AIRWORTHINESS APPROVAL NOTE NO: 22416P APPLICANT: Mr R Melton AIRCRAFT TYPE: Supermarine Spitfire Mk LFIX REGISTRATION NO: G-IXCC CONSTRUCTOR'S NO: PL344 To Approve Supermarine Spitfire G-IXCC for the Issue of a Permit to Fly 1.0 Introduction This aircraft was built in 1944 under the eleventh order for 800 aircraft under contract number B981687/39/C23(c) at Vickers Armstrongs (Castle Bromwich). It was delivered to No 8 MU on 1.7.44. It had a Category B accident on 26.12.44, was repaired and saw service with 401 Squadron, 88 Group Headquarters, 129 Squadron and was damage Category C in a wheels up landing at Eindhoven on 4.5.46. It was transferred to 151 repair unit where it was re-categorised Category E (beyond economical repair). PL344 was later used as a ground training airframe by the Anthony Fokker Training Academy, Charles Church recovered the aircraft in 1985. It has been rebuilt under the control of Mr R Melton at Micheldever. 2.0 Certification Basis This certification is based primarily on the previous satisfactory history of the type. Individual changes have been evaluated using BCAR Section K for guidance together with relevant airworthiness notices. 1
3.0 Description The original Spitfire Mk IX was a single seat aeroplane powered by either a RR Merlin 61, 63 or 63A driving through a 0.42:1 gear box a four blade R5/4F5/- Rotol propeller, or a Merlin 66 driving through a 0.47/:1 reduction gear a R12/4F5/4 propeller. Modification 1315 introduced the Packard 266 Merlin Engine when they became available. Restoration is LF Marque IX standard using modern materials and incorporating numerous modifications not previously associated with this marque of aircraft, but incorporated in subsequent production marques as improvement modifications. All original radio, armament, oxygen, camera and electrical equipment has been deleted rendering modifications related to this equipment nonapplicable. Mr Melton has raised modification Spitfire DM 043 to define the build standard of Spitfire G- IXCC, to list its equipment and provide a record of the modifications incorporated at restoration. Each of the listed modifications have been evaluated for its effect on the airworthiness of the aeroplane. Modifications have been introduced in five categories as follows:- a) To introduce essential modifications and inspections as promulgated by MoD and the RAF in AP 1565A and E Vol II Part 1, AP 1565 J & L Vol II Part 1 and AP 1565 W Vol II and various STI's. (Schedule I and II of DM 043). b) To selectively introduce modifications published in AP 1565 W Vol 2 Part 1 Leaflet Z26 for later marques F14 to F24. (Schedule III of DM 043). c) To incorporate modifications published by the Battle of Britain Flight. (Schedule VII of DM 043). d) To introduce product improvement modifications generated by Mr R E Melton. (Schedule VI of DM 043). e) The following Dick Melton Aviation Mods have been introduced DM 032/034/035/038/039/040/041/042/043. In many cases original Supermarine drawings have been used, but a full set has not necessarily been available and drawings have been introduced by Mr Melton as required. 4.0 Technical Evaluation 4.1 Spitfire DM 043 Schedule One The Vickers Supermarine DIS reflects the latest build standard for the Spitfire Mk IX at 14 March 1943 and the aircraft has been brought up to that standard. In addition the later mods listed to specific to the Mk IX have been incorporated. Most of the further modifications can be considered as product improvement mods, which although they may have an airworthiness significance are considered to be satisfactory based on their prior MoD clearance. However, these latter modifications have no formal approval related to the Mk IX and these have been individually examined in relation to BCAR Section K. P.S. There is no reference in the AAN to DM 043 Schedules two and three.
