Spitfire flypast! [Explored #1]

Sporting a desert camouflage scheme, this Spitfire is a Mk IX, serial LZ842 and giving its first public display. This aircraft was built in 1943 and saw service in Malta and Italy.

 

The propeller spinner is painted red as an important visual 'friend or foe' identification aid.

The spinner itself houses the mechanism for altering the pitch of the propeller blades. Changing the pitch is a bit like changing gear in a car; a fine pitch is used for take off, and a coarse pitch for maximum efficiency and power in cruising flight.

 

This Spitfire was displaying over Old Warden aerodrome.

Done