historical fidelity

[fruitbat]

Originally Posted by ATAG_Dutch

Hiya Fruitbat.

I'm quoting from Alfred Price there with the Ibs mate. Also the crash field conversion to metal ailerons from Nov '40 on. Maybe they weren't standard factory fitment until May or summat.

But I've no intention of posting reams of documents, or of having a protracted debate. I'd rather bow to your superior knowledge!

I originally thought the same as you re the ailerons, from the same source no less! But after reading Morgan and Shacklady's SPITFIRE: THE HISTORY it actually took them a long time to get there arse in gear on this one.

Something I found quite funny about the metal ailerons though from Johnnie Johnsons book,

Despite the fact that they were being fitted to Mk V's, 616 Squadron (ie Bader) decided that they wanted to have them on there Spit MkII's and dealt directly with the factory and signed the bits of paper put in front of them.

About a year later, Johnnie Johnson got an official letter, requiring an explanation as to why and who had authorised this, he replied that perhaps Bader might know (he was PoW by now)!

Re the spits IIb's, If you haven't read it yet, read Johnnie Kents book if you get the chance, goes into this in detail on this as he was CO at the time, and very much the leading voice in wanting this 'new' b wing. Good book.