Meeting BoB Spit pilot and Rigger

[PeterPanPan]

I am meeting a BoB Spit pilot and Rigger, both from the same Squadron, this Sunday. Does anyone have any questions you'd like me to ask. I'm thinking more from a technical point of view (e.g. could you hear the guns from within the cockpit, did you ever see a parked Spit rotate on the grass, how long would it take an engine to warm up from a cold start etc) so we can pass this on the the Devs, but really any and all questions welcome.

PPP

[klem]

Originally Posted by PeterPanPan

I am meeting a BoB Spit pilot and Rigger, both from the same Squadron, this Sunday. Does anyone have any questions you'd like me to ask. I'm thinking more from a technical point of view (e.g. could you hear the guns from within the cockpit, did you ever see a parked Spit rotate on the grass, how long would it take an engine to warm up from a cold start etc) so we can pass this on the the Devs, but really any and all questions welcome.

PPP

If the pilot flew early Spitfires, his opinion on the Merlin negative G cutout question. Was it so sensitive that it was a constant concern when flying normally or entering a modest descent? How severe a pushover was required and for roughly how long before it cut out. Was it a pain in the ass or just something to deal with in vigorous combat?

EDIT: Where are you meeting him? Just curious.

[PeterPanPan]

Originally Posted by klem

Where are you meeting him? Just curious.

Please see http://forum.1cpublishing.eu/showpos...26&postcount=1

PPP

http://twitter.com/#!/brianlanedfc

[Trumper]

Would the ground crew already have had the engines warmed up by the time the pilots arrived saving waiting before scrambling.

[danjama]

I would be geateful to know if the spitfire was a difficult bird to maintain in wartime conditions, and what the most simple and most complex maintenance and repair task. Also, how often would main tyres be changed if operating from concrete? Also, would rearm and refuel occur simultaneously, and how long would each take?

Finally, enjoy and remember the experience. I'm jealous.

[O_Smiladon]

Originally Posted by klem

If the pilot flew early Spitfires, his opinion on the Merlin negative G cutout question. Was it so sensitive that it was a constant concern when flying normally or entering a modest descent? How severe a pushover was required and for roughly how long before it cut out. Was it a pain in the ass or just something to deal with in vigorous combat?

EDIT: Where are you meeting him? Just curious.

+1

Good question to ask IMO

O_Smiladon

[adonys]

ask him about spotting distance.. how far away could he see aircrafts IF he was looking in their direction and the sky was clear?

also, ask him if he could hear other things from outside his cockpit while flying.. like his flight mates engines, or other aicraft engines; if he could hear when he was fired at by someone, or just bullets whinning while passing him, or only the sound of hitting ones; also ask him if he coud hear 109 engine's whines when they were getting close to him..

[Skoshi Tiger]

Originally Posted by adonys

ask him about spotting distance.. how far away could he see aircrafts IF he was looking in their direction and the sky was clear?

+1 and was it important was it to keep the canopy clean and in good condition? How much effort was placed in keeping it so?

Cheers

[Sternjaeger II]

Originally Posted by PeterPanPan

I am meeting a BoB Spit pilot and Rigger, both from the same Squadron, this Sunday. Does anyone have any questions you'd like me to ask. I'm thinking more from a technical point of view (e.g. could you hear the guns from within the cockpit, did you ever see a parked Spit rotate on the grass, how long would it take an engine to warm up from a cold start etc) so we can pass this on the the Devs, but really any and all questions welcome.

PPP

Refrain from asking about Spitfire rotating on the grass, you might get some awkward stares

Originally Posted by klem

If the pilot flew early Spitfires, his opinion on the Merlin negative G cutout question. Was it so sensitive that it was a constant concern when flying normally or entering a modest descent? How severe a pushover was required and for roughly how long before it cut out. Was it a pain in the ass or just something to deal with in vigorous combat?

good question.

Originally Posted by adonys

ask him about spotting distance.. how far away could he see aircrafts IF he was looking in their direction and the sky was clear?

also, ask him if he could hear other things from outside his cockpit while flying.. like his flight mates engines, or other aicraft engines; if he could hear when he was fired at by someone, or just bullets whinning while passing him, or only the sound of hitting ones; also ask him if he coud hear 109 engine's whines when they were getting close to him..

Apart for spotting distance (it doesn't really apply in a standard manner to real life, since it's Eyeball Mk.I that does the job) I agree with all the other questions.

I would ask him about aerial gunnery, enemy behaviour in combat and fatigue.

[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?