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2014.10.17

-
 

Notes

 

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SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE & SEAFIRE

The story which didn't happen ... outside Atlantic Air Combat
 
See also : Pilot's Notes Land Aircrafts Carrier Aircrafts Seaplane Aircrafts
 S361.Spitfire IX  S361.Spitfire IX
 S365.Spitfire XI.PR
 S509.Spitfire.TR9
 S356.Spitfire.F24		  S358.Seafire III
 -
 S508.Seafire III.TR3
 S474.Seafire.F47		  S359.Spitfire Seaplane

With WWII era aircrafts to be incorporated in the game, the legendary Spitfire is unavoidable.  With more than twenty thousands airframes produced, the number of variants and sub-variants is high.   So, before selecting which type(s) to take into account, either as an historical or a cheat item, these notes are reviewing the aircraft in general.

Spitfire Variants
Variants were thus numerous, including the Seafire, Seafang and Spiteful.   Essentially, they differ with engine installation and wings type, although there are naturally many other aspects.  Besides the naval variants, some had a pressurized cockpit (P) while others were dedicated photo-reconnaissance aircrafts (R).  Some variants were dedicated low flying (LF) aircrafts while others on the contrary were aiming at higher altitudes (HF).  Finally, a tear drop canopy (TD)  was adopted late on the production line.  Production numbers varied considerably and not all types were used outside UK.  The table further below attempts to make a useful summary of those differences without, even for a minute, trying to be exhaustive.   Data collected from : 
Website : Supermarine Spitfire Variants – The Initial Merlin-Powered Line
 Website : Spitfire Mk. IX, XI and XVI – Variants Much Varied
Website : http://www.456fis.org/SPITFIIRE_VARIANTS.htm

Dimensions
Not all Spitfires have the same dimensions, either in length or wing span.  For example, some had their famous elliptical wingtips squared off, reducing span to 32'02" while other had a pointed wingtips intalled, the former to enhance roll rate and aimed at lower altitudes, the latter to allow higher altitudes to be reached (see Wings further below).  

In the below table are just a few examples to illustrate dimensions, as wing/fuselage match was variable.   Thus the cropped wings V is just shown as an example, while the VI and VII were dedicated high altitude fighers (but some deliverd with standard wings).
-

Spitfire

 - - Length - Wing span - Notes ¦ - Seafire - Length - Wing span Notes
S300 Spitfire I -

29'11"

 9.12m 36'10" 11.23m - - ¦ - - - - - - - -
S329 Spitfire II -

29'11"

 9.12m 36'10" 11.23m - - ¦ - - - - - - - -
- Spitfire III - - - - - - - ¦ - - - - - - - -
- Spitfire IV PR - - - - - - ¦ - - - - - - - -
S349 Spitfire Va -

29'11"

 9.12m 32'06" 9.90m LF clipped ¦ - - - - - - - -
S349 Spitfire Vb -

29'11"

 9.12m 36'10" 11.23m - - ¦ S340 Seafire Ib

29'11"

 9.12m 36'10" 11.23m -
S355 Spitfire Vb SP

29'11"

 9.12m 36'10" 11.23m - - ¦ - - - - - - - -
S359 Spitfire Vc -

29'11"

 9.12m 36'10" 11.23m - - ¦ S357 Seafire IIc

29'11"

 9.12m 36'10" 11.23m -
S350 Spitfire VI -

29'11"

 9.12m 40'02" 12.24m HF extended ¦ S358 Seafire III

29'11"

 9.12m 32'02" 9.80m Folding
S351 Spitfire VII - - - - - HF extended ¦ - - - - - - - -
S360 Spitfire VIII PR - - - - HF - ¦ - - - - - - - -
S361 Spitfire IX - 31'01" 9.47m 32'06" 9.90m LF clipped ¦ - - - - - - - -
S359 Spitfire IX SP 31'01" 9.47m 32'06" 9.90m LF clipped ¦ - - - - - - - -
S509 Spitfire TR9 TR 31'01" 9.47m 32'06" 9.90m LF clipped ¦ S508 Seafire TR3

29'11"

 9.12m 32'02" 9.80m Folding
S362 Spitfire X PR - - - - - - ¦ - - - - - - - -
S365 Spitfire XI PR - - - - - - ¦ - - - - - - - -
S366 Spitfire XII - 31'07" 9.62m 32'06" 9.90m LF clipped ¦ - - - - - - - -
S367 Spitfire XIII PR - - - - - - ¦ - - - - - - - -
S379 Spitfire XIVe - 32'08" 9.95m 36'10" 11.23m - - ¦ S377 Seafire XV 32'03" 9.83m 36'10" 11.23m -
S361 Spitfire XVI - - - - - - - ¦ S384 Seafire XVII 32'03" 9.83m 36'10" 11.23m -
S394 Spitfire XVIII - - - - - - - ¦ - - - - - - - -
S390 Spitfire XIX PR - - - - HF extended ¦ - - - - - - - -
S356 Spitfire F21 - 32'11" 10.03m 36'11" 11.25m - - ¦ S474 Seafire F45 34'04" 10.46m 36'11" 11.25m -
S356 Spitfire F22 - 32'11" 10.03m 36'11" 11.25m - - ¦ S474 Seafire F46 34'04" 10.46m 36'11" 11.25m -
S356 Spitfire F24 - 32'11" 10.03m 36'11" 11.25m - - ¦ S474 Seafire F47 34'04" 10.46m 36'11" 11.25m Folding
¦
S371 Spiteful F14 - ??? ??? ??? ??? - - ¦ S381 Seafang F31 - - - - -
S371 Spiteful F16 - ??? ??? ??? ??? - - ¦ S382 Seafang F32 - - - - Folding

Wing Types - Ref: http://spitfiresite.com/2010/04/concise-guide-to-spitfire-wing-types.html 
Before adressing the airframe/engine variants, it would be worth summarizing the wing types with wich the Spitfire was equipped.   In a delibarate simplistic manner, wings varied in shape and structure in order to cater for inboard weapons (either .30cal or .50cal machine guns or 20mm cannons or a mix thereof) and for aerodynamic reasons: 
 basic wing, with either clipped or extended wingtips, catering for different weapons arrangements
 revised "new" wings for late production Spitfires (and Spiteful/Seafang sequels)
 folding variants of the above equipping some of the naval Seafire variants

Some of these wing could accept underwing stores.  The under fuselage load carrying capacity is mentioned as an additional information.   However simplified, it is hoped the below summary isn't too much a betrayal : 
Fuel           Fuel ¦ Fuel          
Guns Outer Outer   Inner Inner   ¦   Inner Outer   Outer Outer
Pylon     Pylon       Pylon       Pylon    
A .303
300rpg		 .303
300rpg		 - .303
300rpg		 .303
300rpg		 -  
 		 - .303
300rpg		 .303
300rpg		 - .303
300rpg		 .303
300rpg
B .303
350rpg		 .303
350rpg		 - 20mm/Hispano Mk2
60rpg		 -  
 		 - 20mm/Hispano Mk2
60rpg		 - .303
350rpg		 .303
350rpg
C 20mm/Hispano Mk2
120rpg		 1x
250lb		 20mm/Hispano Mk2
120rpg		 - 500lb - 20mm/Hispano Mk2
120rpg		 1x
250lb		 20mm/Hispano Mk2
120rpg
270L
E - 1x
250lb		 .50/M2
250rpg		 20mm/Mk2
120rpg		 - 500lb - 20mm/Mk2
120rpg		 .50/M2
250rpg		 1x
250lb		 -
270L
T .303
350rpg		 .303
350rpg		 1x
250lb		 - - - 500lb - - - 1x
250lb		 .303
350rpg		 .303
350rpg
270L
N 8xRP3 1x
500lb		 20mm/Mk5
150rpg		 20mm/Mk5
175rpg		 - 500lb - 20mm/Mk5
175rpg		 20mm/Mk5
150rpg		 1x
500lb		 8xRP3
409L
D - - - - - -  
 		 - - - - - -
SB .303
350rpg		 .303
350rpg		 - 20mm/Hispano Mk2
60rpg		 -  
 		 - 20mm/Hispano Mk2
60rpg		 - .303
350rpg		 .303
350rpg
SC 20mm/Hispano Mk2
120rpg		 1x
250lb		 20mm/Hispano Mk2
120rpg		 - 500lb - 20mm/Hispano Mk2
120rpg		 1x
250lb		 20mm
120rpg
270L
SN 8xRP3 1x
1000lb		 20mm/Mk5
150rpg		 20mm/Mk5
175rpg		 - 500lb - 20mm/Mk5
175rpg		 20mm/Mk5
150rpg		 1x
1000lb		 8xRP3
409L

Internal Fuel Capacity
The main stowage was in two tanks of 48 (upper) and 37 (lower) imperial gallons tanks, for a basic total of 85 imp gal or 386 litres.

