Meeting BoB Spit pilot and Rigger

[baronWastelan]

How often did the fighters get washed and polished?

How was the quality of the Spitfire paint job? Did the paint flake off all over, or just the parts where it was stepped on?

How high did they fly before switching on oxygen? Was it done on command, or was it up to each individual pilot?

How often were the radios disabled by combat damage?

If all the oil leaked out, would the engine seize, or did the pilot switch off the engine before it got to that point?

Would the tower allow multiple fighters land simultaneously, or only one at a time?

[Madfish]

Originally Posted by baronWastelan

How often did the fighters get washed and polished?

How was the quality of the Spitfire paint job? Did the paint flake off all over, or just the parts where it was stepped on?

Originally Posted by Skoshi Tiger

and was it important was it to keep the canopy clean and in good condition? How much effort was placed in keeping it so?

I would chime in on this. It reminds me of a recent discussion: the cockpit glass. Was it always in perfect condition or did it have tiny scratches and stains etc. at times?

Also I remember another heated discussion some had about the fuel. I think it was about how many Spitfires were really flying on 100 octane fuel and not 90.

[major_setback]

What sort of force was needed to move the joystick under normal conditions, and also under combat/aerobatic manoeuvres.

[Skoshi Tiger]

What were the specific jobs done by a rigger? How many planes did they look after at any given time? How long would they spend maintaining the planes?

Cheers!