Best Fighter

[cheddar cheese]

Err...yes!

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I will agree with you partially CC. The earlier Spitfires I think were quite dull and not very good looking especially in the canopy and rudder area but the aircraft became quite attractive I think in the later models, when they started using the bubble canopies.

 

[Lightning Guy]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by describing the Spit (or any airplane) as dull. As far as appearance goes, the early Spits had alot going for them and had a sleeker look to them. Without the long barrelled cannons, blisters over the cannon drums, or buldged cowling for the Griffon, the Mark II seemed more streamlined than the Mk. XIV.

 

[redcoat]

I tend to like the look of the later Spits, more than the Mark I or II. The earlier Mks had a round top to the tail, while on the later marks it was more pointed, which looks far better in my view.
Same with the propeller hub, thats quite rounded on earlier mks, while its more pointed on later mks, again I think that looks better.


But I must admit to hating the late model Spits with a bubble canopy, they are horrid..... ugh!!!!!!!

 

[plan_D]

The cannon armed ones look better, they look MEANER!

 

[cheddar cheese]

I prefer the Spits with the Griffon engine and Bubble canopies, but I still dont think theyre that great. I think the Hurricane was far better looking 8)

 

[Nonskimmer]

Nut.

No, I like the look of the Hurricane too.
And as much as I like how the Spitfires looked, IMO the tail of the Mk.XXII just looks out of proportion. It spoils the look.

 

[cheddar cheese]

Go on then what MK Spit do YOU think looks the best?

 

[Nonskimmer]

Any but the Mk.XXII.
Actually I like the look of most of them, but to me they started to look the best from about the Mk.VIII onward. 8)
Actually, better make that the Mk.IX onward since it was released first.

 

[cheddar cheese]

Well I like the XXII

The 5 bladed prop looked great...

 

[Nonskimmer]

Yeah, I like the multibladed prop look too.

 

[cheddar cheese]

What was the last Mk of Spit to be made in the war?

 

[Nonskimmer]

I thought it was the Mk.XXII. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[cheddar cheese]

I thought there was a Mk XXVI

 

[Nonskimmer]

Never heard of that one.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I agree with CC, I like the XXII the best. I just think the earlier ones were not very sleak and I hate the canopies on them. Dont take me wrong it is just my personal opionion on them. The later ones looked great with the bubble canapy and to me the more stream lined look. I think the same way about my favorite fighter the Me-109. I just love the Me-109F, G, and K series. I think they just looked awesome, but I hate from the B to the E series. The E started looking better but I did not the like the roter hub with the flat tip and did not like the edged wing tips. The F onwards just looked more streamlined and more beautiful and the same goes for the Spitfire I believe.

 

[Nonskimmer]

Thanks for the cool pics!

And yeah, the later model 109's looked pretty snazzy too, IMO.

 

[cheddar cheese]

Especially the K series 8)

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I thought there was a Mk XXVI

I have been able to find up to a Mk. XXIV.

Supermarine Spitfire 23: Intended variant based on Mk 22 with improved 'laminar flow' wing. Prototype wing development (Supermarine Type 372) using Griffon-engined Supermarine Spitfire VIII QG204), first flown January 1944, and Mk 21 prototype (PP139). Production plans cancelled.
Supermarine Spitfire F Mk 24: Post-war development of Mk22.
http://www.jaapteeuwen.com/ww2aircraft/html%20pages/SUPERMARINE%20SPITFIRE%20(Griffon,%20fighter).htm

 

[Nonskimmer]

Yeah, the Mk.XXIV just missed out on the war.