Spit 8 or Spit 9

[Yarbles]

I am not sure as they both have their merits

Spit 8 I think is a bit faster and a better climber on wep although over 20k the 9 is better. It also has longer range but then you need to drain the wings or it doesn't roll so well.

Spit 9 20eny and you don't have to mess about with wing tanks.Obviously the 16 is too dweebish and the 14 is not dweebish enough.

I want to fly spits before anyone starts. 
 

[Kazaa]

If I'm not flying the XVI then I'll be in the IX. The IX can be a real XVI killer.

[BaldEagl]

If I'm not in the XVI then it's the IX for me with the V a close second.  IX and V are the classic Spits and the handling of the IX is far better than the VIII.

[TonyJoey]

IX all the way. Performs similar to the V with more engine power and ammo, enough gas (with DT) to get to a good furball and back. ENY is 20 compared to 10 in the 8. Also, as BE said, it's a classic Spitfire. That's why I take the IX.

[Guppy35]

The Spitfire VIII and XVI are both LF Spits meaning their Merlins were rated for medium to low alt.  Our Spitfire IX is an F IX meaning the Merlin was rated for medium to high alt.

If the Spit IX we had was an LF IX I'd say the IX would be preferable to the VIII but with the VIII being an LF version it's a better bet in terms of performance and the extra fuel in the wing tanks doesn't hurt.

Remember when you are in an XVIe you are in a bird that is exactly the same as an LFIXe outside of the Merlin being a Packard produced Merlin 266 vs the Rolls Merlin 66.  Same performance, came off the same production lines.  Only way to tell them apart is the serial number

As for 'classic" Spits.  Jeffrey Quill, Supermarine test pilot considered the VIII the best of the Merlin Spits.  The IX, although the number was after VIII was really an interim version.  As production continued it got the updates the VIII had for the most part.  The VIII was specific for overseas use too so it was 'tropicalized' while the IX and XVI were for "Home use only" meaning the ETO.

[Amsoil21]

IX   Truly awesome

[Squire]

Another reason you might think the IX handles slightly better than the VIII is because the VIII carries more internal fuel. With equal fuel they are very close, with the VIII having more h.p.

[BMathis]

I cannot hit a thing in the XIII.  I only fly the IX, and fly it pretty often. Pink is my favorite color (on the plane of course). 

[Saxman]

They both fall apart under a burst of .50cal just as nicely.

[Enker]

XIV is faster and has similar performance to other spits.

[Kazaa]

XIV is faster and has similar performance to other spits.

Erm no.

[Enker]

Erm no.

It does to me. It is different from the Yak I normally fly at least. It feels steadier in tight turns.