My analysis of the new and revised Spitfires: General performance and observations.
When the latest update was released, I immediately tested all of the new and revised aircraft, including the Bf 109s. This analysis will deal only with the Spitfires.
Generally, I had not been flying Spitfires very often in the MA. When I did, I preferred the Mk.V or the Seafire as they were not far behind speed and climb with the Mk.IX, but handling and turning ability of the former was markedly superior.
Testing began with the LF Mk.XVI. I recorded maximum speeds at sea level and at best altitude. I tested sustained climb rate and I tested initial roll rate (over 360°). Roll rate data will be graphed and added a bit later. A speed chart is included below.
I learned that the Mk.XVI was one of the best low to medium altitude fighters in the plane set. Climb from sea level to 10,000 feet was marginally better than the Bf 109K4. Acceleration is in the top 10. Roll rate, while inferior to the Fw 190 at the speed where 190s roll their fastest, was just about equal over 180- 220 mph range. Turn rate seemed at least as good as the Mk.IX. Low level speed is adequate, if not stellar at 343 to 344 mph. At its best altitude (20,000 ft) I attained 405 mph. Unlike the other Spitfires, the Mk.XVI’s cannons are supplemented with a pair of BMG .50 caliber MGs. These are far more lethal than four .303 caliber guns and have a greater effective range to boot. Up to 1,000 pounds of mixed under-wing ordnance can be carried, as well as a slipper-type external fuel tank.
Testing the Mk.VIII showed it to be another very able fighter. Climb was only slightly less than the Mk.XVI. Acceleration was slightly less than the Mk.XVI as well. Roll rate was far below the Mk.XVI, with the fastest roll rate being more than 30° less than the clipped-wing Mk.XVI. Sustained turn rate seemed equal to the Mk.XVI and the old Mk.IX. I measured 337 mph at sea level and 403 mph at 21,000 feet. This fighter is able to carry a single 500 lb bomb under the fuselage.
As dogfighters, the Mk.XVI is slightly better than the Mk.VIII simply due to the formers much better roll rate. However, either is formidable with a competent pilot at the controls.
I did not do extensive performance testing for the Mk.V, Seafire Mk.IIc or Spitfire Mk.I, but I will pass on what testing results I do have and give you my impressions of flying them.
Spitfire Mk.I: Improved acceleration and climb due to an increase in supercharger boost. Seems a tad faster on the deck, only 3 mph slower than the revised Mk.Vb. Roll rate is inferior to all other Spitfires, and gets worse as speed increases (due to fabric covered ailerons). Climb rate is improved, but only slightly. Overall, the Mk.I is better than before, but still not a good choice for the MA environment.
Spitfire Mk.Vb: Performance has been rolled back by changing from the more powerful Mk.Vc to the earlier version. This was done by reducing supercharger boost from 16 lbs, back down to 12 lbs. Climb, acceleration and speed all have suffered as a result. Maximum speed at sea level has been reduced from 314 mph down to 305 mph. Moreover, the amount of cannon ammunition has been cut in half as the Mk.Vb’s Hispanos are now fed from 60 round drums. Overall, with the exception of better rolling ability and the added firepower of the cannons, the revised Mk.V is not greatly superior to the Mk.I in general performance.
Seafire Mk.IIc: Similar power as the Mk.Vb, but with a little added weight. This aircraft retains the 120 rounds per cannon. Overall, I would take the Seafire over the Mk.V for MA flying simply because of the greater lethality offered by the 240 round total 20mm ammo capacity and the ability to operate from a carrier deck. This aircraft can also carry one 500 lb bomb under its fuselage. Maximum speed at sea level was recorded at 304 mph.
Spitfire F Mk.IX: Carried over unchanged from previous version, with the exception of armament load-out options. Better high altitude performance than the Mk.XVI, but significantly inferior down low. With the Mk.XVI and Mk.VIII available, the Mk.IX will get less use. Maximum speed at sea level is 319 mph. However, at high altitude the Mk.IX comes alive, handily out-climbing the Mk.VIII and Mk.XVI above 20,000 feet. At 27,000 feet, the Mk.IX can attain 413 mph in WEP and 404 mph in MIL power. Consider that the Mk.VIII can only manage 396 mph with WEP at 25,000 feet and you can see that up above 25,000 feet, the Mk.IX is the fastest Merlin Spitfire of the lot. Handling is excellent, easily equal to the Mk.VIII, and rate of roll is faster as well. Like all Spitfires, ailerons stiffen up at very high speeds. However, the light elevators can allow the pilot to exceed airframe limits and pull off the wings at higher velocities. Armament is the same as the Mk.VIII, two 20 mm cannon and four .303 machineguns. No under-wing ordnance is available.
Spitfire F Mk.XIV: Like the Mk.IX, this fighter is carried over with no changes in performance. However, with the high-performance Merlin powered Mk. XVI and Mk.VIII; I do not believe there is any reason to retain the moderate perk price assigned to the Mk.XIV. I’m of the opinion that the perk price should be reduced to 10. Armament is the same as the Mk.XVI. In terms of performance, the heavier Mk.XIV offers a sustained climb rate virtually identical to the Mk.VIII through 10,000 feet. Speed is greater, being at least 22 mph faster than the Mk.VIII on the deck, with the gap increasing as you go higher. At its best altitude (27,500 ft), it is among the fastest fighters in the plane set (445 mph). Handling is a bit quirky as the big Griffon engine and the 5-bladed propeller generate a great deal of torque. Thus, the Mk.XIV turns significantly better to the left than to the right. Landing is a bit more complicated as the torque makes low-speed maneuvering more dicey than in the other Spitfires. Turning rate is similar to the Mk.IX to the left, and inferior to the Mk.IX to the right. Acceleration is at the top of the heap, meaning that it is one of the fastest accelerating fighters in the plane-set. This fighter is very possibly the best E-fighter in the game. While it can turn fight nearly as well as the Mk.VIII, its greatest strength rests in its combination of speed, acceleration and vertical performance. If you must turn fight it is able to compete well enough, but you would be wasting its capability if you fly it like a Mk.V. There are other Spitfires better suited for knife fighting.
My regards,
Widewing
