Russian Spit16

[hammer]

For those that didn't see Guppy's "Lets play identify the Spitfire!" thread, here's a Soviet Spit 16. Thought someone might be interested.

[Guppy35]

Actually a Spit LFIXe but that's the same thing as the 16

[hammer]

In order to better fit into the community on this BBS, I am going to argue with you that it is not LFIXe. Heck, LFIXe doesn't even spell anything! Unless it's French - La Fix?

Anyway, clearly it's a Spit16 because that's what I said in my original post. No way you can change my mind, either.

Regards,

h4mm3R

(am I fitting in better?)

[Greebo]

That particular Spit is one that was test flown by the Soviets to establish its performance. As such it has no unit markings, just the stars and the RAF airframe code.

[Krusty]

However, that means it wasn't a combat skin, correct? Not allowed in AH, then?

[Guppy35]

However, that means it wasn't a combat skin, correct? Not allowed in AH, then?

The Russians got a about a thousand LFIXe so I'm sure we can come up with something if a skinner really wants to so a Soviet bird.

[TwinBoom]

[AWwrgwy]

Is this true?:

I am not planning to discuss the history of development of this outstanding aircraft as much was written in numerous sources. I would just mention that 1182 of Mk.IXs were delivered to the Soviet Union. All of them were assigned to air defense units and did not see actual combat.

Saw this statement looking for Russian Spit profiles.  It's rather vague.


wrongway

[Krusty]

It goes along with anecdotal tales that VVS did not like spitfires, prefering other planes instead.

[Guppy35]

It goes along with anecdotal tales that VVS did not like spitfires, prefering other planes instead.

Considering the Fighter Collection at Duxford has a recovered Spit LFIXe from Russia that was lost in combat.....

[Larry]

If you guys can find one that was used in combat missions Id be willing to skin it.





EDIT: Any info about this one?
From WP:

Spitfire LF.Mk.IX
Unit: 26th GvIAP, PVO
Serial: 78
Leningrad VO, USSR, 1945.

[Krusty]

Why didn't anybody ever finish the VVS spit with the white arrow?

[Guppy35]

Why didn't anybody ever finish the VVS spit with the white arrow?

Cause the profile was wrong

That was a Vb anyway

[Krusty]

There was a photo, albeit black and white, and I could distinctly draw lines around where the "arrow" supposedly was. Seemed pretty good evidence to me!

EDIT: not meant to hijack, hehe, my bad!

[Greebo]

The Soviets had mixed feelings WRT Spitfires, they liked the firepower but not the widely spaced guns. The manouverability and ease of flying was good but LW planes could easily escape in a dive. Ground handling was considered very poor on the Soviet front line airfields and spares were a big problem. The early Mk Vs they used in the front line were badly mauled by the LW for the most part.

The Mk IXs had better altitude performance than any Soviet fighter but most of the fighting was done at low altitudes. So it was decided to use them in the PVO regiments. These units were tasked with defending key cities and installations from air attack and had proper airfields with concrete runways. Trouble is, by the time the Spit IXs became operational the long range LW attacks and recon flights had dried up. The front line was soon pushed too far west and the Spits saw little action. Nevertheless they were operational at squadron level for over a year so there is no reason they should not be accepted as a skin. Note that the Soviets did not retire their Spits for several years after the war ended, so they couldn't have hated them that much.

I have submitted a VVS Spit Mk IX skin already and I believe jocko is intending to work on the Spit shown in the profile above.