on? I believe I've seen some remarkable work done by some talented skinners.

And lastly in some of the threads I've browsed, I have seen reference to hooks - could this be why the
Mk V canopy comes with the oil cooler?
Can Hooks be changed?

~S~ Redcanuck

[Carnagexxx]

I would love to see more 4 cannons spits

[GBrutus]

Is it possible to extract IL-2 3d models out to 3d max or equivalent, modify them and then reinsert them into the game?

If this is possible it might be a way to deal with the problems GBrutus encountered.

Alternately could the cannon blisters be skinned on? I believe I've seen some remarkable work done by some talented skinners.

And lastly in some of the threads I've browsed, I have seen reference to hooks - could this be why the
Mk V canopy comes with the oil cooler?
Can Hooks be changed?

~S~ Redcanuck

I've already exported the models to 3ds max no problem. Making the necessary alterations to the relevant msh files isn't particularly difficult. I've already started on this part. The problem I have is that I haven't been able to import the model back into the game. I've been using Dr.Jone's mesh converter which is still in the beta stage. There's a new version of the converter on it's way and Magot has said he will write a tutorial at some point to make this process easier. I've been studying as many technical drawings as I can find and I'm reasonably sure of what changes need to be made.

In the meantime if anybody has any drawings/photos they can share then that would be a big help. The more references the better.

[Redcanuck]

Excellent GBrutus :!:

I wasn't sure if I was barking up the wrong tree there :lol:

Keep on it.

I'll keep digging for more - Its amazing how little specific data there is on the web (just generic) not many good pictures of the early MK IX either.

~S~ Redcanuck

[Redcanuck]

OOPS :!:

Almost everything that I've found with the exception of some visuals and my last link are in [/url]http://www.spitfireperformance.com/
http://:oops:

[GBrutus]

Excellent GBrutus :!:

I wasn't sure if I was barking up the wrong tree there :lol:

Keep on it.

I'll keep digging for more - Its amazing how little specific data there is on the web (just generic) not many good pictures of the early MK IX either.

~S~ Redcanuck

Yeah, I was surprised at the lack of data on the web. I think I'll have a hunt for a couple of good books as I can always tell my wife that I need them for 'research' purposes.

[Davew]

@Redcanuk
There were actually quite a few differences between the Merlin 66 and Merlin 63. Most of them were related to the supercharger, but overall the Merlin 66 had less horsepower as well, about 1500hp vs 1700 for the Merlin 63 in the F.IX.
Which is why when you read stories about mixed squadrons of F.IXs, LF.IXs and LF.XVIs, the earlier IXs had to throttle back so the others could keep up with them.

I can write up some more data when I get home. I have a specific book on the aero engines used by the various airforces in WW2. That said, i guess the individual differences between the engines such as the size of the impeller blades or compression ratios don't really matter aside from the horsepower ratings, altitude ratings, and full throttle height.

@Brutus
What sort of images do you need? Specific areas or generic shots? If specific, which areas?
I'm still struggling to find a scanner, but if you can let me know what you need I can certainly give you descriptions of the areas. Even if I can't scan the images in, I should be able to get some decent shots of the net with some targeted searching.

[Davew]

Here's an image that's quite interesting...

This is one of the aircraft converted from Vcs.
Note the identification light, the 'cheese cutter' aerial from the tailplane to the fuse, the early rectangular rear view mirror and the wider cannon blisters, all of which are different from the later, purpose built Mk.IXs

Or this one, same squadron, same vintage.

Here, note the smaller horn balances on the tail plane, and the u/c position indicator to the right of the cannon blister in this shot.
The horn balances were changed later on, and the u/c position indicator was removed from later aircraft.

Interesting detail of the hangar as well if anyone is involved with object modding.

This one shows the u/c position indicator better, and the cheese cutter aerial, both of which were only seen on the Vc conversions.


Interestingly with that shot, the aircraft in the foreground is a converted Vc, but the 611 squadron behind it doesn't appear to be, even though the two earlier shots were 611 a/c.

There are quite a few shots of the early spits around, it's just knowing when you're looking at them. Many shots of Spitfires are misnamed as Vbs or IXbs, or they're just called IXs.