Spitfire XIV is more manoeuvrable than the Spitfire VIII in turns at all heights

[FLOOB]

That's a quote from this document. Also note that it states turning circle of the spit14 is identical to that of the spit9

http://www.spitfireperformance.com/spit14afdu.html

[Citabria]

The elevator control of the Spitfire XIV was found to be much heavier than that of the Spitfire VIII, unpleasantlly so, and the other controls felt to be slightly heavier than on previous Spitfire Mks. In spite of heavier controls the Spitfire XIV is more manoeuvrable than the Spitfire VIII in turns at all heights. Spins were carried out in the Spitfire XIV at 25,000 feet. The aircraft did not spin voluntarily but had to be put into and held in the spin. Instead of spinning in the normal nose down attitude, the nose of the aircraft oscillated from an almost verticle position downwards to a position with the nose well above the horizon, so that the aircraft was tail down. It spent most of its time in this flat position from which, after four turns, recovery was fast by the normal method or slower if the controls were released. It never appears to become uncontrollable.

Conclusions- Of the two aircraft the Spitfire VIII is preferable at all heights up to about 25,000 feet except for its turning capabilites. It is much lighter on the elevators and easier for the average pilot to fly. Its performance and fuel consumption are better. The Spitfire XIV is superior above 25,000 and with its better turning characteristics it is more than a match for the Spitfire VIII. The difficulties of trimming will probably be reduced as pilots gain familiarity.

[bustr]

This page has been updated as more WW2 data became available to the owner of the WEB Site. This article linked has been updated recently because I re-read it about every 6 months.

The K4 1.8 ata is faster in level flight then the MkXIV +18 at AH LWMA furball alts. But, the climb chart appears to have changed since I last looked at it about 6 months ago. MkXIV performance data is known from direct testing. Most of the 109 K4 performance testing is known only from projected ww2 best case engineering modeling which seems to be what's modeled in our game. If you pull up the AH chart XIV vs K4 WEP climb performance. It no longer matches the current chart in the article below if 1.8 ata and 18+ are the equivalent of our WEP.

Spitfire Mk XIV versus Me 109 G\K

http://www.spitfireperformance.com/spit14v109.html

[FLOOB]

The document says that the spit14, altough less well behaved, has the same turning circle as a spit9 and turns better than a spit8. In AH from what I've observed it does not. But could it really have turned so well in real life? Yes it had the same wing but the spit14 weighs, what 700lbs more? Did it have enough extra HP to compensate for the extra weight and retain the turn radius of the spit9? Or has AH got it right and the document is war time disinfo?

edit:
I notice they you have to shorten the subject field when posting in this thread because I made the subject title of the thread so long. Tee hee 

[bustr]

Now that I don't have a target on my back and the XIV's to waste in the game. I found that when you get enough fuel burnt out you start flying like a spit8. Then it's time to RTB bingo fuel. I hope it's just a fad that will pass but, it also seems like at the moment every jackwad in a spit16 needs to single your XIV out from the crowd and prove you ain't chit. And you ain't if you have much of a fuel load.

Try taking it out with 100% and the slipper tank. Burn the wing tanks first. Then the rest of the way to the furball on the slipper tank. At which point put on an egg timer for 8 minutes and watch the fuel gauge swing from right to left before your eyes. The performance report recommended the 90gal slipper tank to give the XIV similar range to the spit8.

[The Fury]

lol yeah you can visibly see the fuel needle moving when you put wep on it moves faster    scary  

[Franz Von Werra]

spit8 and a spit14 whats the difference? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=UmEf3d3D7Z0&feature=fvwp