Beam approach on Spitfires
 

Hi Guise

I am interested to try to establish why beam approach flying aids were installed in single seat fighters in 1944 and 1945. My knowledge/technical understanding of radio and radar kit is not good!

I have been aware for sometime that photos of Spitfire XIVs often show a small "stinger" type aerial under the fuselage just behind the wing trailing edge. I have seen this explained once or twice as a "beam approach aerial".

I was prompted recently to investigate this a bit further using a variety of published sources but especially "Spitfire - the history" by Morgan and Shacklady where most of the photos show factory/developmental airframes ie non-op airframes. I found that most of the photos of Spitfire XIVs in M&S show the stinger. So I thought lets check the Spitfire IX and XVI photos and found that not one photo showed the "stinger". I am in the process of triangulating that with photos of operational Spitfire IXs/XVIs in other published sources and so far I have not found a single example of an aircraft with the stinger. Then I went on to check the Spitfire XVIII in M&S and sure enough most of the photos show the stinger.

I have not yet found any explanation in M&S as to the purpose of the stinger but it seems to me that it is significant that both the Mk XIV and XVIII were built for a recce role and camera fit. The absence of the beam approach aerial on other single seat types suggests that the RAF did not, at this time, have a general concern about instrument landing issues for single seaters. It seems to be the case that the installation of this type of flying aid was something to do with the Tac/R or PR role?

Can anyone throw any light on this or point me towards another source of help?

Thanks very much
Steve