PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Reason for/advantage of the ‘spade grip’ on the Spitfire and Hurricane
Old 9th Mar 2021, 12:22
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pithblot
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Abeam YAYE
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Antipodean Spitfire

Let’s not forget the antipodean Spitfire, the mighty Victa Airtourer 100!

Located aft of the lawnmower-pull-to-start-handle and between the P1 and P2 seats, the Victa square-shaped spade grip (shovel?) allowed either the Captain or the First Officer to resume control in the event of an auto pilot malfunction.

(And it’s really quite a nice little aeroplane, on a cold day).
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