'Late in 1941 RAF fighter pilots began to encounter a new German fighter over France. In initial engagements, this mysterious Luftwaffe aircraft so thoroughly outclassed the best British mount, the newly introduced Spitfire V, that it was creating a serious morale problem. The German plane was, of course, the Focke Wulf 190. RAF pilots were counseled to use the Spitfire's superior turning ability against the Wulf, but this was, at best, a defensive tactic.
Test flying a captured 190 didn't help matters. The more British engineers got to know the Focke Wulf, the more evident its superiority became, and the less likely a rapid answer to this aircraft seemed. An answer was forthcoming, however, and it was surprisingly simple. By installing a more potent Merlin 60 engine into the Spitfire, many of its combat performance deficiencies were overcome. This became the Spit IX. That such an upgrade could be accomplished without significant structural modifications to allow for greater weight and speed is about the best indication of design excellence a combat aircraft can possess.
The Spitfire Mk XI in Air Warrior
The Spitfire dominates the European Theater of Air Warrior. Although the British used a variation of the Spitfire in the Pacific during World War II - a carrier plane called the Seafire - the Spit is available in Europe alone.
Traditional weakness of the Spitfire, such as its limited range and narrow track landing gear, are not a factor in the game. One historic drawback of the plane is relevant; the Spit carries a light ammo load and loses more than 80% of its lethality once half its ammo is gone.
In every aspect of air combat the Spitfire excels. It has a high roll rate, excellent maneuverability, rapid climb rate, good speed, and guns second only to the Focke Wulf for sheer lethality. Although the Spit holds onto energy very well, most pilots use it for turn-and-burn dogfighting - what many Air Warrior players refer to as stallfighting.
Virtues
The Spitfire holds energy better than any fighter in Air Warrior - realism or no realism. It suffers less induced drag than any fighter in Europe, and can boom and zoom brilliantly, though, given its superb dogfighting abilities even under full realism, few pilots choose to do so.
This is one sweet plane to fly. It handles extraordinarily well and can half- loop at speeds as low as 150 knots.
Vices
Only one thing prevents the Spitfire from being the most popular full realism fighter in Europe: ammo load. It's not simply that the Spit has a short clip. Rather, it's the enormous plunge in lethality the Spit suffers after half of its ammo - its cannon shells - is gone. This is why many pilots refer to the Spitfire as the one kill wonder.
Also, many pilots have trouble with blackouts in a Spitfire, owing to its ability to pull high Gs at low speed. Finally, as its speed gets higher, its controls get stiffer until you lose virtually all control over the plane around 450 knots.
The Spitfire in Scenarios
Unlike earlier marks of the Spitfire, the Spit IX has a decent sized fuel tank. It's also a good fighter at very high altitudes - better, in fact, than the Mustang. Its main drawback in scenarios is its fundamental handicap in all other facets of Air Warrior play: too few bullets and cannon shells. Also, its tendency toward control stiffness at high speed puts it at surprising disadvantage against its frequent scenario opponent, the Focke Wulf 190. Many a Spit pilot with plenty of arena experience, and little fear of the Focke Wulf in that realm, has found the situation quite the reverse in scenario play.
Tips
Given the oft mentioned light ammo load, the Spit works best for pilots who are good shots. Although the Spit has a small supply of ammo, its guns are potent, rewarding the sniper rather than the sprayer.
Stay off of the flaps when flying a Spit, except to get over the top on low speed vertical maneuvers. The Spitfire has no maneuvering flap setting, and its flaps down position is intended to create increased drag for landing.
Munitions
Armament Ammo Load Payload
2-.50 cal Machine Guns 500 rounds 1-550 lb. bombs
2-20mm Cannons 240 shells -
Performance
The Spit has good, though not exceptional, speed. Where it excels is in both medium and low speed turning ability, as well as scalded monkey climb rates, up to impressively high altitudes.
Performance Comparison
Only the Me109 can keep up with the Spitfire in a climb. Nothing can match the Spit's sustained turning ability. It has several equals or betters in high speed handling; the Focke Wulf, Mustang, and P-38 are more nimble above 300kts. As for sheer speed, the aforementioned trio of aircraft are faster at most altitudes. '
