Official Data Sheet for the Spitfire XIV (Griffon 65) says:
- | Permanent Tanks | 30 gall. Drop Tank | 90 gall. Drop Tank |
Fuel Carried (gall.) | 112 | 142 | 202 |
Allowance (T.O. climb to 20,000) | 25 | 26 | 27 |
Range (miles at most econ. speed) | 460 | 610 | 850 |
Range (miles at max cont. cruise) | 350 | 470 | 690 |
Combat Allowance for every 5 min at combat rating (2,750 rpm +18lb) reduce above ranges by:
75 miles at most econ. speed
55 miles at max cont. cruise
Thank you.
as a rough estimate let us say that our MK XIV gets to Berlin with 160 gallons aboard. (increase internal tank, 1/2 full 90 gal slipper tank, what ever) fuel to get to Berlin being supplied by under wing fuel tanks that are dropped. 10 minutes of combat (not 15min) will take about 27 gallons of fuel, leaving 133 for the trip home. It is 377 miles (or so) from Berlin to Leiden on the Dutch coast and running at a speed that splits the difference in fuel consumption between max cont. and most econ. gives about 4.65mpg and uses 81 gallons of fuel. This leaves 52 gallons but the plane can slow to most econ. for the over water portion. It is 138-141 miles from Leiden to Norwich/Ipswich and at 5.25mpg that takes about another 26 gallons leaving about 26 gallons in the tank.
It looks 'Possible' but still may be a bit iffy as to being
practical. Leaving aside how the plane would fly with a pair of 60 gal under wing tanks (roughly)in addition to the extra 48 gallon over normal tankage this "estimate" makes no allowance for headwinds coming back from Berlin, no allowance for finding and orbiting home field/s unless that was included in the data sheet? it also is flying almost a straight line with only a slight dog leg. It also uses 10 minutes at combat power, using 15 minutes of combat power
could put you over the Ipswich/Norwich line with about 13 gallons in the tank/s which
might be enough for 20 minutes or a bit less at most economical.
Anybody want to poke holes at it
It looks a bit thin to try on a regular basis. Please note that is pretty much a straight fly to Berlin, drop
theoretical wing tanks, fight for 10-15 minutes and head straight back to England. Not the most realistic or practical combat mission as it also makes no provision for actually escorting bombers or rendezvousing with them.