RAAF Spitfire Mk.VIII aerial (? antenna) configuration?

[rieser]

Getting closer to finishing Tamiya's Royal Australian Air Force Spitfire MK.VIII.

 

 

Might anyone know what aerial (? antenna) configuration was used on these aircraft?  Any advice very much appreciated.  Cheers, Ralph.

[Edgar Brooks]

VHF radio aerial was short enough to be contained inside the aerial mast, therefore invisible. By the time of the VIII's entry into Pacific theatre service, the long IFF aerials, from fuselage to tailplanes, had been replaced by a single bar aerial (about 12" long, and 1" wide, and there's at least one photo where it's visible) under the starboard wing, roughly in line with, and just in front of, the inner aileron hinge.

Edgar

[benjaminsummerfield]

Had a look in ospreys aces of Burma and the pacific and I can't see an VIII with visible aerials either to the tail planes or rudder.

[rieser]

Hello Edgar.  Many thanks for the information - very much appreciated.  Thankfully Tamiya supplies the underwing bar aerial that you describe.

 

Benjamin:  many thatnks for helping out.

 

Cheers, Ralph.