Spitfire I,II V,VI VII VIII   IX Late IX PR XI XII XIV   XVI Late XVI   XVIII PR XIX
Main.Uppper 48   47 - 47   47   48 - 48 - 47   47   47   48 -
Main.Lower 37 85 49 96 49 96 49 96 37 85 37 85 49 96 49 96 49 96 37 85
Back.Upper -   - - 41 - 33   -   33   41   33   33   - -
Back.Lower -   - - 34 75 34 67 - - > 33 34 75 34 67 - 33 - -
Wings.1 (x2) -   13.5 27 - - 13.5 27 66.5 133 13.5 27 13.5 27 13.5 27 13.5 27 66.5 133
Total   85   123   171   190   218   145   198   190   156   218
>
- F21 - F22 - F24 Seafire - III   TR3   XV   XVII   F45   F46   F47
48   48 - 48   Main.Upper 48 - 48   48 - 48   48 - 48   (1) -
36 84 36 84 36 84 Main.Lower 37 85 37 85 37 85 37 85 36 84 36 84 (2) 84
33   33 - 33   Back.Upper - -  -   33 - 33   - - 32   (3) -
> 33 33 66 33 66 Back.Lower - - -   > 33 34 67 - - > 32   32
- - - - - - Wings.1 (x2) - - -   - - -   5.5 11 5.5 11 (4/5) 11
20 40 20 40 20 40 Wings.2 (x2) - - -   - - -   12.5 25 12.5 25 (6/7) 25
  157   190   190 Total   85   85   118   152   120   152   152

Specifications of the various Spitifire iterations
Seaplane Versions
Not one of the "main" types naturally, but because authors of this tentative game fancy about this "genre", this particular version is also referred to.

Engines
In this simplified summary, "M" stands for Merlin, "G" for Griffon, and "P" for Packard.   Reference to sub-types (low or high altitude specialized variants) is deliberately discarded.
Type St Prod Eng Hp Hp Wing
Type		 Guns Speed
Ceiling		 Climb
ft/min		 Range
Extra		 Weight
Empty
Max		 Fuel
Main
Wings		 Belly
Load
Fuel		 Wings
Load
Fuel
Spitfire.Ia F 1607 M02 1030hp /
3.27m		 A 8x.30cal 571kmh
34000ft		 2419 635km
635km		 4306lbs
5935lbs		 85
0		 - -
Spitfire.IIa F 750 M12 1175hp /
3.27m		 A 8x.30cal 571kmh
34000ft		 2419 635km
635km		 4541lbs
6172lbs		 85
0		 - -
Spitfire.IIb F 170 M12 1175hp /
3.27m		 B 2x20mm
4x.30cal		 571kmh
34000ft		 2419 635km
635km		 4541lbs
6172lbs		 85
0		 - -
Spitfire.III F 2 M45 1470hp / A = =kmh
=ft		 = =km
=km		 =
=		 85
0		 - -
Spitfire.IV PR 229 M45 1470hp / A = 756kmh
=ft		 = =km
=km		 =
=		 85
0		 - -
Spitfire.Va F 94 M45 1470hp /
3.28m		 A 8x.30cal 603kmh
37000ft		 2666 760km
1826km		 4963lbs
6525lbs		 T=102 1x500lb
50gal		 -
Spitfire.Vb F 3911 M45 1470hp /
3.28m		 B 2x20mm
4x.30cal		 603kmh
37000ft		 4270 760km
1826km		 4963lbs
6525lbs		 T=102 1x500lb
50gal		 -
Spitfire.Vb SP (3) M46 1585hp /
3.43m		 B 2x20mm
4x.30cal		 521kmh
33400ft		 2450 540km
km		 6014lbs
-		 T=102 1x500lb
50gal		 -
Spitfire.Vc F 2647 M45 1470hp /
3.28m		 C 4x20mm 603kmh
37000ft		 4270 760km
1826km		 4963lbs
6525lbs		 T=102 1x500lb
50gal		 2x250lb
---
Spitfire.VI F 100 M47 1415hp /
3.27m		 B/HF 2x20mm
4x.30cal		 603kmh
37000ft		 4270 760km
1826km		 4963lbs
6525lbs		 T=102 1x500lb
50gal		 -
Spitfire.VII F 140 M71 1710hp /
m		 C 4x20mm 657kmh
45100ft		 2817 km
1898km		 5350lb
7875lb		 96
2x13		 1x500lb
50gal		 -
Spitfire.VIII F 1658 M63 1710hp /
m		 C 4x20mm 657kmh
43000ft		 4500 km
1898km		 6679lbs
7800lbs		 96
2x13		 1x500lb
50gal		 2x250lb
Spitfire.IX(T) F 5665 M63 1710hp /
m		 E 2x20mm
2x.50cal		 657kmh
44000ft		 3950 km
1577km		 5635lbs
9300lbs		 96+60
2x13		 1x500lb
50gal		 2x250lb
Spitfire.IX SP (1) M66 1720hp /
m		 B 2x20mm
4x.30cal		 606kmh
36000ft		 3800 740km
1239km		 6500lbs
8610lbs		 96
2x13		 1x500lb
50gal		 2x250lb
Spitfire.TR9 T + M63 1710hp /
m		 E 4x.30cal 657kmh
44000ft		 2985 km
1577km		 5635lbs
9300lbs		 96
2x13		 1x500lb
50gal		 2x250lb
Spitfire.X PR 16 M77 1475hp /
m		 - NA 669kmh
44000ft		 4000 km
2188km		 - - 1x500lb
50gal		 2x250lb
Spitfire.XI PR 471 M70 1465hp /
m		 D NA 679kmh
44000ft		 4000 km
3218km		 -   96   
2x66.5		 - -
Spitfire.XII F 100 G03 1735hp /
3.10m		 B 2x20mm
4x.30cal		 632kmh
40000ft		 3760 793km
1272km		 5564lbs
7415lbs		 85
 1x500lb
50gal		 2x250lb
Spitfire.XIII PR 26 - - /
m		 B 4x.30cal - - - - 123
2x66.5		 - -
Spitfire.XIV F 957 G65 2035hp /
3.18m		 E 2x20mm
2x.50cal		 721kmh
43000ft		 4580 740km
1375km		 6578lbs
8488lbs		 85+32
2x13		 1x500lb
50gal		 2x250lb
Spitfire.XIVc F 1054 P266 1580hp /
3.18m		 E 2x20mm
2x.50cal		 kmh
---		 - km
km		 6700lbs
10280lbs		 85+32
2x13		 1x500lb
50gal		 2x250lb
Spitfire.XVI F 1054 P266 1580hp /
3.18m		 E 2x20mm
2x.50cal		 - - - 6000lbs
10000lbs		 - - -
Spitfire.XVIII F 300 G61 2035hp /
3.18m		 E 2x20mm
2x.50cal		 711kmh
41000ft		 2857 km
1367km		 --lbs
11000lbs		 - 1x500lb
50gal		 2x250lb
Spitfire.XIX PR 225 G65 2035hp /
3.18m		 D NA 718kmh
42000ft		 2258 km
2494km		 ---
10450lbs		 123
2x66.5		 - -
Spitfire.F21 F 122 G61 2035hp /
3.35m		 N 4x20mm
Mk5		 730kmh
43000ft		 4000 km
1553km		 6923lbs
9305lbs		 T=120 1x500lb
50gal		 2x250lb
Spitfire.F22 F 278 G61 2035hp /
m		 N 4x20mm
Mk5		 724kmh
43000ft		 4000 km
1553km		 6923lbs
9186lbs		 T=120 1x500lb
50gal		 2x250lb
Spitfire.F24 F 54 G61 2035hp /
m		 N
12xRP3		 4x20mm
Mk5		 724kmh
43000ft		 4000 km
1553km		 6923lbs
9900lbs		 T=120 1x500lb
50gal		 2x250lb
                               
