Originally posted by Nashwan
I've seen the story many times, and it's always a Spitfire XV. There's no such thing as a Spitfire XV, however.
Not entirely true. It's more then likely a typo that should read Spitfire XIV, but it also could have been a Seafire XV which was the Navalized version of the Griffon engined Spit XII. It's entirely possible that a Spitfire Service Test Pilot may have been touring the airbases in this particular version and got into the war of words.
If it was some senior pilot, who'd been off Operations for a bit, it would explain Lowell's 'victory' even easier.
One of the things the Spit pilots had to adjust to with each new version was that it was not the same beast as it got heavier and more powerful. A Spit XIV just because of it's all up weight would not have turned like an IX, just as an IX would not have outturned a Spit V. To try and fly a Spit XIV like an IX or a V would be a mistake and not utilize it's best assets.
On top of Lowell being a great pilot and at the time currant operational pilot, you'd have someone out of the loop for a bit trying to fly an XIV like an IX or V. I've often wondered if the pilot who flew against Lowell had been an operational Spit XIV pilot if the outcome might have been different.
Pete Brothers, who had flown fighters with the RAF since the B of B and was a Spit Wing Commander at the time, talked about how with the XIV you could just stand on your tail and climb up to take on the German fighters. He commented that the German pilots had a hard time getting used to that.
Ginger Lacy, another long time Spit vet, was with 17 Squadron in the Pacific when they transitioned to the XIV from the VIII. While demonstrating some aerobatics over the airfield, he took the XIV into a loop and nearly mushed it into the ground, having not taken into account the greater weight. The XIV was definatly a different beast.
Now if it had been a Seafire XV, it would have been lighter, and a better turner with the single stage Griffon best suited for lower alt. But I'd bet it was an XIV at that point.
Dan/Slack