Which is the best Spitfire mark?

Which Spitfire mark is the best?


  • Total voters
    42

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I think many of the changes intended for the cancelled variants were slowly incorporated into the "stop gap" this gives our modelling section no end of fun.
 
I see the Mk XVI has got one vote and the Mk IX has 4 - shouldn't they be put together, since the main difference is the source of the motor, the XVI having a Packard.
 
Resp:
I just finished reading about the RAAF in the Pacific during WWII, where they used the MkV and MkVIII Spitifres. There were three (3) major problems with these Spitfires; short range, too fragile for the climate and had a constant problem with the 20MM cannons (failed to function when needed). Therefore, they were used primarily for 'air defense' of Allied bases/airfields. These traits kept them from participating in the 'push' of Japanese forces eastward. However, their high altitude capability was well suited to air defense, as in the Battle of Britain.
 
It matters to all pilots.
 
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That's one of the reasons I voted for the Mk I.

It was also the lightest, most manoeuvrable and, by all accounts, the nicest to fly.

Cheers

Steve
Resp:
The same could be said of the Allison engine Mustang variants, as it was much easier to fly than the P-51B onward. But air to air combat is why the Merlin was used.
 
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Resp:
The same could be said of the Allison engine Mustang variants, as it was much easier to fly the the P-51B onward. But air to air combat is why the Merlin was used.
A tiger moth is easier to fly, aircraft became harder to fly as technology progressed. Altitude performance was the reason for the Merlin engine and range was the reason for the P-51 airframe.
 
In reviewing info on RAAF Spitfires, I noticed in two b/w photos they show only one 'roundel' on the upper wings, and that it was on the right wing, instead of being on the left like US military aircraft. Am I correct in that they used the upper right wing for the national roundel?
 

I am no expert on Australian markings, but all their Spitfires were manufactured in the UK (and technically remained the property of the UK government). The roundels and other national markings were applied at the point of production, which means if they were absent it was the Australians who had altered them.

Spitfires in Australia, and the PTO, gradually lost the red in all their national markings, ending up with the familiar blue and white markings. These can be hard to see in some B/W images.

There are also images, including this screenshot, of modellers' favourite 'Grey Nurse' which has clearly undergone some serious repair.



Cheers

Steve
 

Thanks Steve. The other b/w photo is a MkV in natural overall metal finish. The fuselage in front of the cockpit is painted black all the way to the spinner. It has roundels and code letter on the rear fuselage, but on one roundel on top, which is the R wing.
 
Found a photo of a Mk.V that had the right roundel nearly obliterated from "....many flying hours...", the left one nearly intact. It served with five different squadrons, No. 2 OTU, 457, 54, 457 again and finally 83 Squadron. It might be just a case of neglect. I've got two books on RAAF Spitfires and all photos showing the top surfaces have two roundels. It would be my luck that the aerial shots of aircraft taken from below had one roundel. Do you know the serial number or squadron?
 
Resp:
Serial A58-250 with code letters SH K, 85 Sqd.
 
It's a bit of a hard question to answer. My head is saying the Mk lX as it pretty much rained supreme for the rest of the war.
But my heart says i have to agree with Stoner, the Spitfire Mk l interceptor was the first no frills advanced fighter to really make a huge tactical & psychological impact on German aircraft during the bob. And for a fighter that Luftwaffe generals described as and i quote: "A pretty little toy" that just wouldnt compare to the advanced Bf - 109. Ignorance and complacent thought are a dangerous ignorance to have. The end of the day the Spitfire Mkl did exactly what it was designed to do. Keep British skies clear of enemy aircraft. And it did that extremely well....
 

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