spitfire mk xvi specifications

This Spitfire has the "cropped" Merlin 45 series engine and the "clipped" wings. While Spitfire IXs converted from Mk Vcs had the large teardrop fairings on the upper surfaces, on the majority of Mk VIIs, VIIIs, IXs and XVIs the teardrop shaped blisters covering the Hispano feed motors were reduced in size and more streamlined than those on the Mk Vc. The clipped wings increased the roll rate and top speed due to a reduction in drag, but sacrificed some of the fighter's climb rate. As a result, the prefixes which were used on most later Spitfire variants; LF, F, and HF; indicated whether the engines fitted were suited for low, medium or high altitude, respectively. In combination with the wing tanks this gave a total internal capacity of 122 gal (554.6 L), a near 50% increase over the 85 gal (386.4 L) carried by earlier Spitfire marks. [32] Early production Spitfire Mk IXs suffered from vapour locks in the fuel lines resulting from fuel evaporating if the aircraft was parked in direct sunlight. After a series of accidents to Mk Vs in 1942 the A&AEE concluded that the break ups were due to longitudinal-instability, resulting from incorrect loading of the aircraft on the squadrons causing the. The Mk XVI possesses all the characteristics of the LF Mk IX regarding armament and performance at low-altitude. "The Supermarine Spitfire.". All Mk XVI aircraft produced were of the Low-Altitude Fighter (LF) variety. [4] During production of the Mk VIII and Mk IX a new undercarriage leg was introduced which had external v-shaped "scissor-links" fitted to the front of the leg; this also led to small changes in the shape of the undercarriage bay and leg fairings. [34] The first of these was delivered to 541 Squadron at RAF Benson on 30 November 1942. When development started on new Merlin 60 powered Spitfires, both the Mk VII and VIII were to have photo-reconnaissance (PR) variants. Spitfire Mk IX > WW2 Weapons - World Wars 1914-18 and 1939-45 Compared to similar Merlin Spitfires the turn rate is far worse, higher-altitude performance is abysmal, and climb performance is worse, though marginally. The new wing allowed for a four cannon armament and the inner bays could carry heavy machine guns. Boom and Run is by far the best-recommended tactic. The full remedy was to use the Bendix-Stromberg pressure carburettor, which allowed more precise metering of the amount of fuel used by the engine and prevented fuel starvation. Some production aircraft had rear fuselage fuel tanks in addition to the main tank which allowed it to fly approximately as far as the Spitfire Mk VIII. The Spitfire F Mk XVI can be outfitted with the following ordnance: The Spitfire F Mk XVI is quite unique with its clipped wings. Spitfire Mk. XVI Bubbletop - ProfiPack Edition - Eduard 70126 (These outer guns had always been the less effective part of a Spitfire's armament: their distance from the centreline made them hard to harmonise and in turning engagements, wing flexing meant that the rounds were even more widely scattered). Spitfires with this armament were at first referred to as Spifire LF.IX .5 and the E suffix was not officially introduced until early 1945. [37], The capacity of the main fuel tanks was 48 gal for the upper tank and 37 gal for the lower, for a total internal capacity of 85 gal. Palfrey, Brett R. and Christopher Whitehead. The later Griffon-engined Spitfire variants embodied new wings, tail units and undercarriages and were very different from any of the earlier Spitfire marks. Crew: 1. Thankfully, it retains a good climb rate, even if it is not as high as that of the unclipped Spitfire variants. It served with the Royal Air Force and other allied air forces pre and post the Second World War. Supermarine Spitfire HF Mk VI - HistoryOfWar.org [5] The first-stage impeller compressed the air-fuel mixture and this was then fed to the smaller second-stage impeller which further compressed the mixture. On the 21st April and on his very first flight in TB 752, the Squadron 'C.O. Because the threat from high altitude bombers never materialised many Mk VIIs later reverted to the normal, rounded wingtip. Some early production models had extended wingtips but the majority were fitted with the standard version. Up until the end of 1942, the RAF names had Roman numerals for mark numbers. Specifications Impellers were often referred to as "rotors". As a result, the Air Staff decided that PR Mk XI production should be accelerated at the cost of the fighters. Good airspeed and boost. Using 100 Octane fuel and +12 lb/in boost the Merlin III was capable of generating 1,310 hp (977 kW). Two-stage refers to the use of two impellers on a common driveshaft, constituting two superchargers in series. ", intercepted a Ju 86R at over 40,000 feet (12,000m), 318 (Polish) "City of Gdask" Fighter-Reconnaissance Squadron, Supermarine Spitfire (early Merlin powered variants), Supermarine Spitfire (Griffon-powered variants), Allied technological cooperation during World War II, Military history of the United Kingdom during World War II, Supermarine Spitfire (early Merlin-powered variants), Supermarine Spitfire variants: specifications, performance and armament, Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment, Alan Le Marinel hosts Supermarine Spitfire, Spitfire/Seafire