Which is the best Spitfire mark?

[fubar57]

Resp:
Thanks much fubar. Do you have a good source so I can read @ the development of the Spitefre?

Ret:

I have 82 books about the Spitfire. The books by Alfred Price would be the best start

 

[Ryanjames17]

Spitfire MKIII would be the best

 

[wuzak]

There were few single stage Griffon engines made (approx. 100), only 2 squadrons used them.

I think you meant to say "single stage Griffon Spitfire variants". There were only 100 XIIs made, but the Griffon also went into the Seafire XV (navalised XII) late in the war/post war and the Fairey Firefly from 1943. Post war the single stage Griffon saw service in the Shackleton.

 

[wuzak]

Spitfire MKIII would be the best

Th eone that didn't go into production, or the PR version of the Mk I which was redesignated PR.III?

 

[Ryanjames17]

Th eone that didn't go into production, or the PR version of the Mk I which was redesignated PR.III?

The one that had near Mk IX performance that they never put into production as they dumped the merlin XX into the hurricane.

I'm sure they regreted that when FW190s showed up

 

[fubar57]

.....but there were two(ish) Mk.IIIs and the Merlin XX did go into Spitfires...

"...A second aircraft, Spitfire Mk.V W3237, was configured to an almost identical standard (minus the retractable tailwheel) to continue Mk.III testing while N3297 was fitted with a standard "A" wing and delivered to Rolls-Royce for engine testing eventually being fitted with the first Merlin 61 engine that would be used in the Spitfire Mk.VIII and IX. Even with a second prototype the Spitfire Mk.III project was now cancelled altogether but W3237 continued testing until 1944 to support development work on newer model Spitfires.
While the Spitfire Mk.III was a non-starter the fruits of the testing carried out by the two prototypes can be seen in many of the improvements made to the later Spitfire marks such as cropped wings and doors over the landing gear. The Merlin XX did find its way in to around 50 Spitfire II aircraft converted for use in the air-sea rescue role..."

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.III

 

[Navalwarrior]

I love the mk IX myself. The best looking Spitfire in my opinion.

Resp:
I too favor the Mk IX, with the Mk V a close second. A few notes on early RAF Mk IX missions for USAAF:
- MON, Jul 27, 1942: Spitfire Mk IXs assigned to fly escort for 8th AF B-17s (RAF wanted to test high altitude capabilities against the FW-190).
- MON, Aug 17, 1942, Spitfires (1st mission) escort B-17s to Rouen/Sotterville marshaling yards, France
- FRI! August 21, 1942, 12 B-17s to bomb shipyards at Rotterdam. Mission aborted due to lack of coordination with RAF Spitfire escorts.
- SUN, Sept 6, 1942, 37 Spitfires fly bomber escort to attack Abbeville/Drucat Airfield w no losses.

 

[pbehn]

Resp:
- MON, Jul 27, 1942: Spitfire Mk IXs assigned to fly escort for 8th AF B-17s (RAF wanted to test high altitude capabilities against the FW-190).
.

Where do those bracketed comments come from? My bracketed comments would be (The RAF, charged with responsibility for escort of USAF bomber forces assigned as many of their best fighters that they had available). I am sick of reading your BULLSHIT comments always with a dig against the Spitfires range which is a childish hobby horse of yours, when you progress that on to the character and aims of men who quite willingly laid down their lives in an allied effort I call you a complete, utter, absolute CUNT. The RAF didn't have an idle curiosity into the relative performance of the Mk IX versus the Fw 190 they had the serious responsibility of protecting the lives of their allies. You never answered to my questions about your complete BULLSHIT vis a vis "Chuck Arnold" With all lack of respect, you are a complete dick head. And with that, I take leave of this forum, it has been nice knowing you regular posters, but all good things come to an end.

 

[wuzak]

For me it is the XII, XIV and VIII.

 

[michael rauls]

Well one things for sure. There's no such thing as a bad Spitfire. Probably the best looking plane of the war, Imho, and performance was pretty darn good to.

 

[Navalwarrior]

Where do those bracketed comments come from? My bracketed comments would be (The RAF, charged with responsibility for escort of USAF bomber forces assigned as many of their best fighters that they had available). I am sick of reading your BULLSHIT comments always with a dig against the Spitfires range which is a childish hobby horse of yours, when you progress that on to the character and aims of men who quite willingly laid down their lives in an allied effort I call you a complete, utter, absolute CUNT. The RAF didn't have an idle curiosity into the relative performance of the Mk IX versus the Fw 190 they had the serious responsibility of protecting the lives of their allies. You never answered to my questions about your complete BULLSHIT vis a vis "Chuck Arnold" With all lack of respect, you are a complete dick head. And with that, I take leave of this forum, it has been nice knowing you regular posters, but all good things come to an end.

Resp:
pbehn, I read what you wrote to my wife last night. Her reply, "No Baby, you have always been a 'stick and rudder man to me!"

 

[michael rauls]

Where do those bracketed comments come from? My bracketed comments would be (The RAF, charged with responsibility for escort of USAF bomber forces assigned as many of their best fighters that they had available). I am sick of reading your BULLSHIT comments always with a dig against the Spitfires range which is a childish hobby horse of yours, when you progress that on to the character and aims of men who quite willingly laid down their lives in an allied effort I call you a complete, utter, absolute CUNT. The RAF didn't have an idle curiosity into the relative performance of the Mk IX versus the Fw 190 they had the serious responsibility of protecting the lives of their allies. You never answered to my questions about your complete BULLSHIT vis a vis "Chuck Arnold" With all lack of respect, you are a complete dick head. And with that, I take leave of this forum, it has been nice knowing you regular posters, but all good things come to an end.

For whatever its worth I didn't get that from his comments at all. Didn't see anything about range in there.
Just hate to see conflict over nothing I can discern anyway. And don't want to see you leave over it either but thats up to you.
Just my 2 cents.