This is a poster of P7350, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Spitfire Mk2a. The only Spitfire still flying that saw action in the Battle of Britain. It was described by Sqn Ldr Andy Millikin in the 2018 film Spitfire as "in my opinion the most precious flying machine on the planet bar … the Apollo 11 command capsule". This poster is signed by the BBMF OC for 2025, Mark Sugden as well as other pilots on the BBMF such as ex OC and Sqn Ldr Mark Discombe MBE and almost all the engineering team. Click to see a high resolution image.
This poster was given to AuthentiKit in thanks for the help we have provided in helping them build a Spitfire simulator for emergency training and display practice. This poster can be yours.
The Competition Rules
We are running a competition and the winner will receive this poster. It will be posted (unframed) anywhere in the world. The idea of the competition is to demonstrate how easy it is to assemble AuthentiKit controls and in short the winner is the one who can assemble the AuthentiKit Spitfire Trim Wheels most quickly.
To submit your entry you need to video yourself assembling this Spitfire trim wheel set and upload the video to YouTube, alerting AuthentiKit to your video by including @AuthentiKit in the description.
You must include a clearly visible stopwatch in the video (ideally a large display like a smartphone) and there must be no edits between the start of assembly and the end.
Although this competition will appeal mainly to members of the AuthentiKit community you do not need to be have existing experience - new members are always welcome. However, mainly in mind of existing AuthentiKit community members there are a few concessions to the assembly steps as follows:
- If you already have an assembled trim wheel set, you can dismantle it and reassemble it. In fact anyone can assemble it once (or more) to familiarise themselves before doing the official submission
- You can begin with the cork discs pre-stuck to the Roten bases - no need to rip off the old and reapply
- You can begin with the wires pre-cut to length and pre-stripped
- There is no need to do the white lettering infill
The Beginning: Apart from these concessions, at the point when assembly begins and the clock starts all the printed parts and hardware must be separate and unconnected.
The End: You may stop the clock when the trim wheels look like the picture above and all parts are assembled. You do not need to assemble the accompanying Universal Hub for this video and equally you do not need to demonstrate the trim wheels are functional, however if there are any very obvious wiring errors the submission will not be valid.
We should add please don’t rush with sharp tools – it’s just a bit of fun; no prize is worth sliced fingers!
Example
Here's an example from a previous competition we ran a few years ago when the trim wheels were separate. The challenge was to assemble a single elevator trim wheel, but of course this new competition is to assemble the two wheel kit as shown in the picture above. TLDR = 7m 02s
A Second Chance - The Creative Award
If that all sounds a bit too frantic for you there is a second chance to win because we actually have not one but two of these signed posters. For the creative award you still need to assemble the Spitfire trim wheels and the rules for uploading to YouTube are just the same but rather than being the fastest, the winner of this second poster will be the person who makes the most interesting and creative video. We’ll be looking at things like storytelling (especially any Spitfire or BBMF connections), humour, use of music or editing, and how well your video showcases the AuthentiKit trim wheels. The judges’ decision is final. Assembly time does not matter for the creative award – take as long as you like.
A Third Chance to Win
Although we only have two signed posters we also have a third unsigned poster of P7350 and simply for taking part in the competition you'll be in the random draw for winning this. So, why not have a go. It's highly unlikely there will be hundreds of people doing this so your odds of winning something are pretty good!
Timeframe and summary of the rules
- All videos must be uploaded to YouTube on your own account with a title containing the words "AuthentiKit Spitfire Trim Wheels Challenge" and the description must contain the tag @AuthentiKit. Optionally you can add hashtags AuthentiKit #SpitfireTrimWheelChallenge #Spitfire #FlightSim
- Videos must be set to Public so that we and others can easily view and share them
- The description should also include the following two links to the download for the trim wheels and to AuthentiKit so that new people can find these
- https://authentikit.org
- https://download.authentikit.org/filebase/index.php?file/56-spitfire-mkix-trim-wheels-starter-kit/
- Videos must be posted to YouTube by 11:59 (UK time) on December 31st, 2025 - so if it all gets a bit hectic in the run up to Christmas you can have a crack at this between Christmas and the new year
- If you're trying to win fastest time a stopwatch must be clearly visible in the frame throughout and no video editing is allowed from the assembly start to assembly finish
- As you saw in the example video there is no need to show your face, in fact it would impair the visibility of the build. Let's just see your hands and the building process, certainly once the stopwatch starts
- At the point the stopwatch is started all hardware and printed parts must be separate apart from the concessions listed above
- If you don’t have a 3D printer, you can still take part by using a compatible kit such as those from SimKitSupplies
- Only the trim wheel unit needs to be assembled. See above for how you should begin and when the assembly is deemed complete
- If there is any dispute about rules the judges decision is final
- Winners will be notified by a comment on their YouTube video by the AuthentiKit YouTube channel. Please check replies on your video in early January
- By entering, you agree that AuthentiKit may share, embed, and feature your video and screenshots from it on our website, social media, and in compilation videos, with credit to your YouTube channel
- Multiple entries are allowed - up to a maximum of 3 video submissions
- This competition is organised by AuthentiKit and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
- If you’re under 18, please make sure a parent or guardian is aware of your entry and handles any communication or shipping details if you win
- Please take part and help spread the word about AuthentiKit. Everyone who enters will be listed on a ‘Roll of Honour’ on authentikit.org
- Extra chance to win (announced Dec 6th) - first valid submission wins an unsigned print