Seafire.I F 166 M45 1470hp /
m		 B 2x20mm
4x.30cal		 587kmh
36400ft		 2632 km
1239km		 - - - -
Seafire.II F 372 M45 1470hp /
m		 C 2x20mm
4x.30cal		 kmh
37000ft		 2380 698km
1207km		 5300lbs
7145lbs		 - 1x500lb
50gal		 2x250lb
Seafire.III F 1272 M55 1470hp /
3.28m		 C-W 2x20mm
4x.30cal		 566kmh
35600ft		 3460 821km
1239km		 5450lbs
7220lbs		 - 1x500lb
50gal		 2x250lb
Seafire.XV F 390 G06 1850hp /
3.18m		 B 2x20mm
4x.30cal		 kmh
37000ft		 4600 605km
1453km		 6300lbs
7995lbs		 85 1x500lb
50gal		 2x250lb
Seafire.XVII F 232 G06 1850hp /
m		 C
8xRP3		 2x20mm
4x.30cal		 kmh
37000ft		 4600 605km
1453k m		 6300lbs
7995lbs		 - 1x500lb
50gal		 2x250lb
Seafire.F45 F 50 G87 2145hp /
m		 N 4x20mm
Mk5		 726kmh
43000ft		 4166 652km
2373km		 8600lbs
12530lbs		 85
2x18		 1x500lb
50gal		 2x500lb
Seafire.F46 F 24 G87 2145hp /
m		 N 4x20mm
Mk5		 726kmh
43000ft		 4166 652km
2373k m		 8600lbs
12530lbs		 85+31
2x18		 1x500lb
50gal		 2x500lb
22gal
Seafire.F47 F 140 G88 2350hp /
m		 N-W 4x20mm
Mk5		 726kmh
43000ft		 4166 652km
2373k m		 8600lbs
12530lbs		 85+31
2x18		 1x500lb
50gal		 2x500lb
22gal
              Outer
Inner		 114rpg ?
134rpg ?		              
                               
Seafang.31 F 18 G88 2350hp /
m		 N-W N-W 765kmh
41000ft		 4630 633km
2___k m		 8000lbs
10450lbs		 - - 2x1000lb
Spiteful.14 F 19 G85 2385hp /
m		 N N 778kmh
42000ft		 4890 908km
2___k m		 7350lbs
9950lbs		 - - 2x1000lb
2x60ga

Foreign Users
Besides the RAF and FAA, Spitfires and Seafires were used by various countries after the war (see Historical Assets for numbers and dates).   Here again, a brief summary. 

Type

St

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.Ia

 F

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.IIb

 F

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.III

 PR

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.Va

 F

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.Vb

 SP

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.VI

 F

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.VII

 F

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.VIII

 F

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.IX

 F

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.IX

 SP

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.X

 PR

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.XI

 PR

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.XII

 F

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.XIII

 PR

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.XIV

 F

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.XIV

 PR

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.XVI

 F

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.XVIII

 F

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.XIX

 PR

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.F21

 F

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.F22

 F

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.F24

 F

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spitfire.TR9

 TR

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spiteful.14

 F

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Seafire.I

 F

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Seafire.II

 F

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

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Seafire.III

 F

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Seafire.XV

 F

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Seafire.XVII

 F

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Seafire.F45

 F

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Seafire.F46

 F

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Seafire.F47

 F

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Seafang.31

 F

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Spitfire Variants in Atlantic Air Combat
Several Spitfire/Seafire variants will be made available in the game.   Operators will be chosen among those mentioned above together with a couple of "cheat".  These variants however will "standardized" as outlined below.
Propelled by the AAC V-1720 Marlin engine
Spitfire IXb classical format illustrating the various exports (V, VIII, IX, XIX)
Spitfire XI PR covering all versions of the photo reconnaissance variant of the Spitfire
Spitfire TR9 illustrating that particular training variant (with the Irish Air Corp in mind)
Spitfire Vb Seaplane format to satisfy a personal fantasy of the game's authors
Seafire III

illustrating the specific type used by Ireland (the presence of the Spitfire in the game is actually generated by the late Irish use of the Seafire)
Seafire III TR9 a cheat variant to make this trainer a carrier capable aircraft
Propelled by the AAC V-2450 Griffin engine
Spitfire F24

to illustrate the similarly looking late IX variants issued to South Africa (with buble canopy), and covering for the XIV and XVI issued to (eg) France and Belgium, and the F22 exported to Rhodesia
Seafire F47 a carrier borne Spitfire F24 intended as a cheat for the South African Navy

Specifications

The typical elliptical wing will be used for both the Spitfire IX and Seafire III (essentially the same aircraft from a game building point of view) while the F24/F47 will use the "new" wing

Internal fuel will be maximized using all fuel cells options as outlined above (same for all aircrafts)
Fuel Cells Front/Upper Front/Lower Back/Upper Back/Lower Wings.Edge Total
Measures

Imp.Gal

Litres

Imp.Gal

Litres

Imp.Gal

Litres

Imp.Gal

Litres

Imp.Gal

Litres

Imp.Gal

Litres
Volume

47gal

213L

49gal

222L

41gal

186L

34gal

154L

13½gal

61L

198gal

899L
Mass: 7.6lb/gal

0.76kg/L

                

1505lb

683kg

As it will be the case in AAC actual range will be based on engine sfc and fuel quantity available

Performances

Spitfire IX Standard
Engine Merlin 66/1720hp
Propeller
SFC 0.32 lb/hp/hr
Weight:empty 5635.lbs
Weight:fuel 1505.lbs
Weight: 7.62mm (115grx4x350)    355.lbs
Weight:    20mm (260grx2x120)    137.lbs
Weight:pylons1 (1 x 500lbs)    500.lbs
Weight:pylons2 (2 x 250lbs)    500.lbs
Weight:pylons3 0.lbs
Weight:HVAR 12 x RP3)    978.lbs
Weight:Max 9610.lbs
Fuel0:internal

    198gal

899.L
Fuel1:+Belly 1x  50gal

227.L
Fuel2:+Wings 2x  30gal

272.L
Fuel  :Max

 308gal

1398.L
Range:int   760km (indicative)
Range:ext.1   952km (indicative)
Range:ext.2   990km (indicative)
Range:ext.1+2 1182km (indicative)
Speed 660kmh (356 kn)
Ceiling 41000 ft
Climb 4270 ft/min
Guns 1 2x20mm (120rpg)
Guns 2 4x7.62mm (350rpg)
Pylon:fuselage 1x500lbs / 50gal
Pylon:wings 2x250lbs / 30gal
HVAR yes (2x2x3)
Seafire III Carrier capable
Engine Merlin 66/1720hp
Propeller
SFC 0.32 lb/hp/hr
Weight:empty 5635.lbs
Weight:fuel 1505.lbs
Weight: 7.62mm (115grx4x350)    355.lbs
Weight:    20mm (260grx2x120)    137.lbs
Weight:pylons1 (1 x 500lbs)    500.lbs
Weight:pylons2 (2 x 250lbs)    500.lbs
Weight:pylons3 0.lbs
Weight:HVAR 12 x RP3)    978.lbs
Weight:Max 9610.lbs
Fuel0:internal

