Spit XIV

[Kev367th]

Originally posted by Angus
Pink  ones were phote-recce weren't they?
I've seen a pink Spit. Well, "Mountbatten Pink" they called it

16 Sqn flew fully armed 'Pink' FR IX's on D-Day (FR - fighter/recce).

[bozon]

Originally posted by Kev367th
HT how about giving us bigger slippers? (pref 90gal to get back to previous range)
By the time you get a XIV to its best alt you've all but used the current slipper.

The XIV has a very decent range (much better than the XVI). Once you climbed a little and start to cruise don't fly at full throttle - reduce it a little and some RPM too. Using the setting stated as "normal" under the E6B gives a good range and fast cruise. For efficiency I climb at full throttle then switch to economic cruise at higher alt (also faster). The climbrate is so fast that I usually do it at 200-220 mph to cover some more ground while I climb. Climb rate dropps very little between 170 and 200.

The 14 is the only spit I fly, the only perk ride and I never feel short legged even though I'm used to flying jugs. Fuel is actually less of an isse than in the P47s. I always take 100% + DT on the 14 and manage the throttle since it cruise and climb so fast anyway.

Fun ride
Bozon

[Guppy35]

90 gallon tank on a 91 Squadron Spitfire IX in the Fall of 44 when they were escorting RAF bombers in daylight.

Jettisonable.

The XIVs didn't use the 90s much if at all as they were either on anti-diver patrols in the summer of 44 or based on the continent from the Fall of 44 on.

30 gallon tank was fairly standard I believe.

[Kev367th]

The larger ones (45/90) were common also Dan.

The 170gal tank was actually developed in the first place for planes flying to Malta so was probably not used much.

However I think we need at least the option of the 45gal slipper, and preferably the 90gal also, although I'd settle for just the 45gal as a bare minimum.

[justin_g]

I imagine other fighters had similar restrictions with large external fuel loads, but this comment comes from the XIV manual

When a 90-gallon drop tank or bomb load is carried, the aircraft is restricted to straight flying and only gentle manoeuvres.

However there were no restrictions of any kind for flight with the 30-gallon tank.

[Guppy35]

Originally posted by Kev367th
The larger ones (45/90) were common also Dan.

The 170gal tank was actually developed in the first place for planes flying to Malta so was probably not used much.

However I think we need at least the option of the 45gal slipper, and preferably the 90gal also, although I'd settle for just the 45gal as a bare minimum.

If you are talking ToD and looking at Spits in the escort role late in 44 flying from England then I'd agree with needing larger tanks. But in terms of the MA and even in operating the Spits in a 2 TAF role on the continent in ToD at some point, the 30s are plenty in my opinion.  I don't see many photos of 2 TAF Spits lugging tanks.

The crowd in the MA is screaming about the Spits enough already.  Give em long range and they'd really be howling

It's still a matter to me as to how often Spits, in particular XIVs carried 45 or 90 gallon tanks.  As they were operating on the continent, I don't believe they were ever taking 90 gallon tanks.

Just looking through all my Spit stuff for some sort of photo evidence of tanks on 2 TAF Spits of any kind and all I'm seeing are 30s and that's not often either.  One photo of an XIV looks to have a 45 and theres on postwar photo of an XVI with a 45.  But overall the evidence for larger tanks is lacking.

That doesn't mean they couldn't.  It just appears they weren't because they were close enough to the action that they didn't need them.

[Squire]

Since they were never tasked with long range escort the need never arose too often. I know the Mustang IIIs did a fair bit of the escort for the daytime Lancaster raids in 1944-45.

I would say most sorties were DT free in 2 TAF as most of the sorties were within range of internal fuel, although they were used "commonly" when the need arose, by ADGB and 2 TAF. 30 gallons were plenty most times, and I doubt they ever used the 90s in France/Holland/Germany.

When ToD comes along im sure it will be a fuel burn that will be not as severe as the MA.

I think the 30 gallon is the right choice, as its the one they used most often, we are trying to stick to that theme, not "every loadout possible irregardless of how rare" < which I for one dont support, on any of them.

[Angus]

As a sidenote, 2 Spitfires were equipped with big internal wing tanks and a big droptank. Those crossed the Atlantic via Iceland
Wonder where I saw a picture of those.

[justin_g]

P.R.XI had an extra 132 gallons in wing tanks, and with a 90 gallon drop tank they could fly from England to Berlin.

[Charge]

"The crowd in the MA is screaming about the Spits enough already. Give em long range and they'd really be howling"

Not at all, knock yourself out. I'm sure it would be good for the game.



-C+

[FTJR]

As a sidenote, 2 Spitfires were equipped with big internal wing tanks and a big droptank. Those crossed the Atlantic via Iceland

I remember something from Johnny Johnsons book, WingLeader, how the guys in his squadron were so desperate to increase the range of the spit that they made inquires as to those spits, but found that the tanks had an adverse affect on the stuctrual limits.. some thing along those lines anyway. It was a great read.. Wonder if its still at my Mums house:eek:

[Kev367th]

Originally posted by FTJR
I remember something from Johnny Johnsons book, WingLeader, how the guys in his squadron were so desperate to increase the range of the spit that they made inquires as to those spits, but found that the tanks had an adverse affect on the stuctrual limits.. some thing along those lines anyway. It was a great read.. Wonder if its still at my Mums house:eek:

They used IX's with Mustang drop tanks and extra internal fuel to get them across the Atlantic.
On the way back one recieved a nice bit of noseart during its stay in Iceland.



I've asked Skuzzy about this one, maybe a candidate for a skin.