YAS Spifire
Sept 2005
Additional Notes:
Taken from " From the Cockpit, Spitfire", Wg Cdr T.F. Neil DFC*, AFC, AE, Ian Allan Ltd, London, 1990.

p12 " I turn on my navigation lights -green on my right wing, red to my left, of course; no one flew with nav lights burning in wartime - or if they did, not for long!
I wave away the chocks... and begin to jink-Spits being BRUTES to taxi, the nose stretching so far in front. But I can't make too much of a meal of getting to the end of the runwayas the engine heats up very quickly even with the rad flap fully open and I can't afford to let the temperature get beyond 100deg otherwise the engine will boild during take-off, spout steam and corruption all over everwhere and frighten me to death.
So, I continue more rapidly, the brakes hissing like Cobras and the engine favouring me with pungent snarls as I negotiate each bend.

I stop and note with satisfaction that my compass and DI (direction Indicator) record exactly the direction of the runway.

My Spit is trembling and eager to be off as I check my cockpit for the umpteenth time. Elevator trim - one division down; rudder - full right on the bias; mixture - forget it; pitch - fully fine; flaps - up; fuel - both tanks levers up and contents checked; harness and hood - locked and secure. A final glance at the radiator temperature, which is close to 100, making sure the rad flap is open. After which, I move foreward carefully, kicking the rudder.

I never attempt to raise the tail on a Spit but just allow the aircraft to sort itself out... I advance the throttle to get her running straight and we set off at a fast trot.In moments we are rolling nicely down the centreline at which point I open up firmly to +6 Lb boost. kicking the rudder to keep the mettlesome creature on course. Then, in a firm movement, my throttle right up to the gate so that with +9Lb showing on the gauge, my Spit is fairly flying down the runway....

In seconds she is rising - touching - finally lifting away cleanly..... the exhausts of the raging engine cherry-red with snarling effort, everything tight and vibrating. Up wheels! I change hands on the control column and move the lever a little, 1/2 inch to the left, then up and into its notch. The single green light disappears, the rotating wheels shaking violently until I stop them with a touch of the brake, after which - just for several moments during which I wonder if the hydraulic system is going to work - a minor 'clump' and a red light appears. In position and locked!

I throttle back a trifle, note the slight deceleration and reduction in commotion up front, then , with 150 on the clock, climb away..... The best climbing speed of a Spit low down is about 180...I throttle back to about +6 Lb boost - no need to break my neck - reduce to 2,650 revs and allow the aircraft to take up its proper climbing attitude. After that, as arranged, I press button 'B' on my radio and call Sector."