Serial Numbers, production contracts and aircraft histories, Warbird Alley: Spitfire page Information about Spitfires still flying today, K5054 Supermarine Type 300 prototype Spitfire & production aircraft history, The Spitfire: Seventy Years On Includes images of the factory, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Supermarine_Spitfire_(late_Merlin-powered_variants)&oldid=1149808538, Supermarine 305: Designed to the same specification as the. The Spitfire XVI was the last major version of the Spitfire to be powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin before introduction of the RR Griffon powered variants. Some 15,000 man hours later 752 re-emerged in pristine condition and returned to Manston on 15th September 1979. This was believed to be the only RAF Spitfire unit to use rockets operationally during the Second World War. 16 Squadron, which was a unit of the 2nd TAF, used several FR Mk IXs (painted a pale, "Camoutint" Pink, which provided excellent camouflage under cloud cover) to photograph the Arnhem area before and during Operation Market Garden. Lysander Avenue, These aircraft lacked the "wet wing" tanks, meaning that the PR Mk IX relied on drop tanks for extra range. Can we talk about the Spitfire Mk. XVI? : r/Warthunder - Reddit Early Mk IXs had a teardrop shaped blister (a bulge) for a Coffman engine starter[nb 1]on the lower starboard side cowling, just behind the propeller. The F Mk VIII's top speed was 408mph (657km/h) at 25,000ft (404mph for the LF Mk VIII at 21,000ft (6,400m) and 416mph (669km/h) for the HF Mk VIII at 26,500ft), with a service ceiling of 43,000ft (41,500ft for the LF Mk VIII and 44,000ft (13,000m) for the HF Mk VIII). [45], A policy change resulted in the pressurised PR variant of the Mk VII being renamed PR Mk X (type 387). [8], Structurally identical to the C wing. Still, there are some American and German planes that can outspeed and outdive this plane (especially since it locks up and may rip at high speeds), and the unclipped Merlin Spitfires outclimb this one. Supermarine Type 224 In 1931, the Air Ministry released specification F7/30, calling for a modern fighter capable of a flying speed of 250 mph (400 km/h). Crew: one pilot; Length: 30 ft (9.14 m) Wingspan: 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m) Height: 10 ft (3.05 m) Wing area: 242.1 ft2 (22.48 m2) Airfoil: NACA 2209.4(tip) Empty weight: 6,578 lb (2,984 kg) Loaded weight: 7,923 lb (3,593 kg) Max. This also applied to the PR Mk Xs and most PR Mk XIs. Supermarine Spitfire LF.Mk.XVIe (RAF TE214 displayed as DN-T 416 RAF Squadron) on display (9/22/2003) at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Mount Hope, Ontario, Canada (John Shupek photos) . I hated the extended wingtipsThey were of no practical value to the Mark VIII and simply reduced the aileron response and the rate of roll. [31], The HF Mk IX was powered by the specialised high altitude Merlin 70 and entered service in the Spring of 1944. [26][27] The first Mk IX was a modified Mk Vc AB505, which was tested by the Air Fighting Development Unit (AFDU) in April 1942. [50], The PR Mk XIII was an improved PR Type G with a single-stage Merlin engine and is described in Supermarine Spitfire (early Merlin powered variants), The Mk XVI was the same as the Mk IX in nearly all respects except for the engine, a Merlin 266. Due to the many differences in production Spitfires, performance could vary widely, even between aircraft with the same Mark number. This was replaced by an improved electric starter on most two-stage Merlin powered Spitfires and, from late 1942 the blister like bulge was seen on only a few aircraft. While early Mk VIIs were fitted with a detachable canopy, secured by four pilot-operated catches, later Mk VIIs were fitted with a "Lobelle"-type hood which opened by sliding backwards, as on non-pressurised versions of the Spitfire. Not only because they let us know that we enjoy the support and interest of our visitors but also because, like many charities, we can claim Gift Aid support which could add an additional 20% to our donated income. was 1,390hp (1,036kW) at 25,900 feet (7,900m) using + 15lb/in of boost. [6] Although many earlier Spitfires had been modified to carry bomb racks capable of carrying 250lb (110kg) bombs the first Spitfires to be specifically modified for the fighter-bomber role (known as Modification 1209) were those of the Second Tactical Air Force. The design of the wing was altered to reduce labour and manufacturing time and carry various armaments: A type, B type, or four 20mm Hispano cannon. The SpitfireF MkXVI is a rank IV British fighter The fairings over the Hispano barrels were shorter and there was usually a short rubber stub covering the outer cannon port. Tools K9795, the 9th production Mk I, with 19 Squadron. ', Squadron Leader 'Hank' Zary DFC RCAF destroyed a Me 109. The debut of the formidable Focke-Wulf Fw 190 in late 1941 had caused problems for RAF fighter squadrons flying the latest Spitfire Mk Vb. Supermarine 324, 325 and 327: These designs were for twin-engined fighters which used the same construction techniques and elliptical wing as the Spitfire. Depending on the supercharger fitted, engines were rated as low altitude (e.g.
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