Schedule II Modifications embodied at construction. Schedule III first of Modifications deleted from basic build standard. 4.2 Spitfire DM 043 Schedule Four This schedule four relates to the specific equipment drawings that comprise the airframe, its operational systems and equipment, it gives details of associated drawings, modifications, and minor changes. 4.4 Fuselage The high back fuselage has been refurbished to modification DM/Spitfire/030. This previously approved standard (See AAN 21053(P) Mk VC G-MKVC) incorporates many improvement features developed by Supermarine after Mk IX production have ceased. 4.5 Main Planes Both main planes have been produced new by Trent Aero to basic Mk IX (36108) standard with clipped tips to modification 792 standard, then converted to 50908 (TIX) standard by fitment of gun bay fuel transfer tanks and deletion of armament. Tanks being to Premier Fuel Systems Ltd standard as previously approved. (See AAN 20771 Mk LF IX G- BLAS). 4.6 Stern and Tail Planes The original tail unit is fitted having been refurbished by Fairoakes Aviation in 1979 under the supervision of Mr D.R. Melton. 4.7 Engine Bearer This is an original unit restored by Air Repair of Bicester using high strength T45 in lieu of T50 where replacement was required. 4.8 Engine The power unit is a Packard Merlin 266 overhauled by Mike Nixon in California USA to Zero time from V1650-9 carcass manufactured for the RCAF in 1944. It was supplied with an FAA form 337. Vickers Mod 1315. DM/042 modification covers the installation. 4.9 Propeller A new Rotol R12/4F5/4 or R5/4F5/4 propeller fitted with Hoffmann blades and released by Dowty Rotol is fitted. This is limited to 1305 HP and 1431 propeller rpm (3000 engine rpm corresponding to a boost limit of 11 psi) 4.10 Fuel System The fuel system has been installed in accordance with modification 1377 lower fuselage tank and modification DM/Spitfire/021 to provide additional fuel in the redundant main plane armament bays. The system is now fully automatic in operation, the wing tanks feeding to the fuselage tank via a float valve in the fuselage tank, transfer by air pressure from the vacuum pump exhaust. 4.11 Electrical System 3
4.12 Seats Modification DM Spitfire 025 has been employed. The 24 volt electrical system has been completely revised. Powered by a Jasco Skytronics Inc 7165 TDM fully rectified alternator and re-designed around two control boxes located in the cockpit. Every effort has been made to eliminate unnecessary wiring by simplifying the essential circuits. A set of 30036 DM drawings cover this installation. The landing gear warning horn is now linked with the flaps and the landing gear position in accordance with modification DM022 and feeds into the pilots head set via an audio unit. The original compressed paper/resin bonded seat is replaced by a fibreglass replica in accordance with modification DM029. The seat is supported on two pairs of swinging links and the lap straps are attached to the seat pan. In view of the critical nature of this design its strength has been assessed to BCAR Section K requirements and a satisfactory stress analysis supplied. An Aerolux five point harness is fitted. 4.13 Special Fits 4.14 STI's This aeroplane is fitted with a Pandect Remote Compass Mk 1 as a stand-by compass under modification DM027 issue two. It comprises remote sensor fitted in the port wing and an indicator. Pandect are an A2 approved company. The STI's relevant to the Spitfire, other than armament instructions have been complied with.
4.15 SI's 4.16 Radio 5.0 Flight Test Service Instruction SI/17 Defective Fairey Fastners has been complied with, this refers to engine cowl attachments. The radio is installed under modification DM/SPIT/MOD 031 issue 2. The radio station comprises: - A) Dual Becker AR3201 VHF transceivers and a King KT.76A transponder. Issue 2 of this series modification introduces an inline plug socket to facilitate instrument panel removal. This aeroplane has been flown by Group Captain R.P. Hallam who has submitted a report acceptable to the CAA see CAA Flight Test Report FTR/... to CAA draft Schedule No 233. 6.0 Pilots Notes and Placards The aeroplane shall be operated to the original pilots notes AP1565J, P & L as modified by Dick Melton Aviation, to include references to the wing fuel tank system and radio installation. The following limitations shall apply: 1 Aerobatics are permitted * 2 Spinning is prohibited 3 Maximum take-off weight authorised 3538 kg (7800 lb) 4 Maximum landing weight 3380 kg (7450 lb) * 5 V NE 340 KIAS * 6 No smoking * 7 Maximum Boost at 3000 RPM, + 9 psi or in emergency + 12 psi. 8 CG range +3.5 in to + 6.39 in AOD. The datum is defined as the junction of the centre line of Frame 5 and the horizontal datum line which is parallel to and three inches below the thrust line. Its position is indicted by a plate on the fuselage side near the fireproof bulkhead. * 9 Oxygen system inoperative. * 10 Occupant warning placard to be fixed in cockpit. * Tobeplacarded NOTE: V NE above has been selected by the applicant, the service limit speed is 385 KIAS (SL - 20,000 ft) 6.0 Inspection 5
The applicant has provided evidence acceptable to the CAA to establish that this aeroplane has been overhauled, repaired and modified in accordance with the relevant documentation and that its condition is satisfactory and airworthy. 10.0 Approval This aircraft G-IXCC is approved for the issue of a Permit to Fly provided that it is operated in accordance with the limitations and procedures contained in the Pilots Notes referred to in paragraph 6 above and is maintained in accordance with AP's covering airframe, engine and propeller. FJTucker... Surveyor (Design) (Avionics) For the Civil Aviation Authority Date 24 May 1991