Pong
Staff Sergeant
I was wondering....What Supermarine Spitfire version is the best? The Mark Vb? The Mark I? Choose your favorite Spit!
Best Spitfire version
- Thread starter Pong
- Start date
Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
Wildcat
Major
The MkVIII is my favourite, but its not on the list.
claidemore
Senior Airman
What the heck, I'll vote for the Mk XIII, lucky 13. 
Best of both my hobbies, photography and fighter planes.
Best of both my hobbies, photography and fighter planes.
Zarathos
Airman
Mk VIII, but as it's not in the pool - Seafire. I always liked the idea of having Spitfire on a carrier. If not for the range..
SoD Stitch
Banned
I voted for the first Griffon-powered Mark, the XII.
Sgt. Pappy
Airman 1st Class
- 197
- Jun 7, 2006
bah the Spitfire VIII is the best overall. It was the only standard production Spitfire in which ALL units had more than a sloppy + 400 mile range. The Spit VIII had at least 660 miles on internal fuel after startup/warm-up. It had the performance of a Mk.IX, was able to haul a 1000 lb bomb load (after bomb rack retro-fit of course) and could climb and turn with best of them. Jeffrey Quill stated it was the nicest handling of all Merlin engine Spits. Plus it had a retractable tailwheel which increased its awesome-ness.
And what happened to the IX? The version that put the Spitfire back in the top fighter category in 1942?
And what happened to the IX? The version that put the Spitfire back in the top fighter category in 1942?
trackend
Chief Master Sergeant
The Spiteful type371 (483mph) which flew in june 1944 and in theory was going to be the Spits replacement but to all intents was a moded spitfire would be my choice but of the list its the Seafire for me (beautiful clean lines)
drgondog
Major
Good to see you back Trackend - I sure missed the avatar - it reminds me of my neighbor across the pasture <grin>
I have always like the XIV a little bit more than the rest of those magnificent fighters.. would have loved to fly one.
Hot Space
Tech Sergeant
The XIV cos it looks a real bitch in combat 8)
If its just a personal pick. I would go for a Spit MKX. Incredible range, pressurised cockpit and no cannons to spoil its perfect lines. No griffon bits obstructing the view at the front or that awful bubble canopy(Ok it great for dogfighting but I want a tourer).
Has to be PRU blue though as camo is dull and pink is just girlie.
Has to be PRU blue though as camo is dull and pink is just girlie.
Colin1
Senior Master Sergeant
What?
No Mk XVIII?
No Mk XVIII?
Joseph Stalin
Recruit
Always liked the carrier-based versions of any plane and spitfire is no exception, seafire is spectacular with those folded wings, this adds sophistication to the all-time classic fighter, plus the contra-rotating propeller blades and markings of the later versions make it a great looking machine both in reality and as a model. By the way, what was name of the spitfire with floats?
Last edited:
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Bit of an old thread, but it was Spitfire (with floats)!
Sorry, but once 'they' b*ggered about with folding wings for the navy boys, and especially the contra-rotating prop, it made a beautiful swan into a not that effective ugly duckling!
Sorry, but once 'they' b*ggered about with folding wings for the navy boys, and especially the contra-rotating prop, it made a beautiful swan into a not that effective ugly duckling!
buffnut453
Captain
Bucking the trend (yeah, like THAT's new for me!), I'm going with the earlier marks but I can't decide between the MkI/II or the MkV/Vb. To me, the Griffon engined variants look out-of-balance - too much engine and not enough airframe. I prefer the simplicity of line in the earlier marks. I'd probably lump for the Va since I have a nice print on my wall of Robert Taylor's painting "Spitfire" showing Bader's and Johnson's aircraft cavorting in the sunlight. I think I'll lie down now...!
Jabberwocky
Staff Sergeant
In terms of the balance between performance and handling, the Mk VIII was probably the best Spitfire.
As fast as the Mk IX, slightly quicker in a dive and a zoom, slightly slower in the climb. The revised wing structure also meant less gun jams. The structure was beefed up a bit and the aircraft had nicer aileron and rudder characteristics than the Mk V or Mk IX (similar to the Mk XII). Some Mediterranean Mk VIIIs had the 'basta' modification enabling +25lbs boost, giving the Merlin up to an extra 300 hp.
Geoffrey Quill thought the Mk VIII the nicest of all the Spitfire Mks, particularly above 20,000 ft.
The Mk VIII has the added benefit of having much better range than the earlier types: about 200 miles better than a Mk I and about 300 miles better than a Mk IX on internal fuel. Short legs were always a problem with the Spitfire and its a shame that the Mk VIII didn't enter production earlier, to operate longer ranged patrols over Western Europe.
The 'what ifs' if the Mk VIII entered service in late 1942 in Europe are most interesting. Look at the similarly fueled Mk VIIs doing escorts to La Pallice/La Rochelle in 1943 with 90 gal D/Ts: range enough to take Spitfires to the German border, if not a little beyond and into the Rhur.
In terms of combat performance though, the Mk XIVe was probably the best Spitfire. While the later Mks (21 onwards) were more powerful and slightly faster with heavier armament (4 x 20 mm), they suffered from degraded handling, particularly a tendency for the aircraft to tighten in turns and 'hunt' when the control column was returned to neutral. Trim problems were noted, as well as a tendency to roll in dives. Even the enlarged Spiteful type tail and revised ailerons couldn't remedy the problems entirely.
For me, the handling disadvantages past the Mk XIV render the slight performance improvements useless.
As fast as the Mk IX, slightly quicker in a dive and a zoom, slightly slower in the climb. The revised wing structure also meant less gun jams. The structure was beefed up a bit and the aircraft had nicer aileron and rudder characteristics than the Mk V or Mk IX (similar to the Mk XII). Some Mediterranean Mk VIIIs had the 'basta' modification enabling +25lbs boost, giving the Merlin up to an extra 300 hp.
Geoffrey Quill thought the Mk VIII the nicest of all the Spitfire Mks, particularly above 20,000 ft.
The Mk VIII has the added benefit of having much better range than the earlier types: about 200 miles better than a Mk I and about 300 miles better than a Mk IX on internal fuel. Short legs were always a problem with the Spitfire and its a shame that the Mk VIII didn't enter production earlier, to operate longer ranged patrols over Western Europe.
The 'what ifs' if the Mk VIII entered service in late 1942 in Europe are most interesting. Look at the similarly fueled Mk VIIs doing escorts to La Pallice/La Rochelle in 1943 with 90 gal D/Ts: range enough to take Spitfires to the German border, if not a little beyond and into the Rhur.
In terms of combat performance though, the Mk XIVe was probably the best Spitfire. While the later Mks (21 onwards) were more powerful and slightly faster with heavier armament (4 x 20 mm), they suffered from degraded handling, particularly a tendency for the aircraft to tighten in turns and 'hunt' when the control column was returned to neutral. Trim problems were noted, as well as a tendency to roll in dives. Even the enlarged Spiteful type tail and revised ailerons couldn't remedy the problems entirely.
For me, the handling disadvantages past the Mk XIV render the slight performance improvements useless.
Agreed Buff, the early Spits were the best looking and probably easiest/best flyers for a young and inexperienced pilot.
