Author Topic: Spit Questions??? (Read 415 times)

bustr · « **on:** July 16, 2007, 08:25:57 PM »

1. Is our current Spit IX an up-engined Spit V airframe or a later war, factory purpose built (Mark) Spit IX?

2. Is our Spit VIII a factory built sturdier airframe Spit IX with a Merlin 61/63/66 or 70? But then the IX received 61/66 and 70. Im confused....

3. Functionaly what are the differences in the IX and VIII? I know the VIII airframe was used with a Griffon 61 in it and designated the XIV. This points to the much stronger frame. The IX seems to be able to fly slower circles than the VIII with out stalling, and confound Ki84's.

I made the mistake of doing some reading recently, which caused me to be confused by the rich depth of information surrounding the Spitfire. I have been flying the Spit IX lately for perk farming and am confused by its performance. It reminds me of the Spit V in AH1 that Leviathon made so famous. Flying it has given me a bit of dejavu to that performance. It's an excellent competitor in the MA.

SgtPappy · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2007, 09:13:50 PM »

1) There were only a few Mk.V's converted into Mk.IX's directly, but our aircraft, MH434, was built in '43 as a purpose-built Mk.IX. Our in game Mk.IX spitfire has the Merlin 61, which has better performance at high altitude than our Mk.VIII and XVI which have the Merlin 66 and 266 respectively. Down low, the merlin 66 and 266 (a Packard-built version of the 66), beat the 61 easily.

2) Our Spitfire Mk.VIII is actually an LF.VIII of Clive Caldwell of No.1 Churchill fighter wing in Australia. He actually didn't gain any kills while flying it.

Our Mk.VIII is designated 'LF' (Low-altitude Fighter) due to the Merlin 66 which is a low-altitude version of the Merlin 63, which in itself was a more powerful Merlin 61. Also, all Mk.VIII's were purpose built, and all 1,658 were built at Supermarine works. The Mk.VIII wasn't simply a more powerful and strengthened Mk.IX. It has shorter ailerons, a retractable tailwheel, and extra fuel. The two main tanks both hold 48 Imperial Gallons respectively (about 57.6 US gallons) while the Mk. IX's main tanks hold (top) 48 IG and (bottom) 37. The wings of the Mk.VIII also hold fuel. The leading edge directly inboard of the cannons hold about 12.5 IG each. Also, our Mk.VIII was a relatively common example since it has the 'griffon tail' which is the nickname given to Spitfires which had the taller, wide-chord rudder used on Griffon-engine Spitfires. All these mods made the Spitfire VIII some 200 lbs. heavier.

3) In real life, the VIII was found to be more stable but, if anything, it probably turned slightly worse at really low speed. In-game, our Mk.VIII is a better energy fighter due to the extra hp and weight (despite of which, the Mk.VIII still has a better powerloading), allowing it to dive a little better. Don't just turn and burn in the Mk.VIII. The Mk.IX, having a Merlin 61, wont climb, accelerate or run as fast as the Mk.VIII at low and medium altitudes as its engine only produces about 1,580 hp as opposed to the Mk.VIII's Merlin 66 of 1,720 hp at best alt.

The Mk.IX also has a similar boost rating to that of the AHI Spitfire V which, IMO was the best Spitfire V available with + 16 lb of boost. The Mk.IX makes + 15 lbs. of boost in this game but its more powerful engine allows it to perform better than the Mk.V, but not by a massive amount. Considerable, but not massive.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2007, 11:47:28 AM »

Skins don't really indicate the version we have. if so the Spit IX would be an LFIX based on the MH434 serial.

The Spit IX is an F IX with a Merlin 61 from the 1943 timeframe. It was based of the strengthened Spitfire Vc airframe. It has the usual 85 gallon internal fuel, fixed tail rounded rudder and universal wing with 4 303 and 2 30mm

The Spitfire VIII we have is an LFVIII with a Merlin 66. It also has the short span ailerons of the VIII, retractable tail wheel, tall tail and extra fuel in the wings and the Universal wing with 2 20mm and 4 303

And the Spit XVI we have is an LFXVIe with the Merlin 66. And it has the tail tail, fixe tail wheel, clipped wings with normal span ailerons and the E wing with 2 20mm and 2 .5mgs as well as the wing hardpoints for rockets or bombs.

In essence HTC did it right in giving us a 43 Spit IX, a 44 Spit VIII and a 45 Spit XVI.

They covered all the bases with 2 stage Merlin Spitfires.

Krusty · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2007, 11:58:17 AM »

I thought we had the early model Spit IX (lower boost), which meant (again, I though) 1942, rather than 1943?

Guppy35 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2007, 01:11:26 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Krusty
I thought we had the early model Spit IX (lower boost), which meant (again, I though) 1942, rather than 1943?

Since they really only got moving in July-August 42, there wasn't a lot of 42 with Spit IXs. The Merlin 61 birds were late 42-43 if ya want to be picky

Merlin 66 was mid 43 or so.

You get the idea though. We got an early to mid Spit IX, a Mid to late Spit VIII and a late Spit XVI.

SgtPappy · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2007, 01:25:18 PM »

Yea, the Mk.IX's with + 15 lb. boost were early 1942 Mk.IX's i believe, which is weird since out skin is the '43 skin. No bombs though, 1942-43 spits were only for defence purposes.

Also, the fact that the Spit XVI has clipped wings means that its ailerons are ever so slightly shorter

but still longer than the Mk.VIII ailerons.

Our Mk.XVI spitfire is essentially a 1944 Mk.IX with the E-type wing and the Packard-Merlin 266. That's why it's got the bombs even though Mk.IX's were known to carry bombs too.

Krusty · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2007, 02:03:38 PM »

Don't forget the Spit14!!!

NitroFish · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2007, 02:18:02 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Guppy35
...and universal wing with 4 303 and 2 30mm

A spit with 30mm.

bustr · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2007, 06:39:50 PM »

Thank you for clearing up my questions.

I've been noticing too many spit8 and spit16 pilots in the game approch fighting a spit9 thinking it has similar performance. Or maintain too much E after the merge and allow the spit9's turn fighting strengths to prevail. It's very easy with 9 out of 10 spit8 and 16 attackers to make them over shoot with a barrel roll or a side slip. But then when that 1 out of 10 shows up you can see them emidiatly shadow your moves having dumped E....

I will have to start a systematic flying review of the spit8, 16 and 14 after having used the spit9 as my foundation. Frankly the spit9 is just too much fun to fly right now. Again thank you everyone.........