Author Topic: Spit VIII vs. Spit XVI (Read 858 times)

duddini · « **on:** August 23, 2007, 07:48:35 AM »

I see by the stats of kills that the 16 is much more popular than the 8, I'm just not sure why. Looking at DoKGonZo's comparisons (I look at this a few times every week) they seem almost identical except the 50 cal. The 16 though is half the ENY of the 8 though, so I've been flying the 8.

I wish Soda had time to update his page with info on these planes, his info is the Bible for me on how to fly/fight different planes --> I still suck, but thanks to Soda maybe a tiny bit less

Anyway, why does the 16 seem to have 3x the kills of the 8 ?

Thanks.

Ghosth · « **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2007, 08:04:56 AM »

Spit 16 is faster, climbs much better. Its truly a monster of a plane.

Its also a target, given the choice I'll kill the 16 first all other factors being equal.

humble · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2007, 08:11:15 AM »

The 16 has a superior roll rate which isnt shown on the chart. Combine that with the superior acceleration and you have a decided advantage in expert hands. The planes are almost dead even with the 16 having a small edge in just about everything else. So what happens is that between roughly equal pilots its comes down to positioning and throttle work.

However if both pilots are very good then the spit 16's 3 dimensional superiority will come into play. Since the 16 out rolls the 8 by a decent margin and accelerates faster the 16 driver can exploit the 8 threw vertical scissors etc and the 8 driver has nothing beyond his ability to ride the edge in a turning circle to "catch up" {which is all pilot ability}. I prefer the 8 personally but on those rare occasions you run into a gifted 16 driver you've got your hands full....

Lusche · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2007, 08:17:58 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Ghosth
Spit 16 is faster, climbs much better.

This is not true. Both climb about the same. A Spit XVI at 100% fuel takes about 1'45" to get to 5k using WEP.
So does the Spit VIII at 75% which is about the same amount of fuel and flighttime.

Both planes are very close in speed, the Spit 16 being about generally 5mph faster. And if the 16 as any acceleration advantage over the 8, it's not noticeable.

The 16 has 3 advantages over the 8: A much higher speed of roll, .50 cals instead of .303 and a greater payload.

However, to me the 8 seems to be much more stable at slow dogfights.

Karnak · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2007, 10:17:31 AM »

The increased stability and longer legs more than compensate for a faster roll rate for me. Climb and acceleration are functionally the same. Cannons are the real punch on both. I don't carry bombs on a Spitfire.

waystin2 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2007, 11:04:16 AM »

16 does top the 8 to some degree in performance(I love those 50's, as they are a great equalizer). I prefer the 9 and the 16 most of the time and the Seafire if enemy cons are real close to the base. The 8, 9 & Seafire seems to be a stabler gun platforms than the 16. I think it kinda depends on flight style and or conditions in or around your up base.

Latrobe · « **Reply #6 on:** August 24, 2007, 03:32:07 AM »

I've been flying all the spits for a while now and I have to say the 8 handles smoother. The 16 is better at accelerating but can't fly well at slower speeds, unlike the 8. In a 1 on 1, depending on pilot skills, I'd have to say it would be a close match. I did ince get into a 1 on 1 with a spit 8, and what a fight it was. However, due to difference in pilot skills I came out on top. Probly the main reason the 16 has more kills than the 8 is because lots more people fly the Spit 16 more than the Spit8, and a lot more often.

sethipus · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2007, 10:28:40 AM »

This is meant to be a halfway tongue-in-cheek post, so remember that when replying to it.

The Spit 16 has a reputation, along with the Lgay, for being a "dweeb" plane. That is, inexperienced pilots use it as a crutch to stay competitive. Can't say I blame them, but there it is.

That said, the Spit 8 is just about as good, but nobody goes around denigrating the Spit 8 driver's choice of ride, except inasmuch as some people call any Spitfire a dweeb plane.

Also, at 10 ENY instead of 5, you get twice as many perk points per kill in a Spit 8 as you get in a Spit 16. Since they're pretty close to each other in combat effectiveness, that's a pretty good deal.

When I fly a Spitfire, I generally fly a Spit 8. I keep my convergence very short, as in 275-300 yards, and at that range the 4x.303 machine guns do OK. Not great, but OK, and if you're careful to fire short bursts with your cannon and conserve your ammo, there's no reason a Spit 8 can't kill almost any fighter with a 1/2 second burst from 200-400 out.

BiPoLaR · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2007, 01:58:25 PM »

16 is a beast if flown by the right pilot

Bruv119 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2007, 02:26:47 PM »

Both very nice planes to fly but i'll take the Spit 9 over both!

CAP1 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2007, 03:16:01 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Ghosth
Spit 16 is faster, climbs much better. Its truly a monster of a plane.

Its also a target, given the choice I'll kill the 16 first all other factors being equal.

ya know what's funny?
i've been using the 16 in furballs for a couple weeks.......and noticed that in a furball where everyone is simply picking a target of opurtunity, i'd end up with at least 3 to 5 cons chasin me!! i can't shake ONE con off my six yet much less 3 or more......so after reading this, i started using either the 8 or 9........no multiple cons chasin me anymore.......now if only i could get 50 cals in my 9.......