Spitfire Rads - How closed do you go?

[skouras]

same with Dutch

[PeterPanPan]

Thanks chaps, very useful indeed. What is 'normal' setting though? Was there such a setting in the real world or are we talking about simply half open? Will check tonight, but is there any cockpit indication (other than the position of the 'handbrake') of where the rad is?

Thanks

PPP

[ATAG_Dutch]

Originally Posted by PeterPanPan

Thanks chaps, very useful indeed. What is 'normal' setting though? Was there such a setting in the real world or are we talking about simply half open? Will check tonight, but is there any cockpit indication (other than the position of the 'handbrake') of where the rad is?

Heh, heh. Normal for me is halfway. I read somewhere that pilots used to line the 'handbrake' up with the corner of something on the cockpit wall, but I forget where I saw this and also what it was. But yes, 'halfway' is 'normal' for me, there's no cockpit indicator as such.

This is one of the reasons I prefer to fly the Hurri, as it has an indicator - which is a bit strange because I'm a typical Spitfire nut.

[ATAG_knuckles]

Half way for me as well



Denis

One has to note that the Merlin can really get easily very very hot. I realized that during take off and at some altitudes even with low rpm and fine pitch (lever back) it easliy heats up for the Spit1 to nearly 100 despite rads fully open ...

[JG52Uther]

Interesting info, thanks! I have been playing around with the Spit 1 online lately, and leaving the rad fully open (and flying around with fine pitch all the time) so will try it half closed.

[SEE]

Same as Dutch except for Mk1 Spits, I T/O with half Rad and leave it alone at around or just over 3/4 throttle and climb at around 1800 ft per min - same for level flight. Combat/full throttle - open Rad accordingly.