Originally posted by FiLtH
To me the spit1, spit5, and spit8 all seem related, and the spit9, 14, and 16 seem related. To me they arent all just spits. More like two variations.
Spit 8, 9 and 16 are related. Spit 8 has the Rolls built Merlin 66. Spit 16 has the Packard built Merlin 266. Same engine, one English built, the other American built. Spit 16 is EXACTLY the same as a clipped wing Spitfire LFIXe with a Merlin 66.
So closest of the two are the 8 and 16 because both have low alt Merlin 66 or 266 engines. The 66 and 266 are two stage Merlins. The differences between the two are the 8 has a full span wing with short span ailerons and retractable tail wheel to go with more fuel as it has wing tanks. So for a longer flight it's the better bird. it also has the 2 20mms and 4 303s vs the 2 20mm and 2 .5mgs of the XVI which has the full span ailerons and clipped wings which give it a better roll rate. It doesn't have the range of the 8 without the wing tanks.
So a Spit 8 with 50 fuel goes a lot further then a Spit 16 with 50 fuel as an example.
In a knock down drag out on the deck fight between the 8 and 16 I think it goes to the better pilot.
The Spit I and Spit V have single stage Merlins.
Spit IX has the higher alt Merlin 61 engine.
Spit 14 is a totally different bird with the Griffon two stage 60 series engine.
