Can you produce evidence that a Spitfire XVI actually engaged in air combat with German aircraft?
Wading through the histories of 602 and 603 Squadrons, both operating the XVI from November 44 until the end of the war, there are no encounters. They drop lots of bombs on V2 and V-1 sites, but don't shoot baduns in the air outside of the just lifting off V-2 now and then.
I'm wondering if the Spit guys can find an example of the XVI downing a German aircraft. I suppose the Polish Wings might have done it. 74 Squadron maybe, and possibly the Candians. But so far there is little to indicate aircombat between the XVI and the Luftwaffe historically.
So my curiosity is up to prove once in for all if the Spit XVI actually shot another plane down.