Author Topic: Spit VIIIs in ETO (Read 648 times)

1K3 · « **on:** November 16, 2005, 01:37:45 AM »

was spit 8 still in action in late war ETO or quickly phased out by clipped wing Spit 9s and 16s?

Kev367th · « **Reply #1 on:** November 16, 2005, 02:18:41 AM »

Most Spit VIII's went straight to SEAC (RAF South East Asia Command). VIII wasn't phased out by IX and XVI, in fact it was originally the Mk IX replacement.
All but one of RAF SEAC units used Spit VIII's.

Angus · « **Reply #2 on:** November 16, 2005, 04:00:33 AM »

They were in the Med including Italy I belive.

Squire · « **Reply #3 on:** November 16, 2005, 06:00:31 AM »

RAF 1st Tactical Air Force in Italy and the Med in general.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 16, 2005, 11:11:09 AM »

Because they were intended for overseas use and tropicalized, they went to the MTO, CBI and Pacific..

1K3 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 28, 2005, 10:56:02 PM »

no spit 8 saw action in ETO 1943?

Guppy35 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 28, 2005, 11:21:02 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by 1K3
no spit 8 saw action in ETO 1943?

No. First unit to receive the Spit VIII was 145 Squadron on Malta, June 1943.

First Spit VIII off the production line was November 42. Introduction of the Spit IX slowed the urgency to get the VIII into action.

1K3 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 28, 2005, 11:32:26 PM »

were Mk VIII also stationed in the channel front too?

Guppy35 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 29, 2005, 12:33:09 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by 1K3
were Mk VIII also stationed in the channel front too?

That would be the ETO. No they were not. They went to the MTO, CBI or to the Aussies.

They were tropicalized from the start for overseas use. The Spit IXs were not tropicalized to start and were limited to home duties initially. This was true of the Spit XII and the Tiffie among others.

The Spit IX was later tropicalized and did make it to the MTO

Neil Stirling1 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2005, 03:53:24 AM »

Mk VIII operational history http://www.spitfireperformance.com/spit8.html

Neil.

bozon · « **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2005, 04:05:07 AM »

I hope there's a a desert cammo on the making for it. I'm a fool for brown/yellow planes. The desert mossie we have is sweeeeeet.

Bozon

Kev367th · « **Reply #11 on:** November 29, 2005, 05:00:04 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by bozon
I hope there's a a desert cammo on the making for it. I'm a fool for brown/yellow planes. The desert mossie we have is sweeeeeet.

Bozon

Hmm you might be in luck then.