Spitfire Mk1a Question

[James Wheeler]

Does anyone on the board know of an official source that would confirm the amount of rounds held in each weapon on this mk of Spitfire?

I *think* it was 300 rounds per gun but need something definitive (must be an official source or professional in the field that can confirm it)

Cheers

[paul b]

  Hello James, i will look in one of my Spitfire books tonight and post it tomorrow if you haven't had it confirmed before then.

                                                Paul

[paul b]

  James, in my two books written by Alfred Price i found the following...  MK1A- Eight 303  containing 300 rounds. MK1B- Four 303 and two cannons. 

                       Paul

[James Wheeler]

Hi Paul,

Have you got the name of the books?

Thanks

James

[paul b]

 Hello James,  " Spitfire-a complete fighting history" and "the spitfire story" . by Alfred Price. 


                                                         Paul

[James Wheeler]

Thanks very much Paul

[geoff]

Hi James,
In my book "Spitfire - the  History" by Eric Morgan and Edward Shacklady (650 pages covering 22,500 airframes) they quote from manufacturers archives.
The Mk1A is listed as follows: Early production models:- 8 x .303 Colt Browning Mk II machine guns, 300 rpg (A wing), de Wilde tracer rounds incorporated.
Late production models:- Armament per A wing, some a/c modified to 2 x 20mm Hispano cannon, 60 rpg in drums.
This book lists every serial number of every Spitfire ever built. If you have a specific serial number in mind, let me know and I will try to find which set of guns was installed.
Regards from,
Geoff.

[paul b]

 

  Hello Geoff,
                     That sounds like the best book to have, when was it in print.

                        Regards Paul   

[James Wheeler]

Thank you very much Geoff, that is superb info.

Do you have the book ISBN ?

[geoff]

Hullo Paul & James,
Here's the book info. you asked for:- ISBN  0-946219-48-6  Published by Key Books Ltd., PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1XQ.
Tel:- 01780 755131.  First published 1987, my copy is fifth impression revised 2000. Retail price ?39.99, but found it in Jarrolds in Cromer for ?20.
If you cannot get a copy I would willingly lend mine to you. We could arrange a mutual meeting venue. I live in Burnham-on-Crouch, about 55 miles from Duxford.
Try eBay for a used copy, or Amazon.
Regards from
Geoff.

[James Wheeler]

Thank you very much Geoff.

A good source for out of print and rare books by the way is a website called

www.abebooks.co.uk

I found Wing Commander Bob Braham's book Scramble on there which had been out of print for years.

[paul b]

  Thanks Geoff.   

                            Paul

[Gate Master]

Most impressed, this is how we can use the board....Keep it going
Regards
Andy D