    198gal

899.L
Fuel1:+Belly 1x  50gal

227.L
Fuel2:+Wings 2x  30gal

272.L
Fuel  :Max

 308gal

1398.L
Range:int   760km (indicative)
Range:ext.1   952km (indicative)
Range:ext.2   990km (indicative)
Range:ext.1+2 1182km (indicative)
Speed 660kmh (356 kn)
Ceiling 41000 ft
Climb 4270 ft/min
Guns 1 2x20mm (120rpg)
Guns 2 4x7.62mm (350rpg)
Pylon:fuselage 1x500lbs / 50gal
Pylon:wings 2x250lbs / 30gal
HVAR yes (2x2x3)
Spitfire V Seaplane
Engine Merlin 66/1720hp
Propeller
SFC 0.32 lb/hp/hr
Weight:empty 6500.lbs
Weight:fuel 1505.lbs
Weight: 7.62mm (115grx4x350)    355.lbs
Weight:    20mm (260grx2x120)    137.lbs
Weight:pylons1 (1 x 500lbs)    500.lbs
Weight:pylons2 (2 x 250lbs)    500.lbs
Weight:pylons3 0.lbs
Weight:HVAR 12 x RP3)    978.lbs
Weight:Max 10475.lbs
Fuel0:internal

    198gal

899.L
Fuel1:+Belly 1x  50gal

227.L
Fuel2:+Wings 2x  30gal

272.L
Fuel  :Max

 308gal

1398.L
Range:int.   760km (indicative)
Range:ext.1   952km (indicative)
Range:ext.2   990km (indicative)
Range:ext.2 1182km (indicative)
Speed 606kmh (327 kn)
Ceiling 36000ft
Climb 3800 ft/min
Guns 1 2x20mm (120rpg)
Guns 2 4x7.62mm (350rpg)
Pylon:fuselage 1x500lbs / 50gal
Pylon:wings 2x250lbs / 30gal
HVAR yes (2x2x3)

Performances  (cntd.)

Spitfire XI PR -
Engine Merlin 66/1720hp
Propeller
SFC 0.32 lb/hp/hr
Weight:empty 5635.lbs
Weight:fuel 1505.lbs
Weight: 7.62mm 0.lbs
Weight:    20mm 0.lbs
Weight:pylons1 (1 x 500lbs)    500.lbs
Weight:pylons2 (2 x 250lbs)    500.lbs
Weight:pylons3 0.lbs
Weight:HVAR 0.lbs
Weight:Max 8140.lbs
Fuel0:internal

    198gal

899.L
Fuel1:+Belly 1x  50gal

227.L
Fuel2:+Wings 2x  30gal

272.L
Fuel  :Max

 308gal

1398.L
Range:int   760km (indicative)
Range:ext.1   952km (indicative)
Range:ext.2   990km (indicative)
Range:ext.1+2 1182km (indicative)
Speed 660kmh (356 kn)
Ceiling 41000 ft
Climb 4270 ft/min
Guns 1 No
Guns 2 No
Pylon:fuselage 1x500lbs / 50gal
Pylon:wings 2x250lbs / 30gal
HVAR No
Spitfire TR9 -
Engine Merlin 66/1720hp
Propeller
SFC 0.32 lb/hp/hr
Weight:empty 5635.lbs
Weight:fuel 1505.lbs
Weight: 7.62mm (115grx4x350)    355.lbs
Weight:    20mm 0.lbs
Weight:pylons1 (1 x 500lbs)    500.lbs
Weight:pylons2 (2 x 250lbs)    500.lbs
Weight:pylons3 0.lbs
Weight:HVAR 12 x RP3)    978.lbs
Weight:Max 9473.lbs
Fuel0:internal

    198gal

899.L
Fuel1:+Belly 1x  50gal

227.L
Fuel2:+Wings 2x  30gal

272.L
Fuel  :Max

 308gal

1398.L
Range:int   760km (indicative)
Range:ext.1   952km (indicative)
Range:ext.2   990km (indicative)
Range:ext.1+2 1182km (indicative)
Speed 660kmh (356 kn)
Ceiling 41000 ft
Climb 4270 ft/min
Guns 1 No
Guns 2 4x7.62mm (350rpg)
Pylon:fuselage 1x500lbs / 50gal
Pylon:wings 2x250lbs / 30gal
HVAR yes (2x2x3)
Spitfire F24 and  Seafire F47
Engine Griffon 58/2450hp
Propeller
SFC 0.42 lb/hp/hr
Weight:empty 7760.lbs
Weight:fuel 1505.lbs
Weight: 7.62mm 0.lbs
Weight:    20mm (260grx4x150)    344.lbs
Weight:pylons1 (1 x 500lbs)    500.lbs
Weight:pylons2 (2 x 250lbs)    500.lbs
Weight:pylons3 (2 x 136L)    261.lbs
Weight:HVAR 12 x RP3)    978.lbs
Weight:Max 11848.lbs
Fuel0:internal

    198gal

899.L
Fuel1:+Belly 1x  50gal

227.L
Fuel2:+Wings 2x  30gal

272.L
Fuel  :Max

 308gal

1398.L
Range:int   760km (indicative)
Range:ext.1   952km (indicative)
Range:ext.2   990km (indicative)
Range:ext.1+2 1182km (indicative)
Speed 726kmh (392 kn)
Ceiling 43000 ft
Climb 4800 ft/min
Guns 1 4x20mm (150rpg)
Guns 2 NA
Pylon:fuselage 1x500lbs / 50gal
Pylon:wings 2x250lbs / 30gal
HVAR yes (2x2x3)
 

___________
 
Specifications and Producton (Other source)
>
Mark Role Engine HP Weight
lbs		 Speed
mph		 Numbers
I Fighter Merlin II, III 1,030 6,200 362 1,583
II Fighter Merlin XII 1,175 6,275 370 920
III Fighter Merlin XX 1,390 7,110 360 2
IV Photo-recce Merlin 45 1,470 6,850 365 229
V Fighter Merlin 45 1,470 6,750 369 6,487
VI HA fighter Merlin 47 1,415 6,797 364 100
VII HA fighter Merlin 61 1,565 7,875 408 140
VIII Fighter Merlin 63, 66 1,650 7,767 408 1,658
IX Fighter Merlin 61 1,565 7,500 408 5,665
X Photo-recce Merlin 64 1,710 7,900 422 16
XI Photo-recce Merlin 61 1,565 7,900 422 471
XII Fighter Griffon III 1,735 7,280 393 100
XIII Photo-recce Merlin 32 1,645 6,750 348 18
XIV Fighter/FR Griffon 65, 67 2,035 8,375 439 957
XV SEAFIRE
XVI Fighter Merlin 266 1,580 7,500 408 1,054
XVII SEAFIRE
XVIII Fighter/FR Griffon 65, 67 2,035 9,300 439 300
XIX Photo-recce Griffon 66 2,035 9,202 446 225
XX Experimental Griffon IIb 1,735 1
F Mk 21 Fighter Griffon 61, 64 2,035 9,900 450 122
F Mk 22 Fighter Griffon 61, 64 2,035 9,900 451 278
F Mk 23 Project Griffon 61 2,035 1
F Mk 24 Fighter Griffon 61 2,035 9,900 451 54
>

 

 

++++++

Supermarine Spitfire / Seafire




Spitfire XVI


When the Type 224 performance proved disappointing, R. J. Mitchell was given a free hand to design a new single-seat fighter unfettered by official specifications. Mitchell outlined the Type 300 tailored around the new Rolls-Royce P.V.12 (Merlin) engine. With drag-reducing retractable landing gear, the wings were of distinctive elliptical shape, but they housed eight machine-guns, all of them firing outside the propeller disc. Air Ministry Specification F.36/34 was drawn up around the Type 300 and a prototype was ordered. It was powered by a 738kW Rolls-Royce Merlin C and flew for the first time on 5 March 1936. Comparatively little flight testing was needed to confirm its superb handling qualities and performance resulted in a first contract (for 310 Spitfire Mk I aircraft) being awarded on 3 June 1936. The crowds at the 1936 RAF Display at Hendon had a first glimpse of the prototype Spitfire in the New Types Park.




