Member postings for Jimbob

As already stated, there were more Hurricanes than Spitfires involved in the B of B.

The Hurricane was designed to older ideas, having a relativly thick wing. The fuselage was constructed

using some of the jigs used for an earlier bi-plane aircraft.

While the policy was for the Spitfire to take on fighters and the Hurricane the bombers, it was very much

a case of "target opportunity". The Hurricane was indeed slower than both the Spitfire and the ME109

but was able to out turn both due to it's thick wing.

Some pilots who flew in both Hurricanes and Spitfires say they preferred the Hurricane due to it's

larger cockpit.

Former ground crew say that a damaged Hurricane could usually be repaired at it's home base,

while a damaged Spitfire would often need to be sent to an RAF M.U. or even to the factory for

repair due to the differing construction methods.

Both great aircraft in time of need. Pity a squadron of Hurricanes can't be found!

edit Just read a later posting.

While the Spitfire did indeed serve throughout the war, and into the 1950's, it had become a very

different aircraft: 37ltr. Griffon engine replacing the 27ltr. Merlin (almost twice the power of the earlier

models) with extended nose and rear fuselage and R.J.Mitchells' elliptical wing was also altered.

The Hurricane also served thoughout the war, albeit in lesser theatres. It also carried rockets while

the Typhoon was still being "de-bugged" (tails breaking off, problems with it's Napier Sabre engine,

exhaust fumes in the cockpit for eg.)

A shame that the Hurricane's contibution is so often understated.

Edited By Jimbob on 24/10/2012 21:12:58

Hello JasonB

Thanks for your response. In my wisdom(!!) I made the shafts as separate pieces.

The holes in the crank webs were drilled undersized, then reamered while clamped together, using the mill. The shafts (or part engaging with the webs) were then turned to give a light interference fit with the intention of locktighting and pinning.

Having just spent time studying the problem I had pretty well decided to do as you say. I will turn up a one piece shaft and also make up a suitably sized spacer to go between the webs.

Thanks again, and I won't try to be so clever next time!

Gentlemen

Having assembled the components of a built up crankshaft (single cylinder engine) I am having difficulty getting everything into correct alignment.

Any advice on this would be very welcome.

Thankyou