Spitfire V EP615 lying in pieces at Willenhall on July 18, 1942. The author escaped from it with a few bruises, cuts and scratches. The Merlin engine has been wrenched away from the airframe and the starboard wing snapped off at the root by an oak tree.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.V - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941

Spitfire V EP615 lying in pieces at Willenhall on July 18, 1942. The author escaped from it with a few bruises, cuts and scratches. The Merlin engine has been wrenched away from the airframe and the starboard wing snapped off at the root by an oak tree.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.V - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941

Left, another view of Spitfire V EP615 after its forced landing at Willenhall. Right, the propeller ended up in the kitchen of this house.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.V - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941

Two further views of Spitfire V EP615 after its forced landing at Willenhall. The engine, left, came to rest very close to the house, and some of the propeller blades penetrated the wall of the kitchen.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.V - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941

A few feet further and this story could have had a very different ending. Remnants of EP615 scattered around the house at Willenhall.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.V - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941

A close-up of the cockpit area of Spitfire V EP615. As the aircraft careered forward, minus its engine, the blunt engine bulkhead hit an obstruction causing the fuselage to break in half behind the pilot's seat. The author managed to release himself and walk out of this mess

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.V - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941

The diagram shows the layout of the gear drives in a Merlin. The skew gears are located between the lines pointing to the magnetos, and the main drive bevels are directly below.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.V - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941