Spitfire Prototype K5054


Structurally the Spitfire was a straightforward design with a light alloy monocoque fuselage and a single spar wing with stressed-skin covering and fabric-covered control surfaces. To preserve the clean nose-cowling lines originally conceived by Mitchell, the radiator was located beneath the starboard wing with the smaller oil cooler causing some asymmetry beneath the port wing, and the carburetor air intake under the center fuselage. A DeHavilland two-blade wooden fixed-pitch propeller was employed by the prototype and the first Spitfire I's had the Airscrew Company's wooden fixed-pitch two-blade. Later a DeHavilland three-blade, two position propeller was adopted after trials on the first prototype. The new propeller gave a 5 mph increase in speed. In 1940 DeHavilland three-blade constant-speed propeller were substituted. Production Spitfires had a fixed tail wheel and triple ejector exhaust manifolds. The X80 HP Rolls-Royce Merlin II and later the Merlin III engine was installed.

Deliveries of production Spitfire I's began in June 1938, two years after the first production contract had been placed. In those two years Supermarine laid out their Woolston factory for large-scale production and organized one of the largest subcontract schemes ever envisaged in Britain. Until that time, as it was becoming increasingly obvious that there was no limit to the likely demand for the Spitfire. It was also obvious that one factory alone was not going to be able to meet the demand even with sub-contracting. Large scale plans were laid during 1937 for the construction by the Nuffield Group of a large new shadow factory at Castle Bromwich near Birmingham for Spitfire production. On April 12,1938 a contract was placed for 1,000 Spitfires to be built at this new factory, of which the actual construction had not then even begun. In the following year, on April 29 further contracts were placed with Supermarine for 200 Spitfires and on August 9 for 450. When Britain went to war on September 3,1939 a total of 2,160 Spitfires were already on order.

It was not until July 1938 that the first Spitfire Mk I reached No. 19 Squadron at Duxford. Only five had been delivered by the time of the Munich crisis in September of that year.

The Spitfire I weighed 5,280 lb. had a wing loading of 24 lb/s. ft. and a fuel capacity of 85 Imperial gallons. Its maximum speed was 362 mph its maximum diving speed was 450 mph its initial climb rate was 2,500 ft./min. and it took 9.4 minutes to climb to 20,000 feet. Its combat range was 395 miles and its roll rate was 140 deg./sec. Standard armament in what was subsequently to become known as the A wing was eight 0.303-in. Browning machine-guns with 300 rounds of ammunition. The speed of the Spitfire I was marginally higher than that of its principal opponent the Luftwaffes Messerschmitt Bf 109E and it was infinitely more maneuverable than the German fighter although the Bf 109E could out climb and out dive the British fighter and its shell-firing cannon had a longer range than the Spitfire's machine-guns.

By the outbreak of war on 3 September 1939, the RAF had received 306 aircraft, 187 were distributed to operational squadrons, 36 had been written off and the balance went to the training units. The RAF had nine operational Spitfire squadrons, 1/3rd of Fighter Command Squadrons, and on 16 October 1939 a Spitfire of No. 603 Squadron claimed the first German aircraft to be destroyed over the UK in World War II, a Heinkel He 111. By August 1940, shortly before the Battle of Britain reached its climax, RAF Fighter Command could call upon 19 Spitfire Mk I squadrons.

The 1,175 hp Merlin XII was adopted as the standard power plant in the Type 329 Spitfire II with a Rotol three-blade propeller and 73 lb of amour protection, but this variant was otherwise similar to the Spitfire I. Deliveries commenced in 1940, the Spitfire II having followed the Mark I on the production lines and becoming the first major production variant to be delivered from Castle Bromwich.

By December 1940 Spitfire Mk IIs were carrying out 'Rhubarb' sweeps over occupied Europe.

During 1940 the Spitfire MkI and MkII barely maintained superiority over the Messerschmitt Bf109E so the Air Staff turned their attention to the question of a replacement. Their preferred successor was the MkIII, fitted with a Merlin XX engine and incorporating a new wing design.

Realising it would take time to tool up for a new production aircraft and because of problems with the Merlin XX, the Air Ministry asked Rolls-Royce, as an interim measure, to install the Merlin 45 engine in the Spitfire Mk I airframe. Between 1941 and 1943 over 6500 of this Type 349 MkV version were produced. The spitfire Mk III never did go into production but some of the new design features intended for it were incorporated into the MkV.




Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb


The Spitfire MkV was one of the most successful 'stop-gaps' ever introduced into Royal Air Force Service. Over one hundred and forty RAF squadrons operated the type. It served on all battlefronts and was supplied to nine other countries including the Soviet Union and the United States.

By 1944 only five squadrons remained in service. Even so, two Spitfire MkV squadrons provided gunfire direction on 6 June 1944 for naval units off the D-Day beached of Normandy.

The first squadron to fly the Spitfire V was the No. 92 and in March 1942, fifteen Spitfire VBs which had been shipped to Malta on H.M.S. Eagle, became the first Spitfires to serve outside Europe. Spitfires of this Mark were later to serve in the Western Desert and the Pacific by early 1943 and Burma areas.

In the normal course of development, means were sought to increase the altitude performance of the Spitfire which was inferior to that of the Messerschmitt Bf 109E . This called for two principal modifications, the introduction of a pressurized cabin and the use of an engine suitably rated for higher altitude. The first version of the Spitfire so equipped was the Mark VI derived directly from the Mark VB as a result of work on pressure cabins at the Royal Aircraft Establishment and Supermarine during 1940-41. At the R.A.E., R7120 was fitted with a Merlin 47 (the high rated version of the Merlin 45) with a four-blade Rotol propeller with Jablo blades and a pressure cabin. The same engine was employed by the 100 Spitfire VI (Type 350) fighters built by Supermarine the first two of these AB176 and X4942 serving as prototypes. The production Spitfire VI also had an increase in wing area to improve controllability at high altitudes the wing being of pointed planform with a span of 40 ft. 2 in. The pressure cabin was contained between the bulkheads fore and aft of the cockpit and a special non-sliding hood was fitted to simplify the sealing problem. A Marshall blower provided a cabin differential of 2 lb./s. in. reducing apparent altitude from 40,000 feet to 28,000 feet. In other respects including armament the Spitfire VI was similar to the Mark VB.

The Spitfire VII high-altitude fighter evolved from Supermarine Spitfire VC with pressurized cockpit, sliding hood, increased fuel capacity, retractable tail wheel, two-stage, two-speed 1,565 hp Merlin 61 or 1,710 hp Merlin 64 (in Supermarine Spitfire F Mk VII) or 1,475 hp high-altitude Merlin 71 (Supermarine Spitfire HF Mk VII). Extended wing-tips usually fitted and, later aircraft, broad-chord rudder with extended tip. Prototype conversions of Mk VCs flown second half of 1942; 140 produced by Supermarine, first deliveries September 1942 and operations began same month. One Mk VII to USAAF at Wright Field in April 1943.

The Spitfire VII (Type 351) was a more extensive re-design for high-altitude work and was the first of the Spitfire series intended to make use of the two speed Merlin 60 series of engines. These two-stage engines were coupled with a re-designed cooling system which showed itself in the enlarged air intake under the port wing matching that to starboard. The wing outline remained similar to that of the Spitfire VI but the ailerons were reduced in span. The chord and area of the rudder were increased and the elevator horn balance was extended. Structural changes were made to the fuselage to take the increased engine loads and a double-glaze sliding hood was fitted to the cockpit. The retractable tail wheel first developed for the Spitfire III was applied in production for the first time on the Mark VII and the universal C -type wing was employed. Maximum speed jumped by 44 m.p.h. to 408 m.p.h. and normal loaded weight climbed to 7,875 lb.

