Black 6 Thu 19th Apr update re Spit II

[NZtyphoon]

Originally Posted by klem

If I understand you correctly you are discussing the mechanical method of overriding the boost cutout on the Spitfire MkI. (When and where you would use +12lbs boost is going to be a choice of the pilot whether it be takeoff, combat or just extra performance).

Regarding the mechanics, does this help?

The June 1940 Spitfire Pilots Notes state:

Boost Cut_out EMERGENCY control:

36. If it is desired in an emergency to override the automatic boost control, this control can be cut-out by pushing forward the small red-painted lever (17) at the forward end of the throttle quadrant. The lever is sealed against use.

It does not mention a 'gate'. I believe the 'seal' was a thin wire which would be broken when the boost override was operated.

On Spitfire Is the pilot did have to push the throttle lever through a thin wire, which was replaced by the ground crew. If for some reason the pilot failed to notify the ground crew that +12 Lbs boost had been used - a note had to be made in the engine's log book - the broken wire was probably a good way of showing the engine had been subjected to overboost.