Hmmm OK here goes. I'd suggest getting a copy of Spitfire-The History-by Morgan and Shacklady if you really want to break this down further.
Just gonna do Fighter Variants as going into all the Photo Recce birsds based on the Spit I and V would take a while. Not including non production variants like the Spit III
Spit I-First fighter variant. Initially had a two blade wooden fixed pitch prop and a flat top canopy. Later versions had two speed 3 blade props and then constant speed propellers. Later versions also had the canopy bulged to give more head room. The majority were Ia versions with 8 303 mgs, but there were some flown operationally as Ibs with 2 20mm cannons. Gun stoppages and jams did not make that version popular. Engines were Merlin II and III.
Spit II Castle Bromwich built version of the Spit I. Powered by a Merlin XII. Most were built as IIa's with 8 303 mgs, but about 170 were built as IIbs with 2 20mm and 4 303mgs.. A small batch were built with 40 gallon fuel tanks on the leading edge of the right wing and were used operationally but not with much enthusiasm by the pilots who flew them. Profile I did of an OTU Spit II that still exists and is being restored.
Spit IV(Not produced, but the first Griffon engined Spit. Later became the prototype for the XII.)
Spit V. Produced in F or LF versions designated Va, Vb or Vc depending on wing type. The A wing had 8 303s, the B wing had 2 20mm and 4 303s, the C or Universal Wing had provisions for 8 303, 2 20mm and 4 303 or 4 20mm installations. The wing could be clipped, normal span, with a few fitted with locally made extended wing tips for high alt work. Engine types were Merlin 45, 46 , 50, 55, 56 and derivatives of each. Spit Vs used in the Med or in the Pacific had the "Vokes filter" added to keep sand etc out of the engine. This gave it the larger profile nose. Profile of a fairly basic Vb
Spit VI (High altitude variant based on the Spit V. had pressurized cockpit with canopy bolted on. 4 blade propeller, extended wings. Had B wing armament of 2 20mm cannon and 4 303mg. 100 production aircraft powered by a single stage Merlin 47
Spit VII-High altitude variant using the two stage Merlin 71. This one also had a pressurized canopy but it was sliding. It used the Universal wing with 2 20mm and 4 303 mgs as well as the smaller span ailerons of the VIII. It also had either the early rudder or the later broad chord pointed rudder. No tropical filter under the nose. A small intake could be seen on the right side of the nose under the exhausts that was only seen on pressurized Spits.
Spit VIII-LF, F and HF variants. Used the Universal wing with 2 20mm cannon & 4 303mgs. Wings were clipped, normal or extended span depending on the role it was being used for. Engines were Merlin 61, 63, 66, or 70 depending on the variant. LF for example used the Merlin 66. HF used the Merlin 70. Differed from the IX which was produced earlier, by having retractable tail, shorter span ailerons,. tropical air filters from the start. Early versions has smaller rudder. Most had tall pointed rudder of the XII.Profile is of an Aussie Spit VIII.
Spit IX -LF, F and HF variants. Used the Universal wing with 2 20mm cannon & 4 303mgs, or the E wing with 2 20mm cannon and 2 .5MGs. Wings were clipped, normal or extended span depending on the role it was being used for. Engines were Merlin 61, 63, 66, or 70 depending on the variant. LF for example used the Merlin 66. HF used the Merlin 70. Early versions did not have the larger 'tropical filter' under the nose but this was added later. Rudder was either the early rounded rudder or later the tall pointed broader chord rudder of the XII.
Spit XII-Clipped wing variant with a Universal wing with 2 20mm and 4 303 mgs. Engine was either Griffon III or Griffon IV. 100 Built, used by 41 and 91 Squadrons. Profile of the only surviving Spit XII.
Spit XIV-First two stage Griffon variant. Used either the Griffon 65 or 66. Could have clipped or normal span wings. Could be high profile back or cut down fuselage with bubble canopy. Some modified with a camera port behind the cockpit, known as the FRXIV. Used the Universal wing with 2 20mm or 4 303 mgs on early XIVs, with the majority having the E wing with 2 20mm and 2 .5mgs. High back and low back XIV profiles:
Keep in mind, learning Spits, is like learning 109s. There are so many variants of variants that it takes a while to get it all straight.
Using the Spit LF IX as an example.
You could see a Spit LFIX like the profile below with a full span Universal wing carrying 2 20mm and 4 303mgs, with no tropical intake and a small rudder. Or you could see a low back LFIX too.
or you could see a Spit LFIX like the profile below with a clipped E wing with 2 20mm and 2 .5mgs as the broad chord rudder and tropical filter.
A low back Spit LFIX
All Spit LFIXs but definately not looking alike in many ways.That applies to most Spit variants. OK techically the last two are XVIs, as I haven't done profiles of IXs in the same config yet, but the XVI was the IX with a Merlin 266 built in the US. You could find LFIXs with the same look. You get the point I hope
Dan/Slack