1652 Spitfire Mk VIII variants were built.




Spitfire VIII

The Mk.IX had been a quick lash-up of the MK.V to get the 60s series of Merlins into action in 1942. There were a number of minor strengthening modifications enroute, but it was still basically the same Spitfire as the Mk.I. The Mk.IX entered production in 1942. Despite a weight of 3.5 tonnes, the speed had jumped to 650km/h (405mph). About 5600 were built with British built Merlins and a further 1053 were fitted with American Packard V-1650 (Merlin 266) engines when these became available in 1943. Those Spitfires were known as LF Mk.XVI, largely for allocation to squadrons of the 2nd Tactical Air Force in 1944, with a 12 volt systems.




Spitfire IXe

The Mk.XVI (basically a Mk.9 with a Packard Merlin) was the final Merlin powered Spitfire, all later models were powered by the RR Griffon. The Packard Merlin 266 supercharger gear was electro-hydraulically operated rather then electro-pneumatically as with the RR Merlin 66 fitted to the Mk.IX.



Pilots who converted from the Merlin to the Griffon-engined Spitfires soon discovered that, because the Griffon engine's propeller rotated in the opposite direction to that of the Merlin, the fighter swung to the right on take-off rather than to the left. This tendency was even more marked with the more powerful 60 and 80 series Griffon engines, with their five-bladed propellers. As a result, pilots had to learn to apply left (port) trim on take-off, instead of the right (starboard) trim they were used to applying. On take-off, the throttle had to be opened slowly, as the pronounced swing to the right could lead to "crabbing" and severe tyre wear.



Some test Spitfire XIVs, 21s, and 24s were fitted with contra-rotating propellers, which eliminated the torque effect. Early problems with the complex gearbox that was required for contra-rotating propellers prevented them from ever becoming operational in Spitfires, but they were used on later aircraft including the Seafire FR. Mk 46 and F and FR.47, which were fitted with Griffon 87s driving contra-rotating propellers as standard equipment. The Griffon 57 and 57A series, driving contra-rotating propellers, was used in the Avro Shackleton maritime patrol aircraft.



The prefix LF signified 32 ft 7 in (9.88m) clipped wings (shorter than the usual F by 1.35m). The LF clipped wing variant was faster and more agile at low level for the ground attack role.

A degree of multi-role capability was to result from the development of low-altitude clipped wings (prefix LF), and high-altitude increased-span wings (HF), the standard wing being identified as F, and with variations of armament within these wings comprising eight machine-guns (suffix A), two cannon and four machine-guns (B), four cannon (C) and two cannon, two 12.7mm machine-guns and up to 454kg of bombs (E).

Spitfire LF Mk XVIE; The "E" status indicated the armament, two 20mm Hispano cannon and two 0.5 Browning machine guns.

In November 1939 Supermarine allocated Type 337 for a feasibility study of a Griffon engined Spitfire.

The FR.XIV was a redesigned and strengthened airframe for the 2050 Griffon 65 or 66 with a five blade prop, broad tail and tear drop canopy.

The Spitfire XIX reconnaissance version became the fastest of all the wartime Spitfires with a speed of nearly 748 km/h (460 mph).

The Mk.21 featured a stronger wing to carry two cannon in each wing, and a new, strengthened, fuselage and tail unit. The Mk.21 first flew in 1943 and entered production in 1944.

The last major production Spitfire was the F22. The F24 differed only in the smallest of details and some F24s were converted from F22 airframes. The Spitfire F24 was the ultimate development of the type, but the advent of the jet fighter meant that only small numbers were built and even fewer went into Royal Air Force service. Only seventy F24s were completed and most went into store although No.80 Squadron was fully equipped with the type.

These examples of the Spitfire incorporated all the modifications and improvements developed on earlier marks. The F24s had a tear-drop canopy for greater visibility and enlarged tail surfaces for better control. Like many of the later marks the F24 was fitted with the more powerful Griffon engine which provided a 160kph (100mph) greater top speed than the early Spitfires and almost twice the rate of climb. The weight of firepower from its cannon had tripled over the types' original fit of eight machineguns.

With the war nearly over only 350 Mk.21s, 22s and 24s were built of the 3000 or so ordered. The last Spitfire was built in 1947.




Spitfire Tr.IX


The Seafire (abbreviated from the original name ‘Sea Spitfire’) gave the Royal Navy (RN) a carrier-based air superiority fighter aircraft in WW2. As a direct development of the Spitfire, it suffered from a short range, but its fast climb and agility made it an effective fleet defence fighter and Seafire squadrons served in the Mediterranean, on D-Day and against the Japanese in the Pacific.



Interest in the idea of a carrier-borne Spitfire first surfaced in the late 1930s and Supermarine’s Chief Designer, Joseph Smith, had an ‘A-frame’ arrestor hook fitted on a Spitfire. This flew on 16 October 1939 as the type Type 338. Supermarine proposed a Spitfire design to the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) with the arrestor hook and with wings that swivelled and folded back, and in February 1940 the Admiralty requested the production of fifty of these but the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill, intervened and the order was and cancelled.



Churchill regarded the production of Fulmars vital and the greater need for land Spitfires, the diversion of resources to a new navalised variant would reduce Spitfire’s production numbers.



The first Sea Spitfires were simply existing examples (Mk.Vb) with some naval equipment added (hook and catapult spools, as well as Naval instruments and radios) but without major modifications such as folding wings. However when the Seafire began operations, it was quickly found that the fuselage of these modified Spitfires was too weak for carrier operations. Reinforcing strips were riveted around hatch openings and along the main fuselage longerons to alleviate these issues. This was the Seafire Mk Ib, becoming the first of several Seafire variants to reach the FAA. Catapult and deck trails began early in 1942, and in the spring, contracts were placed to convert 116 Spitfire Mk.Vb into Seafire Mk.Ib examples. The Seafire IIc followed this. Although of similar configuration, it was purposely re-designed for naval use. To follow was the Mk.III, which was also the first to use (manually) folding wings, and this became the final version to see WW2 service. The Seafire L.III was based on the Spitfire Mk.VC.



Because of the small size of the carriers, and the harder landing-on techniques, it was found that approaches were difficult, visibility was limited, landing gear collapses were commonplace, and the arrester hooks had a tendency to miss and bounce back into the fuselage with the inevitable resultant collision with the deck park or barrier. As a low-level fleet defence interceptor, the Seafire was supreme, but its fragility was its Achilles heal. More were lost to landing gear failures in hard landings than to enemy action.



First entering service with No 807 Squadron in mid-1942 and going to sea on board HMS Furious.



After initial placement on the Russian convoy routes, the FAA’s Seafires saw the majority of their action in the Pacific campaigns. Due to their good high altitude performance (and lack of ordnance-carrying capability) the Seafires were allocated the Combat Air Patrol (CAP) defensive duties. Flying over the fleet, they were heavily involved in countering the Kamikaze attacks during the Iwo Jima landings and beyond.




Seafire XV

A total of 20,334 Spitfires and 2,556 related new-build Seafire naval fighters were built. It also had the distinction of remaining in production throughout the entire war and was operational post-war, the last mission flown by a photo-reconnaissance Spitfire PR.Mk 19 of No. 81 Squadron in Malaya on 1 April 1954.



Work on a more powerful Seafire with a Rolls Royce Griffon began during WW2, but the Mk.XV didn’t arrive in time to take part, but it was followed by a series of Griffon powered versions and these filled the gap before the arrival of Hawker’s Sea Fury. With a bubble canopy and upgraded undercarriage, the Seafire XVII was an improved version of the XV.



Then the Seafire Mk.45 was the first version to be powered by a Griffon 60 series engine, but was a retrograde step in having fixed wings and it suffered from directional instability caused by engine torque.

