Spitfires...

[BaldEagl]

...more lift and (hmmmm... )

a LOT more stability when things get really slow.

[moot]

The 16 is still more agile.  It'll spin out sooner but will usualy get at least one shot before then.

[2bighorn]

a LOT more stability when things get really slow.

Whilst on paper, there's not much to chose between VIII and XVI, in one area XVI is considerably better, and that's the roll. It means a world of difference in slow and tight fight.

Also, I'm sure you're aware about relationship between maneuverability and stability.

[Widewing]

I also believe that the SpitVIII is more stable when flirting with a stall, and noticeably less prone to the hated snap-stall into a flat spin routine. The SpitVIII also turns smaller, quicker circles than the SpitXVI. That said, the SpitXVI's ability to change lift vectors much faster than the Mk.VIII gives it the better chance for a killing shot before stability enters the equation.

Either one is a killer...

My regards,

Widewing

[BaldEagl]

Not arguing manouverability (although the VIII's still not bad).  Moot simply couldn't find another advantage that the VIII had over the XVI so I pointed one out. 

When the stall buzzer is blaring in your ear you can pull the VIII much further into the buffet than the XVI without fear of a snap-roll or loss of stability, and at that speed the XVI's roll advantage is lost.  It's pretty hard to utilize roll-rate effectively when you can barely control the direction of the lift vector to keep you in flight, at least on or near the deck.

[2bighorn]

Depends what you're looking for in a fighter. I like XVI's instability and I like how XVI snaps. It can be thrown around like there's no tomorrow. Roll, don't mention it. As WW pointed out, It can be used to rapidly change lift vector.
VIII is so much more stable it almost feels like flying through cement.

I'd say VIII is good choice for less experienced pilots, XVI will shine in the right hands tho...

[Anaxogoras]

1.)  None of the Spits should dogfight, leave it to the Zero and sometimes F4U's.

[Noir]

Well, being the long-time Spit guy that I am here's the (partial) lowdown:

In terms of turn rate (best to worse):  Spit I, Spit V, Spit IX, Seafire, Spit VIII, Spit XVI, Spit XIV
In terms of speed (fastest to slowest):  Spit XIV, Spit XVI, Spit VIII, Spit IX, Seafire, Spit V, Spit I

The I has 8x.303's.  The XIV and XVI have 2x20's and 2x50's.  The others all have 2x20's and 4x.303's.

The XVI rolls the best but it is the worst stall-fighter as it's not as stable as the others, but once you get used to where the instability is it's just fine.  The XIV is also bad but it wasn't designed for stall-fighting.

Every one of them is a fine ride in the LW MA's, including the lowly, oft-forgotten Spit I.

I totally second that, a spit9 will own both spit8 and 16 in an all out turnfight, it just feels like it has more lifft than a 16 and less weight than a spit8. The seafire is good but will suffer from it's heavier wings at some point. I have no data to prove this, its just an observation as a spitIX pilot