No. My facts are exactly where they belong.
Spitfire definitely attempted to break the world speed record in 1937 with a specially modified Merlin II engine installed.
Yet they didn't make it.
There's information about this on the net too. For example:
Don't believe every fact an internet search turns up.
Prior to May 1938, there was 1 Spitfire flying, the prototype K 5054. On the 14th May, the first production aircraft, K9787, first flew.
If a Spitfire tried to break any records in 1937, it could only have been the prototype, K5054.
K5054 was fitted with a Merlin "C" in 1936, when it first flew, and later had a production Merlin II fitted, developing 1050 hp. It was never fitted with a more powerfull engine, certainly nothing approaching 2000hp.
This is what Spitfire The History has to say about the "speed Spitfire" that was intended to break the world record:
First meeting of the Supermarine record team 7th September 1937
The minutes of the meeting contained the following summary:
It is estimated that the Spitfire without serious modification could attain a speed of between 375 and 400 mphunder World's Record Conditions. Engine output. It is understood that using special fuel the Merlin should develop 1850/1900 hp at 3000 rpmon the bench at sea level. Allowing for forward intake effectthis becomes approximately 2100 bhp. With this, it is estmated that the maximum level speed of the Spitfire would be 373 mph. This assumes no unforseen drag or compressibility effects occur and is based on the Martelsham level speed of 349 mph at 16,000ft with a Merlin C engine developing 1000 hpfor the prototype aircraft. On 7th August a modified Merlin II was running at Rolls-Royce producing 1536 ho. Fuel was a mix of Benzol petrol and Methanol, with lead added for anti-knock.
There's more about ways to increase the speed, use of different props, windscreen, exhausts, removing the tailwheel etc.
A team from RR then met Supermarine on 10th September to discuss fuel and cooling systems.
On 9th Nov RR and Supermarine met again, and RR said the first engine would be ready in a few weeks, and would provide 1,995 hp at 375 mph.
The first full meeting of the record team took place on 25th November. They agreed 2 aircraft should be prepared for the record attempt, In the event no work was carried out on the second aircraft.
Four days later, RR said a standard engine providing 2000 hp could be ready in 6 weeks, an engine providing 2100 hp would take 12 weeks.
The next meeting was on the 13th Dec and laid out the conditions for testing, 5 runs of 10 miles each being required.
By 12th May 1938 work had slowed down, witha meeting at de Havilland still not having decided on a prop.
On 20th June the first special engine had been cleared for normal water cooling, and a flight engine was promised for mid July.
That's taken us up to mid 1938, and still no attempt on the record. In fact, the record plane wasn't even in the configuration decided on for the record attempt.
AFAIK, they never actually made an attempt on the record, and the plane never flew with 2000 hp.
Guppy could probably give you the full details though.