Built by Vickers Armstrong at Castle Bromwich under contract B981687/39, the F Mk.46 Seafire started life as a part of the seventh order for 300 Spitfire Mk.Vc’s in March 1942. However, this contract was cancelled in 1943 but then later re-established as an order for 120 Spitfire Mk.21’s. This order was then further extended to inculde 94 Seafire F Mk.45’s and Mk.46’s.
To solve the torque problems, contra-rotating propellers were introduced on the Mk.46, but curiously, folding wings were not incorporated, and so it never saw front-line service. Seen as a “semi-navalised” variant of the Spitfire Mk.22, the Mk.46 Seafire was fitted with the bubble style canopy and the cut-down rear fuselage, which was seen earlier on the Mk.XVIII Seafire, but this new aircraft lacked the curved windscreen of the earlier aircraft. The previous Mk.45 Seafire was euipped to carry 120 gallons (454 litres) of fuel; added to this the Mk.46 was fitted with a 33 gallons (125 litres) fuel tank in the rear fuselage, also it could also will fitted with two 22½ gallon (84 litre) drop tanks under each wing. The power for the Mk.46 came from a Griffon 87 engine which was connected to a six-bladed Rotol contra-rotating propeller. The double propeller system successfully counted the engine torque seen in the earlier Griffon engines. Also the Mk.46 was to be fitted with the enlarged tail section from the Spiteful airframe.


Seafire Mk.46

So with the combination of the contra-rotating propeller system and the new tail, this gave the aircraft greater stability, making it much easier to fly. The Mk.46 was fitted with a 24 volt electrical system, unlike the Mk.45 which was just 12 volts. The both the Fighter and the Fighter-Reconnaissance variants of the Mk.46 were fully tropicalised and provision was made for deck landings with a “string” type arrester hook. However, it was planned that this variant would be only used from shore bases.
The prototype, TM383, was in fact a Mk.21 Spitfire airframe modified by Cunliffe-Owen and first flew on the 8th September 1944. This aircraft was scheduled as the third prototype for the Mk.45, but was withdrawn from that contract for use on the Mk.46 trials. By January 1945 was well into its prototype trials. It was stated that during one of the trails “Dived in formation with LA436 (a Mk.45) at 495 knots LA436 was going steeper and accelerating but vibration on TM383 became such that it was eased out of the dive”.

The FR Mk.46 only differed by having the provisions for a pair of F.24 aerial cameras to be fitted in the rear fuselage, one in the vertical and the other in oblique positions. To stop mud and dirt covering the vertical camera port during take-off, a “mud-flap” was fitted over the port and was jettisoned by the pilot once airborne. Both aircraft variants were also fitted with a cine-camera mounted in the leading edge of the starboard wing.

The Mk.46 was armed with 4 x 20mm Mk.II cannons and with its strengthened wings it could carry either 8 x 25lb or 60lb head rocket projectiles and mounted uder the fuselage it could carry 1 x 250lb or 500lb bomb.

Only 24 Seafire Mk.46’s were to be finally produced and they carried the serial numbers LA541 to LA564. Entering into service in 1948, the Mk.46 was seen as an interim aircraft and as such it was not to see front fline service and was only used in the training role by Nos. 736, 738, 767, 771, 777, 778, 781 and 787 Naval Air Squadrons. Later a number of these aircraft were also to see service with various trials organisations. One airframe LA544 was used on anti-spin trials in 1946 and as such was fitted with an anti-spin parachute and fin guard.

Before the Mk.46 was retired from service in 1951, the last of the F Mk.46’s were operated by No. 1832 RNVR Squadron.
The final version, the Mk.47, with the addition of folding wings, was actually suitable for carrier operations and saw combat in Malaya and in the early campaigns of the Korean War. Eventually over 2,000 Seafires were produced, 1,200 RR Merlin powered and 800 RR Griffon powered.



Seafire F Mk. 47


The last Seafire were finally withdrawn from first-line duties in 1952.




Spitfire IX, XI & XVI
Pilot Notes

Gallery - Spitfire



Seafire versions:


Seafire Mk.Ib

166 Spitfire Mk.Vb basic conversions with hooks; 118 Cunliffe-Owen aircraft had catapult spools. None had folding wings. Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 or 46; two Hispano cannon and two .303in Browning machine guns.


Seafire F.Mk IIc

First purpose-built version of the Seafire, produced alongside the Ib still had fixed wings, but catapult spools and slinging lugs.


Seafire L.(F).Mk IIc

Low altitude fighter version with ‘cropped’ supercharger Merlin 32, four blade airscrew. Spitfire Mk Vc conversion.


Seafire F.R. Mk IIc

Could be ftted with two F.24 cameras.


Seafire F.Mk III


Seafire L(F).Mk III


Seafire F.R. Mk III

All folding wing equipped equivalents to Mk IIc variants.


Seafire Mk III

(Hybrid) Westland-built model with normal non-folding wings; Merlin 55; redesignated as L(F).Mk IIc.


Seafire Mk XV

Fuselage of the Spitfire V (Seafire III), wing-root fuel tanks from the Spitfire IX, enlarged fin, rudder & retractable tail wheel from Spitfire VIII and the Griffon engine installation of the Spitfire XII, plus Seafire III folding wings.


Seafire Mk.XVII / FR.XVII

Improved Seafire XV, with bubble canopy and cut-down rear fuselage adopted for last 30 Seafire XVs combined with a better undercarriage and stronger wings. The new rear-fuselage was also able to carry an extra fuel tank, which could be replaced with two cameras to produce the FR.XVII.


Seafire Mk.45

Interim model, lacking folding wings and with an older fuselage design than the Seafire XVII powered by Griffon 60 series and five-blade propeller. Based on Spitfire 21, with high back, new planform (non-folding) wings, armed with four 20mm cannon. The wings also carried four leading edge fuel tanks. Found to be unsuitable for carrier use.


Seafire Mk.46

Based on the Spitfire 22, and so had the bubble canopy and cut-down rear fuselage also seen on the Seafire XVII. It was powered by a Griffon 87 engine that drove two three-bladed contra-rotating propellers.


Seafire F.Mk.47

The final version of the Spitfire line. Navalised Spitfire Mk 24 with wing-folding (manual, later hydraulic) dual three-bladed contra-rotating airscrew and increased fuel capacity. Provision for Rocket Assisted Take Off Gear (RATOG). It could carry 287 gals of fuel, a range of about 1,000 miles. Another type ‘best’ achieved by this variant was top speeds of 452 mph. Ninety built, most converted to Fighter Reconnaissance (FR).

Gallery - Seafire



Replicas:
Church Spitfire
Harris Spitfire
Isaacs Spitfire
Jurca MJ-10 Baby Spitfire
Jurca MJ-100 Baby Spitfire
Supermarine Aircraft Spitfire Mk.25 (75%)
Supermarine Aircraft Spitfire Mk.26 (80% & 90%)

Specifications –

Type 300 Prototype
Engine: 1030 hp Merlin II / 738kW Rolls-Royce Merlin C
Laden weight: 2.5 tonnes
Speed: 560km/h / 350mph

Spitfire I
Engine: Rolls-Royce Merlin Mk II, 1016 hp
Prop: Airscrew Company's wooden fixed-pitch two-blade.
Length: 29.921 ft / 9.12 m
Height: 11.417 ft / 3.48 m
Wingspan: 36.811 ft / 11.22 m
Wing area 242 sq. ft
Weight empty: 4,810 lb. (2,180 kg)
Max take off weight: 5325.1 lb / 2415.0 kg
Wing loading: 24 lb/sq.ft
Fuel capacity: 85 Imperial gallons
Maximum speed: 355 mph (570 kph) at 19,000 ft
Maximum diving speed: 450 mph
Initial climb rate: 2,500 ft./min
Time to 20,000 ft: 9.4 min
Range: 575 miles (920 km)
Combat range: 395 miles
Service ceiling: 33990 ft / 10360 m
Roll rate: 140 deg./sec
Standard armament: eight 0.303-in. Browning machine-guns / 300 rounds
Crew: 1

Type 329 Spitfire II
Engine: 1,175 hp Merlin XII
Propeller: Rotol three-blade

Type 349 Spitfire V
Engine: Merlin 45
Loaded weight: 6,417 lb
Maximum speed: 369 mph

Spitfire VA
Engine: 1 x Rolls-Royce Merlin 45, 1102kW / 1478 hp
Wingspan: 11.23 m / 37 ft 10 in
Length: 9.12 m / 30 ft 11 in
Height: 3.02 m / 10 ft 11 in
Wing area: 22.48 sq.m / 241.97 sq ft
Max take-off weight: 2911 kg / 6418 lb
Empty weight: 2267 kg / 4998 lb
Max. speed: 594 km/h / 369 mph at 5945 m
Ceiling: 11125 m / 36500 ft
Range w/max.fuel: 1827 km / 1135 miles
Armament: 8 x 7.7mm machine-guns

Spitfire VB
Speed: 369 mph at 19,750 ft
Max range: 1135 miles
Armament: 2 x 20mm .303in Cannon, 4 x mg
Seats: 1

Spitfire LF.VB
Powerplant: 1 x Rolls-Royce Merlin 40M, 50M or 55M,1096kW (1,470 hp)
Span: 9.80m (32ft 2in)
Length: 9.11 m (29ft 11 in)
Normal T/O weight: 3016 kg (6650 lb)
Max speed: 357 mph @ 6000 ft
Operational range: 470 miles
Armament: 2 x 20-mm cannon and 4 x 7.7-mm (0.303-in) mg
Wingspan: 32 ft 7 in (9.88m)

Type 350 Spitfire VI
Engines: 1 x Rolls-Royce Merlin 47, 1415 hp
Wing span: 40 ft 2 in (12.224 m)
Length: 29 ft 11 in (9.12m)
Max TO wt: 6797 lb (3083 kg)
Max level speed: 364 mph (586 kph).
Cabin differential: 2 lb/sq.in

Type 351 Spitfire VII
Engine: 1,565 hp Merlin 61
Wingspan 17.3 m (40 ft. 2 in.)
Length 9 m (29 ft. 11 in.)
Height 3.58 m (11 ft. 5 in.)
Gross weight 3,575 kg (7,875 lb.)
Maximum speed: 408 m.p.h

Spitfire HF VII
Engine: 1,475 hp Merlin 71

Spitfire F VII
Engine: 1,710 hp Merlin 64
Wingspan: 8.53m

Spitfire Mk VIII
Engine: Rolls-Royce Merlin 70, 1710 horsepower (1275.66 kW)
Propeller: Rotol Constant Speed 10'9" diameter (3.22m)
Engine driven propeller governor hydraulically controls four wooden blades.
Fuel: Aviation Gasoline 100 Octane
Fuselage Tank Capacity: 90 Imperial Gallons / 409 Litres / 108 U.S. Gallons
Wing Tank Capacity (2): 30 Imperial Gallons / 136 Litres / 36 U.S.Gallons
Wingspan: 36' 10" / 11.23 m
Length: 31' 3.5" / 9.54 m
Wing Area: 242 sq. ft / 22.50 sq. m
Height: 12' 7.75” / 3.85 m
Empty weight: 5,805 lb / 2,633 kg
Maximum Takeoff weight: 8,021 lb / 3,638 kg
Maximum Speed: 361 knots / 416 mph / 669 km/h
Cruise Speed: 220 knots / 253 mph / 407 km/h
Armament: Two 20mm Hispano Cannons, Four .303 in. Browning Machine Guns.
Bombload: one 500 lb (227 kg) or two 250 lb (114 kg)

Spitfire IX
Engine: Rolls Royce Merlin 70
Wing span: 11.3 m
Length: 9.5 m
Weight: 3300 kg
Armament: 2 x 20 mm cannon, 4 x .303 mg
Max speed: 650 kph / 405mph
Range: 700 km

Spitfire LF.IXB
Wingspan: 32 ft 7 in (9.88m)

Spitfire F.IX
Engine: RR Merlin 63
Wingspan: 8.53m

Spitfire IXe
Armament: two 20mm Hispano cannon, two 0.5 Browning machine-guns
Bombload: 454kg

Spitfire Tr.IX
Seats: 2

Spitfire XII
Engine: Rolls-Royee Griffon, 2050 hp

Spitfire XIV
Engine: RR Griffon 65, 2022 hp
Length: 29.068 ft / 8.86 m
Wingspan: 36.844 ft / 11.23 m
Wing area: 244.02 sq.ft / 22.67 sq.m
Max take off weight: 10281.9 lb / 4663.0 kg
Weight empty: 6701.0 lb / 3039.0 kg
Max speed: 448 mph (721 km/h) at 26,000 ft (7,925 m)
Max. speed: 389 kt / 721 km/h
Cruising speed: 315 kt / 583 km/h
Service ceiling: 42995 ft / 13105 m
Wing loading: 42.23 lb/sq.ft / 206.0 kg/sq.m
Crew: 1
Armament: 2x 20mm MG, 2x cal.50 MG (12,7mm), 227kg Bomb.

Spitfire FR.XIVe
Engine: Griffon 65 or 66, 2050 hp
Prop: 5 blade
Armament: two 20mm Hispano cannon, two 0.5 Browning machine-guns
Bombload: 454kg

Spitfire F.XV

Spitfire XVI
Engine: Packard V-1650 (Merlin 266), two speed, two-stage supercharger, 1700 hp (1245kW)
Propeller: Rotol Constant Speed 10'9" diameter (3.22m) four wooden blades
Fuel: Aviation Gasoline 100 Octane
Wingspan: 36' 10" / 9.93 m
Length: 31' 4" / 9.55 m
Wing Area: 242 sq. ft / 22.50 sq. m
Height: 12' 7 1/2" / 3.85 m
Fuselage Tank Capacity: 48 Imperial Gallons / 218 Litres / 57 U.S. Gallons
Wing Tank Capacity (2): 37 Imperial Gallons / 168 Litres / 44 U.S.Gallons
Empty weight: 5,985 lb / 2,715 kg
Maximum Takeoff weight: 8,700 lb / 3,946 kg
Maximum Speed: 361 knots / 416 mph / 669 km/h
Cruise Speed: 220 knots / 253 mph / 407 km/h
Armament: Two 20mm Hispano Cannon
Bombload: one 500 lb (227 kg) or two 250 lb (114 kg)

Spitfire LF XVI
Engine: Packard V-1650 (Merlin 266)
12 volt systems

Spitfire LF XVIe
Armament: two 20mm Hispano cannon, two 0.5 Browning machine-guns
Bombload: 454kg

Spitfire PR.XIX
Speed: 748 km/h (460 mph)

Spitfire 21

Spitfire 22
Engine: Rolls-Royce Griffon, 2,375 hp

Spitfire F22

Spitfire F.24
Engine: 2350 hp Rolls-Royce Griffon
Maximum speed: 450 mph

Seafire XV
Engine: RR Griffon, 1850 hp

Seafire L.III
Engine: Rolls Royce Merlin 55, 1450 hp
Length: 29.987 ft / 9.14 m
Height: 11.155 ft / 3.4 m
Wingspan: 36.68 ft / 11.18 m
Wing area: 241.975 sq.ft / 22.48 sq.m
Max take off weight: 7102.3 lb / 3221.0 kg
Weight empty: 5400.0 lb / 2449.0 kg
Max. speed: 306 kt / 566 km/h
Cruising speed: 190 kt / 351 km/h
Service ceiling: 33793 ft / 10300 m
Cruising altitude: 20013 ft / 6100 m
Wing loading: 29.32 lb/sq.ft / 143.0 kg/sq.m
Maximum range: 630 nm / 1167 km
Range: 404 nm / 748 km
Crew: 1
Armament: 2x 20mm MG, 4x cal.303 MG (7,7mm)
Bombload: 227kg



Seafire F Mk.46 and FR Mk.46 Supermarine Type 388
Engine: Two-stage two-speed Supercharged Griffon 87, 1,540 hp
Wing Span: 36 ft 11 in
Length: 33 ft 3 in (tail up), 34 ft 6 in (to tip of arrestor hook)
Height: 11 ft 6 in (Tail up), 12 ft 6 in (tail down)
Max Speed: 435 mph at 24,000 ft
Max altitude: 40,700 ft
Armament: Four Hispano 20mm Mk.II Cannons
Bomb Load: One 250lb/500lb bomb under fuselage, eight (four each wing) rocket projectiles.
Crew: 1